SKELLEY, Eloise J. (1929-2016)

SKELLEY, KNAPPER, WUBBEN, FOLKERS, LEZAJESKI, NIELSEN

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 11/13/2016 at 12:00:32

Eloise Skelley

CORWITH — A funeral service for Eloise Joyce (Knapper) Skelley will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, at the United Methodist Church, Corwith, Iowa.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, at the Corwith Community Center, Corwith, Iowa. Interment will be in the Corwith Cemetery.

Eloise Joyce (Knapper) Skelley was born on a farm in German Township, Kossuth County, Iowa on Oct. 20, 1929, to Jurjen “Jerry B.” and Kate Selma (Wubben) Knapper. The eldest of three children, Lois attended country schools in the area and graduated from Britt High School in 1947. She began her first career as a country school teacher in schools in Erin and Boone Townships and Hutchins.

Lois married Robert M. Skelley on July 1, 1950 at the Bethel Baptist Church in Britt. They lived in Hanna while Bob was manager of the elevator. While in Hanna, they doubled the population with the birth of their son, Robert in 1953 and daughter, LuAnn in 1958. February 1960 saw the start of Skelley Fertilizer Service and the family moved to Corwith.

Bob died suddenly on May 5, 1972 and Lois continued managing the fertilizer business for another year. After a brief retirement, she began work in 1975 as the city clerk in Corwith. She was also on the Corwith-Wesley school board and served as board president from 1977 to 1981. Lois became the school board secretary in 1981. She retired from the school district in 1995 and continued her public service as an election poll worker for many years.

Her retirement was spent enjoying spending time with friends playing dominoes or cards, crocheting, quilting, watching cooking shows, doing crossword puzzles and watching birds and squirrels that frequented her feeders… especially the orioles. Lois was a huge Kansas City Royals fan and she and son Bob would attend games often as well as go on day trips across Iowa. She loved southern gospel music and polkas. She enjoyed spending time with LuAnn exhibiting her Corwith memorabilia and answering her questions about family history. Best known for her birthday cards, Lois would send over 400 personalized cards each year and always included a note.

In May 2015, after a major health issue, she moved to an assisted living facility in West Des Moines. Eloise “Lois” Skelley, of West Des Moines, formerly of Corwith, died on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, at Unity Point Methodist Hospital at the age of 86.

Lois is survived by her two children – Robert Skelley of Urbandale and LuAnn (Phil) Folkers of Ankeny; sister-in-laws, Arlene Knapper and Mattie Skelley; nieces, Dorothy Lezajeski and Vickie Nielsen; nephews, Jack Skelley, and Jerry, Doug and David Knapper; as well as many friends and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert in 1972; her parents in 1982 and 1994; her brother, Goldon in 1988, her sister, Adeline in 1936, and her brother-in-law, John Skelley in 2001.

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