Dave & Barb Skogen Sculpture
Tribute to a lifetime of service

A THANK YOU to Dave and Barb Skogen
Some people leave their mark on a community through the businesses they build. Others leave it through the people they inspire, the places they create, and the generosity they share. And then there are those rare individuals whose lives become woven into the very fabric of the community they call home. This would be Dave and Barb Skogen.
For generations, this couple and their family have been part of our city’s story. Born and raised here, as were their parents and grandparents before them, their roots run deep in this community. Their story is one of family, hard work, entrepreneurship, service, and an enduring belief in giving back.
Together, they took over the family IGA grocery store from their father and built a life centered not only around their business, but around their family and their community. They raised two children here and became familiar faces throughout the city—people who were always willing to participate, contribute, and lend their support to causes that mattered.
Dave and Barb’s entrepreneurial journey eventually led them to an even greater chapter of success as they developed Festival Foods into a growing family business, establishing stores throughout the Midwest. Their accomplishments in business are remarkable, but their legacy extends far beyond financial success.
They have chosen to share that success generously with the community that helped shape them. That’s just who dave and Barb are.
Through their philanthropy and servant leadership, they have supported organizations and projects that make our city a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Their generosity has helped strengthen the Boys & Girls Club, our Community Center, and two beautiful city parks, just to name a few. Most notably, they donated the beautiful park that will now become the home of this sculpture.
Today, in their 80s, their lives represent something much larger than a successful business story. They represent generations of family, the rewards of hard work, the importance of service, and the profound difference that generosity can make in a community.
This bronze sculpture is intended to honor that legacy.
Placed in a park they so generously gave to our city, these figures will stand not only as a tribute to two extraordinary people, but as a reminder to all who visit of what it means to invest in a community—and in the generations that follow.
Their story began here. Their family history is here. Their generosity has helped shape this place.
And now, through this sculpture, a small part of their story will remain here for generations to come. A big thank you to Dave and Barb Skogen!
Help us bring this new sculpture to Dash Park by a donation, large or small….as every little bit is just a small thank you from all of us to Dave and Barb!

Onalaska Art Keepers
PO Box 573
Onalaska, WI 54650
info@onalaskaartkeepers.com







