Michael Edward Skala, 78, of Tama passed away Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family following a lengthy illness. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 10:30 AM at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with Father Michael McAndrew as celebrant. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Tama. Visitation will be held Monday, February 28, 2022, from 5-7 PM at Saint Patrick Catholic Church with a Vigil Service at 7 PM.

Mike was born February 13, 1944 to Edward and Genevieve (Zmolek) Skala in Toledo, Iowa. He lived for three years on a farm in rural Garwin then the family moved to Tama, where he spent the next 75 years. Michael attended Saint Patrick's school through the eighth grade. Then attended Tama High School, where he played football, basketball and track. He graduated in 1962.

Following graduation, Mike farmed with his dad. They milked a set of registered Jersey cows, farrowed Tamworth sows and had row-crops. From 1964 to 1970, he served in the US Army Reserves. Traveling back & forth to trainings in Des Moines yielded some of Mike's best stories. After, Mike returned home to farm with his dad. In 1972, they sold the milk cows & switched the operation over to beef cattle.

On December 13, 1975, he was united in marriage to Jackie Smith at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Tama. Soon after they were married, Mike's parents moved off the family farm to an acreage across the road. Mike & Jackie made their home on the east side of Tama where they have resided for 46 years. They worked together to purchase the family farm and raised cattle, corn, hay and two children. He also worked for Tama Paperboard for more than twenty years.

Mike yearly volunteered with the Avenue of Flags at Saint Patrick's and Oak Hill Cemeteries. He was a forty plus year member of the American Simmental Association, Iowa Simmental Associations, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Tama. He loved tending to his Simmental cattle, driving his Oliver tractor and 'touring' Tama's rural countryside in his old farm pickup.

Celebrating his life are his wife of forty-six years, Jackie Skala of Tama, daughter & son-in law, Kellie & Jason Carolan of Tama and son, Shane Skala of Story City; two grandchildren, Payton and Chase Skala.

In death he rejoined his parents; his four brothers, Al Zmolek, Leon Zmolek, Larry Skala and Patric Skala; his two sisters, Mary Jo Baker and Nancy Cunningham.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Saint Patrick's Catholic Church or Tama County 4-H. Or if you are able, please donate blood to your local blood bank.

The family extends a special thank you to the Grinnell Regional Medical, Mission One: Medical Oncology & Hematology and Iowa River Hospice staff for their exceptional care.