Kathlyn Skelton died Sunday, November 2, 2014 at the Sioux Care Center in Sioux Rapids, Iowa at the age of 91.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at First United Church in Sioux Rapids, Iowa. Burial will follow in the Lone Tree Cemetery in Sioux Rapids. Visitation will take place Friday, November 21, 2014 from 4-7:00 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements.

Kathie Skelton was born April 15, 1923 in Sioux Rapids, Iowa to Earl Q. and Mildred Mae (Cate) Burkholder. She graduated high school at Cornell, Iowa and received a teaching degree from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake. She taught elementary school at Laurens, Iowa before marrying her high school sweetheart, Nathan Skelton. They were married May 21, 1944 at the Congregational Church in Sioux Rapids. Following their marriage, they began farming near Greenville, Iowa.

Kathie participated fully in the farming operation, helping with the planting, harvesting and tillage. In a livestock operation that included cattle, hogs and laying hens, Kathie was responsible for the daily chores of feeding and caring for the hens, gathering, washing and packaging eggs from a large laying operation.

She also taught generations of children at her church. She sang in the church choir, served on many committees and was active in Women’s Fellowship. For many years, she hosted a weekly Bible study meeting for adults in her home. Her church and her church family were very special to her.

Kathie was a member of the Order of Eastern Star for more than fifty years and served in numerous posts, including Worthy Matron.

She spent nearly 35 years with her Monday night group where she formed loving and long-lasting relationships with many who came to know her.

Kathie rarely passed up an opportunity to play board games or cards, whether with family or friends. She reveled in winning “high prize” in Five Hundred that might amount to as much as ten or twelve cents.

She learned to use a computer and email when she was in her 80’s to better communicate with family and friends spread out all over the world. Like many of us, her computer knowledge was limited, and she would become frustrated when “the darned thing didn’t work.”

Kathie touched the lives of many people. A long-time family friend offering condolences wrote, “She was one of those people whose life had a leavening effect on the quality of life for all who knew her. She will be missed.”

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Carol Raasch of Odebolt, Iowa, Dan (Karen) Skelton of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, Janet Lloyd of Severn, Maryland and Roger (Kristin) Skelton of Rembrandt, Iowa. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, Mark (Cyndi) Raasch, Greg (Melissa) Raasch, Scott (Stacy) Raasch, Jeff (Cassie) Raasch, Bryan Skelton, Ben (Tanya) Skelton, Jennifer (Aaron) Chittendon, Zachary (Chanda) Skelton, Amy (Carter) Neuberg, Doug (Sonya) Lloyd, Jacob (Jessica) Skelton, Matthew (Ally) Skelton, and Jessica Skelton.

Great-grandchildren include: Isabella, Tyler and Gracie Raasch; Ways Raasch, Saige Raasch, Mills Raasch, Cody (Heather) Bosler, Ashley Bosler, Hayley Skelton, Chase Skelton, Dante’ and Alexandria Chittenden, Theo and Enoch Skelton, Gus and Max Neuberg, Naomi Skelton and great-great-grandchild Maddie Bosler.

Kathie is also survived by sister-in-law Dorothy Skelton of Kalispell, Montana, and sister-in-law Thelma (Chuck) Mills of Spencer, Iowa, numerous nieces and nephews and many, many friends.

Kathie was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, sisters Margret Anne Mett and Dorothy Cate Burkholder, and her brother George Robert (Bob) Burkholder. Also preceding her were sons-in-law Curt Raasch and Larry Lloyd.

Burial will be at Lone Tree Cemetery in Sioux Rapids.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to First United Church, 408 Thomas Street, Sioux Rapids, Iowa 50585.