On the evening of Saturday, September 17, 2022, a precious and loved 8-year-old boy left this world to be with Jesus.  Ian Thomas Skaar passed away at the Aspirus Merrill Hospital as a result of an automobile collision.  Ian was born on April 28, 2014, to Thomas and Leah (Tengler) Skaar in Wausau. He lived a happy life on the family farm in Gleason. Ian was a 3^rd grade student at St. John. He was a happy boy that spent as much time as he could in the dirt and on anything with wheels!  Ian was driving tractor since he was 4 years old, and soon upgraded to a cab tractor with wagons. His parents remember Ian as an energetic, loving kid with a love for the outdoors, enjoying bike rides with friends or playing his Nintendo. He loved playing with his remote-control cars and was very good with the farm chores and loved doing them, a future farmer for sure! Ian was a cuddler, was silly and funny, very smart, and great at memorizing numbers.  Julia, his sister, remembers Ian as a sweet brother and liked to play outside with him and work on Lego projects.  Ian loved knee boarding, downhill skiing, swimming, and jumping off the highest high dive at the Bierman Aquatic Center.  He was on the Merrill Wrestling and Baseball teams and looked forward to hanging out with his friends at games and practice.  Ian also liked to watch stock car racing and loved animals, especially his fish and his guinea pig, “Fleetika”.  Where there would be a four-wheeler, minibike, a tractor, or any piece of equipment, you could find Ian there.  He was a member of the Prairie River Eagles 4-H Club, as well as a member of Children’s Church at Luther Memorial Church in Gleason.  Ian has left a mark in the hearts and minds of his friends and family, memories of him will never fade, his love, energy and innocence will live on.

Ian leaves behind his mom and dad: Thomas and Leah (Tengler) Skaar, his big sister: Julia, maternal grandma: Lynn Jacob, maternal grandpa: Steve (Kim) Tengler, paternal grandma: Cynthia (Dave) Lambrecht, paternal grandpa: John (BoniBiermier) Skaar, many aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as good friends, classmates, and teammates.

The funeral service for Ian will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at 11:00 am at St. John Lutheran Church in Merrill.  Pastor Greg Laska and Rev. David Szeto will co-officiate.  A visitation will be held on Friday, September 30, 2022, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Waid Funeral Home, and again on Saturday, October 1, 2022, from 9:00 am until the time of the service, at the church.  Burial will take place at the Gleason Cemetery after the luncheon at the church. There will be an opportunity for the public to paint a memorial rock in memory of Ian at the funeral home Friday evening.  You may take the rock with you or leave it at the funeral home to be given to the family after the service. The service will be livestreamed for those unable to attend, and then will be posted as a recording for future viewing. This can be found under his obituary on the funeral home website. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a future memorial fund in loving memory of Ian. The family of Ian cannot express the amount of appreciation and gratitude they have towards the many people who have been showing their love and support for them, in so many ways.  Thank you. Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.