Howard “Skip” P. Quade Jr., 89, of Hutchinson passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson. Gathering of Family and Friends was held Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 3 – 6 p.m.. at Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson with interment at in Oakland Cemetery. Howard “Skip” Paul Quade Jr. was born on August 25, 1935, in Hutchinson. 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 Hutchinson High School, class of 1953. Skip furthered his education at Macalester College in St. Paul, 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. 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 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.
Blessed be his memory. Skip is survived by his son, Kirk Quade and his wife Christine of Hutchinson; granddaughters, Kelsey Quade of Minneapolis, Cassidy Cross Linder and her husband Andrew of Bemidji, great-grandson, Jack Linder; enduring companion Joanne Stearns of Hutchinson and her children and grandchildren; nephews, Brad Thompson and his wife Cristina of Illinois, Scott Bradford and his wife Lynn of Victoria, Bart Bradford and his wife Melissa of Hutchinson; nieces, Tracy Anderson and her husband Michael of Whitefish, Mont., Cody McCarthy and her husband Richard of Whitefish; 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. Arrangements by Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson. Online obituaries and guestbook available www.hantge.com.
