Dorothy Skelton — Kalispell, Mont.

Dorothy Marie (Stephenson) Skelton completed her life Oct. 21, 2015, at Brendan House in Kalispell, Mont., after a brief illness.

Dorothy was born Feb. 5, 1917, to Minnie Grace Albright Stephenson in Webb, Iowa. She lived her younger years in Spencer, Iowa, yet spent summers in Webb, Iowa, with her beloved grandparents, George and Anne Albright. As a youth, she loved roller-skating and attending the youth group at the Baptist Church in Webb, Iowa. During her school years, she was known at Dot, in reference to her diminutive size. She graduated from Webb High School on May 28, 1936.

She met her future husband, Raymond Skelton, at the Baptist Church in Webb, Iowa. Her pleasant memory of their first date was being escorted to the church youth activity in a horse-drawn sleigh. Another often-told tale is double dating with the ladies riding in the rumble seat of Ray's father's car. They married Jan. 27, 1939, in Chillicothe, Mo., with beloved cousin, Arlene, as her bridesmaid. Ray and Dorothy were married 51 years prior to his passing in 1990.

During the earlier years of their marriage, they farmed in northwest Iowa. Four of their children were born during this time — Donald Ray, Margaret Ann, Dale Allen and Jean Marie. Many of the subsequent years were spent in Albert Lea, as Ray worked for Mays Electrical Engineering Labs. During this time, Dorothy baked all the bread and tended a large garden for her children, who did not appreciate supermarket food. In Albert Lea, the family was completed with the addition of Janice Kay. In later years, Dorothy worked as a bookkeeper while Ray managed the same motel in Rochester. Always a good student, Dorothy enjoyed the challenge of the bookkeeping process.

Dorothy's greatest joy was her children and family life. She enjoyed ladies church clubs and Eastern Star. She was a proud member of Eastern Star for 54 years.

Dorothy eventually moved to Kalispell, Mont., to be near family. She was very proud to reside in her own apartment to 98 years of age.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her mother, Minnie Stephenson, husband, Raymond Skelton, son, Donald Skelton, daughter, Jean Peterson and beloved brothers and sisters-in-law.

Dorothy is survived by daughters, Janice (Larry) Brazda and Margaret (Charles) Green, son, Dale Skelton, and son in-law, Lee Peterson.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Michael (Missy) Skelton, Mark Skelton, Shari (Todd) Anderson, Michele (Chris) Nelson, Paul (Courtney) Peterson, Scott (Angie) Peterson, Adam (Natalie) Peterson, Kim Gustine, Melissa Walden, Mindi (Eric) Raby, Chris Brazda and Laura Brazda. Also surviving are 18 great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Brendan House for the excellent care administered by loving hands.

Visitation will be on Friday, Oct. 30, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids, Iowa. Funeral services will be on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 10 a.m. at the United Church of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, with interment following at the Poland Township Cemetery in Marathon, Iowa.