Service Information
Howard “Skip” P. Quade, Jr., age 89, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson, with interment at a later date in Oakland Cemetery in Hutchinson.
Obituary
Howard “Skip” Paul Quade, Jr. was born on August 25, 1935, in Hutchinson, Minnesota. He was the son of Howard and Carol (Howard) Quade, Sr. Skip was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in his faith as a youth. He received his education in Hutchinson, and was a graduate of the Hutchinson High School Class of 1953. Skip furthered his education at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, receiving his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1957.
Skip entered active military service in the United States Army National Guard on July 26, 1958, in Hutchinson and served his country during peace time. He reenlisted into the United States Air Reserve on December 28, 1959, and served until he received his Honorable Discharge on June 30, 1962, and achieved the rank of Airman Second Class.
On June 25, 1960, Skip was united in marriage to Roberta “Bobbi” Bradford in Moose Lake, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with two sons, Kirk and Jon. They resided in Hutchinson. Skip and Bobbi shared 30 years of marriage prior to Bobbi’s passing on September 9, 1990.
Skip worked for the family business, and later owned Quade Incorporated, eventually expanding both the sporting goods and electrical businesses. He retired in 2004. As a former Mr. Hutchinson, Skip was a strong advocate for the Community of Hutchinson. His many contributions to the city of Hutchinson include community projects such as the Farmer’s Market, Hutchinson Hockey Arena, McLeod County Veterans Park, fundraising for local facilities and promoting the downtown business district, as well as supporting youth sports and activity programs. Skip was an advocate for wildlife conservation and was a lifetime member of the Gopher Campfire Conservation Club. He was also involved in the Masons, Elks Club, Ridgewater College Foundation, McLeod County 4-H, Twin Point Gun Club, and a life member of the NRA.
Skip enjoyed being outdoors, gardening, hunting, and fishing at their cabin in Canada. He also enjoyed watching sports and collecting firearms. Skip cherished spending time with his family, grandchildren and friends.
Skip passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, at the age of 89 years.
Blessed be his memory.
Skip is survived by his:
Son, Kirk Quade and his wife, Christine of Hutchinson, MN;
Granddaughters, Kelsey Quade of Minneapolis, MN;
Cassidy Cross Linder and her husband, Andrew of Bemidji, MN,
Great-grandson, Jack Linder;
Enduring Companion, Joanne Stearns of Hutchinson, MN and her children and grandchildren;
Nephews, Brad Thompson and his wife, Cristina of Illinois,
Scott Bradford and his wife, Lynn of Victoria, MN,
Bart Bradford and his wife, Melissa of Hutchinson, MN;
Nieces, Tracy Anderson and her husband, Michael of Whitefish, MT,
Cody McCarthy and her husband, Richard of Whitefish, MT;
Great nieces and nephews, Finlay and Darby McCarthy, Isabelle and Tyler Anderson, Niaiara, Alexander, and Christopher Thompson;
Many other relatives and friends.
Skip is preceded in death by his Parents, Howard and Carol Quade, Sr.; Wife, Roberta “Bobbi” Quade; Son, Jon Quade; Sisters, Honey (Jim) Thompson and Jane Quade.
Donna (Ondracek) Engelen says
My sympathies Kirk and family. A life well lived! Our family had some great times with your dad and memories were made. To Joanne- Cherish all the good times and bless you for ALL you did for Skip. It did not go unnoticed by anyone. Hugs to all of you. I’m sure it’s quite the reunion going on!
John and Linda Kalenberg says
Our deepest sympathy to the family…we will miss our visits with Skip and being a great neighbor and friend.
He enjoyed our daughter, Heather, baking and bringing Skip her home made chocolate chip cookies and hearing how deer hunting went each year….she shared her husbands, Darren’s, home made venison chili with Skip and was always a treat.
We will miss you and your stories Skip…
Love John and Linda Kalenberg
Heather and Darren Bourget
WALT AND LYNNE CLAY says
Kirk and family,
Our sympathies to you on Skip’s passing. He had a long battle but he finally reached the top of the mountain.
Many great memories of many hunting trips to Colorado and skiing trips with all of the families and friends that are not with us anymore.
Cheers to Joanne for all of the many years of good times and bad. You were a wonderful partner and care giver.
Thank you “Monty” as I called you for all of the wonderful memories.
Walt and Lynne Clay
Montecito, CA
Judy Beatty says
To Kirk and family and Joanne and family! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
John and Linda Kalenberg says
Our deepest sympathy to the family
John and I always enjoyed our visits with Skip and listening to the great stories he shared…Skip enjoyed our daughter, Heathers home made chocolate chip cookies and the venison meat and chili that her husband, Darren made.
Our family will miss him as a friend and neighbor.
Tina Mcillan says
Sympathies to your family. Oh how Skip could make you laugh. He was a great story teller.
Hugs to you all. What a great life. You will be missed
Matt & Tina McMillan
MICHAEL SPLITTGERBER says
Kirk, I am sorry to learn of Skip’s passing. Will miss our animated discussions of the value of the goods we collected and the opposing positions on just what was the best thing to collect. Further, I can see him trying to convince St. Peter to allow the firing of the waterfront salute cannon he blew the dust out of at our yearly Gopher Campfire Outings. I am sure his big hunting dog buddy, Thunder, also met him at The Gates. Skip, I will miss your serious advice and counsel, my Friend.
Scott Prochnow says
Dear Quade Family,
Our condolences on the passing of Skip. There are many great memories from my child hood of Skip and Bobbi with all of our parents – skiing, at the lake, the golf course, Twin Point, Quades Ski Shop, Saturday ski busses to Powder Ridge!
Skip hired me at a trap shoot club, about 12 years old, to manually load clay pigeons in the launch machine, sitting in a little hut. If I was a little slow the machine would fire off with out a clay pigeon and scare the heck out of me! When the round of shooters were done I would wave a white flag and wait for Skip to holler “all clear, c’mon out”!
Thank you for great Hutchinson family memories.
Scott Prochnow
Mike Connor says
My sympathy to Skip’s family…..he was one of the first folks who welcomed me to Hutch when I was transferred there in June ’66….he was a strong supporter of the institution of Elks Lodge #2427 in Nov ’69 and a total ‘American Gentleman’…..may he rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon him.
Lori and Brian Kaping says
Quade family please accept our heartfelt condolences. Skip was a wonderful man who will be missed.