Marie Katherine Skagen, 94, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher and friend to many, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2007, at McKee Hospice Care Center in Loveland, Col., surrounded by family.
Marie was born July 2, 1912, to Alfred and Rosa Wenger near River Falls. She graduated high school in New Richmond in 1932 and began a long and rewarding teaching career at Bell School. She married Earl G. Skagen on September 18, 1937, in Mason City, Iowa. They resided briefly in Baldwin then farmed 240 acres near Emerald for 20 years. In 1960, Marie moved with her family to Burlington where she resumed her 25-year teaching career, earned a Bachelor's degree at Whitewater University in 1966, and did graduate work in education. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, active in Eastern Star and as a 4-H general leader and Sunday School teacher. She loved spending time with her family, reading, knitting and crocheting. In 1994, Marie moved to Fort Collins to liver near her daughter, Susan and son, Jim. With her warm sincerity and ever-active intellect, she made many close friends at the Worthington and Sterling House where she also was a true master at jigsaw puzzles. All who knew her will miss her dearly.
Marie is survived by her sister Ruth Day, daughter Marlene and her husband Win Uebel, son Jim and his wife Kathy Skagen, daughter Mary and her husband John O-Neill, daughter Susan and her husband Larry Maple, and seven grandchildren, Jill and her husband Mike Marineo, Erik and his wife Amy Skagen, Jeff and his wife Michelle Skagen, Chris Skagen, Margaret O'Neill, Jennifer O'Neill and Sonya Maple. Her first great-grandchild is due in March.
Marie was preceded in death by her husband Earl (former St. Croix County highway commissioner), their young son John, her brothers Fred, Albert, Warner and John Wenger and her sisters Rose Jacobson, Emma Wadsworth, Lydia Wenger and Ida Scott.
A memorial service was held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2007, followed by a reception, at Allnutt Drake Chapel, 650 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins, 80526. Interment will be at the Greenwood Cemetery, Emerald on February 17 at 4 p.m. Arrangements are being handled by Beebe's Mortuary in New Richmond. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Community Case Management of Poudre Valley Hospital in care of Allnutt Funeral Services at the above referenced address.
Please view online obituary and sign the family guestbook at www.allnutt.com.
(New Richmond News - Thursday, February 15, 2007)
