Anthony J. "Tony" Skaja, 71Lake LillianSt. CloudSeptember 2, 1945 - July 4, 2017Anthony J. "Tony" Skaja, 71, of rural Lake Lillian, died Tuesday, July 4th at Bethesda Grand in Willmar. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am, Tuesday at Church of St. Mary in Willmar. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm, Monday at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar and continue one hour prior to his service at the church. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Kandiyohi. Memorials are preferred to Rice Memorial Hospice- Sentimental Journey. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.orgAnthony Joseph Skaja was born on September 2, 1945, in St. Cloud to Louis and Leona (Zabinski) Skaja. He grew up in the St. Cloud area where he attended St. Cloud Tech, graduating in 1963. Following graduation Tony enlisted in the US Navy where he served for two years on the USS Freemont. Following active duty, Tony served in the Naval Reserve for one and a half years and received honorable discharge.On November 22, 1969, Tony was united in marriage to Doris Weber at St. John's Cantius Catholic Church. To this union five children were born. Following their marriage, Tony and Doris lived in Willmar until 1977, when they moved to their home in rural Lake Lillian.Tony worked as a utility man for Bell Telephone, US West, AT&T, Lucent and Nokia companies. He worked as a private telecommunications contractor for the Minneapolis Star and Tribune until he retired from the telecommunications industry in 2004. In 2004, he started the job he absolutely loved, being a School Bus Driver. He enjoyed getting to know the children on his bus route.  He offered a safe journey for students by instilling order, discipline, and respect for each other.Tony was very active at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. He served on the Parish Board, Cemetery Board, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Order of Foresters and the Chairman for St. Patrick's Annual Ham Dinner. In the community, he was member of the American Legion Post #167, where he called Bingo every Thursday night for many years.He enjoyed watching any sports but especially enjoyed watching the Twins. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, sausage making, and watching all of the High School Tournaments. He was a talented quilter and embroiderer. Making quilts for his grandchildren and embroidering dish towels for his children, nieces and nephews. Tony was a loving father and grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with his family and especially spending time with them at the cabin on Pleasant Lake.Tony is survived by his wife, Doris, children: Michelle (Aarron) Reinert of Isanti, Carol (John) Goebel of Mapleton, Allen (Amanda) Skaja of Lakewood CO, Tom (Carmen) Skaja of St. Cloud and Kevin (Tracy) Skaja of Bemidji; and seven grandchildren. He is also survived by his two sisters: Joanne (Al) Thul and Connie (Joe) Viere, and sister in-law Bonnie Skaja.He was preceded in death by his parents, stillborn daughter, Catherine Skaja; grandson, Steven Duncan Skaja; and brothers, Jim and Walter Skaja.