Velarie "Val" J. Sax

Velarie J. (Skalsky) Sax, of Moorhead, MN, died Sunday, December 23, 2018, at Eventide on Eighth in Moorhead.

Val was born in Ada, MN, on August 1, 1928, to Edward and Ellen (Gunnerson) Skalsky. After graduation from high school, she attended school for the airlines specializing in teletype. She then went to work for Northwest Airlines at LaGuardia Airport in New York City. While working at LaGuardia, she met the love of her life, Jim Sax. They were married October 17, 1947, in Ada and made their home in Moorhead for 71 years.

She enjoyed playing cards with her friends at the Hjemkomst Center and at River Point Assisted Living Center in Moorhead. She also enjoyed crocheting, sewing, making her last quilt at age 87, knitting, square dancing, gardening, collecting glassware. For many summers, she and Jim enjoyed fishing and camping at South Turtle Lake.

She had a special talent for decorating wedding cakes and loved the challenge of creating special theme cakes. Her beautiful cakes graced many reception tables for 50 plus years. Grandchildren and great grandchildren loved playing games, coloring and reading stories with her and most of all baking cookies.

She is survived by her three children, Sandy (Tom) Payne, Fargo, Ed (Kim) Sax, Montevideo, MN, and Nancy (Don) Harrington, Northfield, MN; grandchildren, Scott (Becky) Payne, Dilworth, Dustin (Courtney) Payne, Fargo, Stacey (Jason) Sax-Schwartz, Pennock, MN, Patrick (Amy) Harrington, Minneapolis, MN, Adam Harrington, Coon Rapids, MN; great-grandchildren, Gunnar Payne, Reile Payne, McKenna Payne, Parker Harrington, Kaia Harrington, Reese Harrington, Ashton Harrington and Liv Harrington.

Val was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; parents; sister and brother-in-law, Ethel and Barney Mariska.

Our family would like to extend a special thank you to Katie, her Hospice nurse, for the warm and caring manner she gave Mom; Pastor Vickie for her spiritual guidance; and Lisa, her Hospice social worker, who was always there when we really needed her; the staff at River Pointe for their support and caring presence, and all of Mom's friends who cared so deeply for her.

**NOTICE TIME CHANGE**
A Visitation for Velarie will be one hour prior to her service.

Her Memorial Service will be Saturday, December 29, 2018, at 2 PM in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.

Burial will be in Moorhead Memorial Gardens, Moorhead.