Marilee Skinner

Marilee Skinner, 75, ended her battle with Alzheimer’s Disease on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022. She passed away peacefully with her family by her side at the IOOF Home in Mason City.

Marilee was born Dec. 25, 1946, in Pleasantville, Iowa, the daughter of Bernard and Dora Smith.  She was raised in Melcher, Iowa, by her mother, Dora, along with her Aunt Meme and cousins, Thomas and Jerry Pezzetti. After graduating high school, Marilee attended Northwest Missouri State and later Salvadore’s College of Cosmetology in Des Moines.  

In 1965, Marilee met her lifelong companion and best friend, Tom Skinner. On Dec. 27, 1969, the two were united in marriage. To this union three children were born: Jason, Tony, and Zac.  Tom and Marilee made their home in Iowa Falls where they had a GM dealership and furniture store, along with Doug and Patsy Daniel, until moving to Clear Lake in 1986, where they had a car business. In addition to helping Tom with their businesses, Marilee also enjoyed being a cosmetologist and the relationships she had with her clients.

Marilee enjoyed numerous bridge clubs, golfing, cooking, and baking (especially with her grandchildren during her favorite holiday, Christmas!).  Her family’s secret lasagna recipe was her most treasured entree the family loved!  She was a faithful member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church where she enjoyed participating in the choir for over 30 years. She also gave her time to help with the funeral committee. She participated in Tri-T and several other service organizations. Marilee was a “Reading Buddy” for Clear Creek Elementary School in Clear Lake where she made many friends and was able to help early readers with her caring spirit.   

Marilee is survived by her husband, Tom Skinner, Clear Lake; her sons, Jason (Tammy) Skinner, of Mankato, Minn., Tony (Katie) Skinner, of Excelsior, Minn., Zac (Jessica) Skinner, of Leawood, Kan.; grandchildren, Mattea, Tyler, Sophia, Will, Levi, Joey, Jameson and Savannah; sister, Carol (Arne) Ebner, of Urbandale, Iowa; along with several nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.  

She is preceded in death by her mother, Dora. 

A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1001 9th Ave. South, Clear Lake; with Rev. Josh Link officiating.  Burial will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery.

A visitation will be held Friday, Nov. 18, from 5-7 p.m., a scriptural wake service will be held at 5 p.m. at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 1st Ave. North, Clear Lake.

The family requests that those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation in Marilee’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at give.michaeljfox.org. 

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

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Clear Lake Mirror Reporter

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