Edith I. Skene

Edith Ingeborg Skene, 102, of Ventura, died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, at Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa.

A memorial service was held on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with Pastor Rhoda Preston officiating.  Inurnment will take place in Clear Lake Cemetery at a later date.

  Family suggests memorial contributions to Muse-Norris Hospice of North Iowa.

Edith was born April 20, 1915, the daughter of Lars Christian “Chris” and Petra Caroline (Christensen-Bach) Sorensen, in Mason City.  She attended school in Clear Lake, and at the early age of 14, began caring for children and cooking for farm families.

Edith married Richard Skene on Aug. 26, 1942, in Kentucky.   She started working for Jefferson Bus Company prior to becoming a farm wife on the Skene family farm in Ventura.  While raising two children, Carolyn and Robert, she began a career in raising and selling gladiolus.  She also enjoyed working at gift shops both in Clear Lake and Ventura.   

Richard and Edith enjoyed their family garden and dancing at the Surf Ballroom. She was a faithful member of the Ventura United Methodist Church and was also a member of the Danish Sisterhood.

Edith is survived by two children, Robert Joseph Skene and Carolyn Margaret Skene, both of Ventura; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her parents; and seven siblings, Verner Sorensen, Thorvald Sorensen, Irvin Sorensen, Hans Sorensen, Olga Smeby, Frances Miller, and Helen Bergman.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.