Margaret "Marge" Skalka
Margaret “Marge” Skalka, 81, of Grand Island died Sunday, May 23, 2010 at Edgewood Vista in Grand Island.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Leo’s Catholic Church
in Grand Island.
Reverend Charles Torpey will officiate. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery of Grand Island.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Leo’s Catholic Church with a Prayer Vigil at 7 p.m. Catholic Daughters of America Rosary will be at 4 p.m. Thursday at the church. All Faiths Funeral Home is serving the family.
Mrs. Skalka was born July 31, 1928 in Clay County near Deweese to John and Mary (Barta) Dobesh. Her husband, Stanley “Stan” Skalka, preceded her in death on February 11, 2010.
Survivors of the immediate family are children and their spouses, Sandie and Mike Bernt of Columbus, Randy and Marla Skalka of Doniphan, Sherry and Dale Huffman of Grand Island, and Janie and Pat Vipond of Gretna; and a sister, Lillian Johnson.
Marge is also survived by 10 grandchildren and their spouses, Meghan and Anthony May, Danielle Bernt and fiancé Collin Wagoner, Gabe and Amy Skalka, Dylan and Angela Skalka, Drew Skalka, Dalyn and Alan Novak, Jenna Huffman, Kristen Vipond, Tom Vipond, Colin Vipond; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Marge attended Elementary School District 27, Deweese High School one year, and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1945.
Marge was united in marriage to Stanley “Stan” Skalka on April 7, 1948 at Our Lady of Assumption Church in Deweese. Following their marriage, the couple made their home on a ranch near Ericson in Wheeler County for 28 years. They raised Herefords and Registered Shorthorn cattle and operated a Grade A Dairy.
Marge served as a CCD teacher at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Ericson for 22 years. She was a past officer of St. Theresa’s Altar Society. She also served as a 4-H leader for 10 years and was a past officer of the Wheeler Central Band Boosters.
In 1976, the couple moved to Grand Island. Marge was employed by John’s Pharmacy for 8 years and then by Ben’s Pharmacy for 6 years. She was a member of the Ladies of St. Leo’s, the American Legion Auxiliary, and Catholic Daughters of America.
Marge greatly enjoyed her family and spending time together. She took great pride in her children and grandchildren and enjoyed family gatherings. She cherished her lifetime friendships from Wheeler County and Hall County. Marge was a very skilled seamstress and baker, frequently sharing those skills with her family. She was a very gracious, kind, and spiritual woman, always putting others’ needs before her own.
Marge was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Julia Davidson, and two brothers,
Justus Dobesh, and Ernie Dobesh.
Memorials are suggested to St. Leo’s Catholic Church and St. Theresa’s
Catholic