Orlean Skibsted

Orlean Skibsted, age 93, of Storm Lake, Iowa died on Sunday, July 29, 2018 at the Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Visitation will take place on Friday, August 3, 2018 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Orlean Mavis Skibsted was born on October 29, 1924 on a farm near Alta, Iowa, the daughter of John and Margaret (Patton) Bruns. She was baptized on June 16, 1935 at the Methodist Church in Schaller, Iowa. She was a member of the Methodist Church in Galva, Iowa then became a member of the Nain Lutheran Church of Newell, Iowa. She has since been a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, Iowa. Orlean attended country school and then moved to Galva where she graduated in 1942 from Galva Consolidated School. She was very active in 4-H and was a member of the champion home efficiency demonstration team of Iowa in 1940. Orlean attended the National Business Training and AIB Business School in Sioux City where she also played on the NBT basketball team. In 1944, she married Wilburn Pender, who was later killed in World War II. Orlean was united in marriage to Thorton Skibsted on February 2, 1947 at the Nain Lutheran Church in Newell, Iowa. Together they were blessed with four children: Larry Dean, Jacqueline Margaret, John Martin, and David Allen. Orlean and Thorton raised their family on the farm where she was a homemaker, mother, and she also worked as a legal secretary and bookkeeper at the local bank and the rural electric company. She taught Sunday school and was active in Ladies Aid. Orlean was very active in the Buena Vista Hospital Auxiliary and held an officer position for many years. She was also a charter member of the American Legion and Amvets Auxiliaries. She belonged to the country club and several card clubs. She enjoyed all kinds of sports, especially playing golf and basketball. Orlean also enjoyed traveling throughout the years, taking many cruises and bus trips. She has traveled and visited all 50 states. She will be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Larry Skibsted of Smithville, Missouri; Jacqueline (Dennis) McWhirter of Marquand, Missouri; John (Karen) Skibsted of Ada, Oklahoma; Dave (Connie) Skibsted of Storm Lake, Iowa; grandchildren: Sarah Skibsted of Boulder, Colorado; Michelle (Walt) Fordyce of Blue Springs, Missouri; Rob Groth of Peoria, Illinois; Rachel Groth of Peoria, Illinois; Jamie (Norman) Herrera of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Andy (Marla) Kimbrell of Ada, Oklahoma; Heather (Tyler) Reed of Ada, Oklahoma; Amy (Dre) Oliver of Blaine, Minnesota; Ben (Bridget) Skibsted of Pine Island, Minnesota; Nick (Kim) Skibsted of Brandon, South Dakota; great-grandchildren: Aurora Fordyce; Chelsea (Ryan) Temple; Imani Oliver; Madelyn and Lucy Skibsted; Trey, Rylie, and Myles Skibsted; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Orlean was preceded in death by her husband, Thorton “Skip” who died in 1987; her parents, John and Margaret Bruns; brother, Bloyce Bruns; sister, Phrona Johnson; brothers-in-law, Earl Johnson and Herluf Pedersen; sister-in-law, Vivian Pedersen; father and mother-in-law, Martin and Lona Skibsted.

Orlean Skibsted

October 29, 1924 - July 29, 2018