Henry was born on February 9, 1925, the son of Joseph and Alice Columbus Skala. He attended St. Josephs School and graduated from Lafayette High School in 1943.

On January 5, 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy and advanced to the rank of Motor Machinists Mate Second Class, serving on a Gunboat in the final two years of WWII in the Pacific Theatre. He was given an Honorable Discharge April 30, 1946 and returned to Red Lake Falls to farm with his father. Henry married Beverly Scheiblauer of Minneapolis in 1947. They were the parents of four children.

Henry was a member of St. Josephs Catholic Church of Red Lake Falls, the American Legion Post 22, the Red Lake Falls Saddle Club and a board member of the Red Lake County Cooperative for many years. Henry dearly loved his grandchildren, and attended of all their games and horse activities, his valuable support were his happiest times. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. Family and friends will forever cherish his numerous works of art, the iron sculptures that he built in the farm machine shop, using the forge and his welding tools. He loved working in the woods along the Red Lake River on the farm property.

Henry married Erma Perreault on October 10, 1969. She passed away September 27, 2000. Survivors are his sons, Joseph Skala and Eugene (Judy) Skala and daughters, Kathleen Skala, and Karen (Mike) Knott, all of Red Lake Falls, MN. Grandchildren, Elizabeth, Anna, Adam, and Natasha Skala, Kristin, Ben, and Christopher Knott, also three sisters, Anne Healy of Red Lake Falls, MN, Isabelle Booth of Portland, Oregon, and Evelyn Richards of Park City, Utah, along with many nieces and nephews, step children, Donald (Judy) Perreault of Crookston, MN, Jim (Lorraine) Perreault of Lakeville, MN, Tom (Charlene) Perreault of Georgetown, Texas, Marlys (Jerry) Scheifert of Hopkins, MN, and Diane (Steve) Schall of Eden Prairie, MN, and eleven step-grandchildren.

His parents preceded him in death.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.johnsonfuneralservice.net

Military Honors by the Red Lake Falls American Legion Post #22