C. Karlene Skillen passed away at her home in Cheney, Kansas, on Monday, July 29, 2019. Karlene was born Charlotte Karlene Smith to Karl and Pauline Smith in Norwich, Kansas, on March 24, 1934.

She graduated from Norwich High School in 1952 and attended Wichita State University, where she earned a degree in chemistry.

On September 7, 1957, Karlene married Jimmie Don Skillen. They had two sons.

Karlene worked as a science and foreign language teacher and a farm wife. She volunteered within her community and for the churches she attended: Alpine Church in Alpine, Colorado, Rock Port United Methodist Church in Rock Port, Missouri, and the Norwich United Methodist Church in Norwich, where she was a member.

As a young mother, Karlene enjoyed attending her sons’ athletic events. Later, she made every effort to support her grandchildren in all of their school endeavors and social activities.

Karlene was preceded in death by her parents and by her daughter-in-law, Eileen Skillen. She is survived by her husband, Jim Skillen, Cheney; her son, Jim (Amy) Skillen, Rock Port; her son, Brad Skillen, Wichita, Kansas; her grandchildren, Max and Mika Skillen, Wichita, and Darius, Bannack and Malachi Skillen, Rock Port; and her sister, Karen Batie, Broomfield, Colo.

A memorial service will be held at the Norwich United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 17, at 1:00 p.m. Memorials may be directed to Rock Port United Methodist Church or Rock Port R-2 Athletics.