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In memory of

Daniel Christian Skeem

Boise, ID, USA

April 27, 1946 - August 7, 2018

Apr 27, 1946 - Aug 7, 2018

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Daniel Christian Skeem Sr, 72, passed away peacefully in his Boise home on Tuesday August 7, 2018, surrounded by family. Dan was born April 27, 1946 in Stockton, California to Wayne and Mary Lou Skeem. Dan grew up in Idaho and Nevada with Wayne and Arlene Skeem who raised him as her son from age 5.

Upon graduation of high school in 1964 Dan attended several universities including BYU, BSU and the University of Arizona. He was a good student, receiving Dean’s list recognition during his college years, but life and love called and he found himself traveling throughout Idaho, Nevada, California and Oregon working with principals of corporate farms and ranches concerning land cultivation, crop production and harvesting. During these travels he reconnected with his high school girlfriend Patti, whom he married and lived with until her death soon after. He then met his second wife Wendy, they had two children during a brief marriage. Later he met Darlene, they were married 14 years and had four children together.

Inventor and Entrepreneur, Dan founded several companies throughout his life. He helped design and implement the first independent hydroelectric power station on his private property and held the honor of being the first individual in Idaho to sell hydroelectric power back to Idaho Power. Later in life he followed in his father’s footsteps and patented gate operating technology that is still in use today.

Dan was a talented basketball player in his youth and received state and national athletic recognition. He loved sharing his passion for the game with his kids and teaching them proper free throw form. You could find him competing against men half his age in free throw contests in Salt Lake City tournaments throughout his 40s and often took home 1st place.

Dan possessed a love of learning, deep thinking and introspection. He loved reading and had an extensive and eclectic library of books and studied deeply the fields of engineering, mechanics, power systems, and agriculture among other topics. He devoted much of his life to finding meaning in this life and the life beyond. He was also a talented writer of poetry and had a great sense of humor which often came across in his letters and short stories.

Dan possessed a great capacity for love and compassion for others which was often demonstrated through his actions towards those less fortunate and his trusting nature. As a result he was loved and will be missed by many.

Dan is survived by his wife, Candie Sacayanan-Skeem; his seven children including Dusty (Cindy), Irene (Daniel), Jacob (Heather), Danny (Kristi), Sarah (Dave), Christal (Nathan) and Juliana (Nate); his mother Arlene Skeem; his siblings Tom (Jill) Skeem, Rob (Laurie) Atkins, Cindra (Terry) Eardley, Jill (Mckay) Lundgren, Rebecca (Konstantine) Savchin, brother-in-law Leslie Payne; his 24 grandchildren as well as many beloved relations, friends and loved ones.

Dan was preceded in death by his father Wayne Bishop Skeem; his mother and stepfather, Mary Lou and George Atkins; his younger sister Lori (1962), younger brother Christian (2012) and older sister Susan Skeem-Payne (2015); as well as his first wife Patti.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 25, 2018 at Sunset Memorial Park in Twin Falls, ID.

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