SKELLENGER, Verna L. 1925-2010

SKELLENGER

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 3/26/2010 at 13:22:02

NORTHWOOD, IOWA - Verna Lorraine Skellenger, 84, of Northwood, died Wednesday (March 24, 2010) at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

A funeral service for Verna will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 29, 2010, at the First Lutheran Church, 309 N. Ninth St. in Northwood, with the Rev. Daniel R. Hart and the Rev. Barbara Wills officiating. Burial will be in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 28, 2010, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 First Ave. S., Northwood. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to service time on Monday at the church.

The family of Verna would like to suggest that those wishing to give a memorial, may wish to consider the Alzheimer's Association or to the First Lutheran Church in Northwood in her memory.

Verna Lorraine Skellenger was born on Dec. 16, 1925, in rural Joice, the daughter of Clarence and Lillie (Wogen) Slattum. Verna was baptized and reaffirmed the faith of her baptism through confirmation at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Joice. Verna attended the Joice community schools, graduating from Joice High School. Verna also graduated from Hamilton Business College in Mason City. After completing her schooling, she worked for a short time at the Joice State Bank.

She was united in marriage to Floyd Skellenger on March 26, 1944, at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Joice and to this union four children were born, David, Ron, Gary and Dennis. Verna and Floyd would have celebrated 66 years of marriage today, March 26.

After their marriage they lived in Lake Mills for eight years before moving to Northwood.
In the fall of 1953, Verna and Floyd started to build their motel in Northwood, which they named the Royal Motel, and continued to operate the motel until 1979. In 1979, Verna worked as a certified nursing assistant at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood for 20 years until her retirement on March 1, 1999.

Verna enjoyed gardening, flowers, all kinds of cards (especially Bridge and 500), working on puzzles, camping with her family, fishing and showing her flowers at the Worth County Fair, winning several ribbons.

She was a member of First Lutheran Church, Rebecca Circle holding many offices in the circle, Green Thumb Garden Club holding many offices in the club, Cub Scout Den Mother, and enjoyed selling sweet corn and strawberries.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Floyd Skellenger of Northwood; four children, David (Karen) Skellenger of Wells, Minn., Ron (Marilyn) Skellenger,of Northwood, Gary (Mary) Skellenger, of Long Lake, Minn., and Dennis (Jo) Skellenger of St. Louis Park, Minn.; nine grandchildren, Randy (Sarah) Skellenger, Shelly (Scott) Johnson, Mike (Shelly) Skellenger, Mark (Jenny) Skellenger, Rodney Skellenger, Sara (Brandon) Kobilka, and Brian, Lance, and Kyle Skellenger; seven great-grandchildren, Hunter and Dustin Johnson, Caitlin, Ben, Grace, Tyce and Ashlyn Skellenger; her brother, Cecil (Barbara) Slattum, of Richardson, Texas; and her sister, Shirley (Kenneth) Chodur, of Kensett; many nieces, nephews, and many other extended family members and friends.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Norma Alvey; and two brothers, Richard and Darrel Slattum.

Conner Colonial Chapel, 641-324-1543. www.colonialchapels.com

[ Mason City Globe Gazette online, Friday, March 26, 2010 -- www.globegazette.com ]