Wayne Skillings

Wayne “Smurf” Ernest Skillings, age 70, of Long Prairie, passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at St. Cloud Hospital, surrounded by family.
A memorial service took place on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Long Prairie. Burial followed at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Long Prairie.
Wayne Ernest Skillings was born on October 13, 1955, the son of Ernest and Mavis (Maland) Skillings of Bertha, Minnesota. Wayne graduated from Long Prairie High School. Somewhere along the way, a longtime friend gave him the nickname “Smurf,” and it stuck for the rest of his life.
Wayne was previously married, and although that marriage ended, he was blessed with two children, Richard and Christopher. As fate would have it, the very friend who had given him his lifelong nickname had a sister and in 1987, Wayne married Sandra Wolbeck in Sisseton, North Dakota. Sandy brought two children of her own, Judy and Jason, into the marriage, and together Wayne and Sandy had Ryan. Wayne and Sandy blended their families and went on to share 39 blessed years of marriage, filled with love, laughter, and plenty of adventures along the way.
Smurf was a tenacious guy from the start, with a mischievous streak that never seemed to fade. A lifelong prankster, he loved nothing more than sharing a good laugh and bringing a smile to someone else’s face. He knew when to be serious, but he also believed that life was hard enough, so you might as well have a little fun whenever you could. Whether he was teasing someone, pulling a prank, or simply sharing a story, you could always count on Smurf to keep things interesting.
The great outdoors was where Smurf felt most at home. He spent countless hours fishing and hunting with Sandy and their friends, making memories and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. He was always willing to share his knowledge, teach someone a new skill, or strike up a conversation about his favorite hobbies. Smurf especially enjoyed encouraging younger generations to get outside and experience all that nature had to offer. If he could spark an interest in fishing, hunting, or the outdoors and keep someone from spending all their time in front of a screen or getting into trouble, he considered that a win. Anything outdoors was truly his cup of tea.
His love for nature extended to his garden, where he enjoyed growing vegetables and flowers. Wayne could often be found in the kitchen, canning the vegetables he had grown or making homemade sausage. And wherever Wayne went, his beloved dog, Daisy, was never far behind, faithfully following him like a shadow.
Following high school, Wayne began a 23 year career at the Long Prairie Packing Plant. He later went to work at the Long Prairie High School, where he spent more than 20 years. The school turned out to be a perfect fit for his outgoing personality. He genuinely enjoyed being around the students, visiting with them, sharing a laugh, and, of course, doing a little good-natured teasing whenever the opportunity presented itself. Smurf had a special way of connecting with people, and his playful personality made him someone others enjoyed being around.
Behind the jokes, pranks, and quick wit was a man with an enormous heart. Smurf was always willing to share his time, his knowledge, and a little laughter with those around him. His mischievous smile, generous spirit, and unforgettable sense of humor will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Wayne passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the St. Cloud Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Sandy; children Richard (Mary) Skillings of Alexandria, Christopher (Kristi Peterson) Skillings of Silver Lake, Judy (Jose Fabian) Bierschbach of Melrose, Jason (Tovia Bowman) Bierschbach of Melrose, Ryan (Cassie) Skillings of Brandon; 14 grandchildren 3 great-grandchildren; siblings Kurt (Kirsten) Skillings, LaDonna (Robert) Neuman, Lanette (Brian) Korteum; and many dear friends with whom he loved to hunt, fish, and get into shenanigans with.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Mavis Skillings and brothers, James Skillings and Dale Skillings.