Niles P. Van Blaricom

Niles P. Van Blaricom, age 70, of Menomonie, WI, passed away Sunday, August 9, 2026 peacefully surrounded by his family after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Niles was born December 25, 1955, in Amery, WI, to Wayne and Marie (Engebretson) Van Blaricom. He was the youngest of six children. Niles graduated from Menomonie High School in 1974 and went on to graduate from CVTC.

He began his career in auto body work before moving into poured wall foundations for basements. He spent more than 40 years working with Accurate Construction. Following his retirement, Niles worked part-time delivering parts for Auto Value in Menomonie.

Niles married Linda Skjegstad in 1976, and together they had one son, Mitchell.

Niles enjoyed spending time at the cabin he built in the Birchwood, WI, area with his brother Douglas and the help of friends. The cabin became a place where he could enjoy the things he loved most—fishing, hunting, four-wheeling, bonfires, and sitting around having a beer with friends and family. He enjoyed being outdoors and working on projects around the cabin. Niles was not a big traveler and always felt there was plenty to enjoy right here in Wisconsin, but he and Linda did take several road trips around the country with friends, making memories along the way.

He could often be found spending hours in his shop, tinkering and working on projects. Niles could fix or build just about anything. He loved his Fords and Case garden tractors and collected 1:43 and 1:64 scale toy tractors. He also took great pride in his lawn, keeping it weed-free and making sure no one parked on it or drove across it.

Niles is survived by his wife of 50 years, Linda; son, Mitch (Alicia); grandson, Douglas Palme; siblings, Harlan (Bev), Ione (Dave) Meoska, Carla (Brian) Hofland, and Ruth. He is further survived by mother-in-law Virginia Skjegstad, brother-in-law Steve (Gigi) Skjegstad, and sister-in-law Sandy (Larry) Hamler, as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Marie; brother Douglas; father-in-law Eugene Skjegstad; and sister-in-law Karen Bauer and her husband, Dick.

Niles often quoted a line from one of his favorite movies: “So let it be written, so let it be done.”

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, WI, with Celebrant Teresa Pejsa officiating. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Burial will be at Christ Lutheran/Halvorson Cemetery in Menomonie, WI.

The service will be livestreamed, and memories may be shared on Niles’ memorial page at www.olsonfuneral.com.