Lorie Skeels

Lorie M. Skeels, age 63, passed away at her home on February 16, 2015. She was born on July 29, 1951 in Columbus, WI, the daughter of Donald and Laverne (Haskins) Madsen. She met Donald Skeels, the love of her life, in Denver, Colorado and married him one year later on February 16, 1979 under a rock in Red Rocks Park. They were married 36 years.

Lorie was a very talented artist. She created beautiful watercolor paintings and pencil drawings. Lorie authored and illustrated a comic strip called Spike and Jamison for the Stoughton Courier Hub. She also loved taking photographs and spending time decorating her home. Cooking was a passion for Lorie and something that she has passed on to her children. She was a great entertainer and enjoyed creating fancy table settings and preparing delicious meals for her friends and family. Lorie spent much of her time helping others with Multiple Sclerosis by starting an MS support group in Stoughton. Family has always been important to Lorie. She loved hearing stories from her grandchildren and watching them grow. Her face would glow for days after visits from the little ones. Lorie has always put others' needs before her own. She constantly provided an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on for anyone who needed her. She was truly selfless.

Lorie is survived by her mother, Laverne Madsen; husband, Don Skeels; two children, Ben (Emily) Skeels and Ethan (Jezamil Vega-Skeels); five grandchildren, Lyra, Henry, Charlotte, Hannah, and Sawyer; two brothers, Eric Madsen and Gregg (Susan) Madsen; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Donald Madsen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made out to the National MS Society or the local MS support group in Stoughton.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 23, 2015 at Covenant Lutheran Church, 1525 North Van Buren Street, Stoughton, with Rev. Jerry Tews presiding. Visitation will be held from 9:30 until the time of service. Friends and family are invited to a luncheon immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall.