Marlene Lou Skaife

Marlene Lou (Fry) Skaife, 80 died on Jan 22, 2017......She was born on January 18, 1937 to Wesley and Ruby (Becker) Fry. She graduated from Fennimore High School in 1954. She began working for the University of WI in 1955. She married Jack Skaife, her Jackson, in May of 1956. She and Jack spent every moment together that they could. They enjoyed trap shooting and were both very proficient. They traveled yearly to Wyoming to hunt with many friends and family. In earlier years they enjoyed bowling and playing euchre. Just days before she passed away, Marlene enjoyed a game of poker with niece Kathy Nondorf and Jackson. They were blessed with two children, Cindy Lou, in 1956 and Jeff in 1962. She and her sisters, Betty (Keith) Welsh, Lenice (Bert) Gilbertson, Peggy, (Galen) Freymiller took many wonderful trips together to Colorado and as sisters loved spending that time together. Marlene worked for the State of WI for nearly 40 years and retired in 1995. She remained close to her special "work" friends, Carolyn, Diane, and Nancy, throughout the years. In retirement she and Jack enjoyed taking bus trips to various casinos and spent many hours at East Towne mall walking and visiting with the many friends they met there. Marlene is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jack, her beloved son, Jeff, two grandsons, Ryan and Collin Leavitt and two great granddaughters, Lexi and Mercedes, a brother, Stanley (Jane) Fry and her three sisters, as well as many nieces and nephews who loved her very much. She was preceded in death by parents, Wes and Ruby Fry, brother, Keith Fry, daughter Cindy Lou, and brothers-in-law, Bert Gilbertson and Keith Welsh. As Marlene wished she will be cremated with no official service. Special thanks to Kathy Nondorf and Christy Kreul for their wonderful help. Memorials can be made to LEARN, Lab Education and Rescue Network, 9835 N Alpine Rd. Box 206, Machesney Park, IL or The American Cancer Society. A celebration of life will be held Sat Feb 4th from 1-4 at The East Side Club 3735 Monona Dr Madison