Pearl Henry Skaife

Pearl Henry Skaife, age 81, of Lancaster, died on Friday, August 21, 2009, at Orchard Manor Nursing Home, rural Lancaster. She was born on December 17, 1927, in Beetown, the daughter of Earl and Pearl (Lewis) Henry. At a young age, Pearl was taken in and lovingly raised by Ethel and Tom Butson. She graduated from Platteville High School in 1945. On January 21, 1946, Pearl was united in marriage to Raymond Skaife at the Lancaster United Methodist Church. After their marriage, the couple farmed in Little Grant Township for over fifty years. Pearl enjoyed gardening, crocheting, sewing, playing cards, photography, genealogy, collecting glass and putting together jig-saw puzzles.

Survivors include her husband, Raymond Skaife, Lancaster; her children: Leo (Sally) Skaife, Beloit; Danny (Pam) Skaife, Madison; Christine (Dick) Perry, Mt. Hope; Rosalee (Jerry) Morrow, Mt. Hope; Penny Skaife, Avoca; grandchildren: Amy (Spencer) Skaife- Hess, Matt Skaife, Kelly (Kevin) Burdick, Tracy (Joel) Schildgen, Darcy Clardy, Aaron (Robin) Perry, Andrew Perry, Joe (Jody) Morrow, Jennifer (Dan) Cooley, Valentino and Casanova Coy; seventeen great-grandchildren; one brother, Glen Henry, Waunakee; sister-in-law, Dolores Henry, Minneapolis, MN; very special person/mother, Ethel Mae Butson, Platteville; and Jim (Darlene) Butson, Platteville.

In addition to her parents, Pearl was preceded in death by a son, Peter, twin brother, Earl, a brother, Leo, her two sisters, Thelma Blackbourn and Marjorie Klaas, and Tom and Jane Butson.

Funeral services were held on Monday, August 24, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at Schwartz Funeral Home in Lancaster with Rev. Mary Ann Floerke officiating. Burial was in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Friends called on Sunday, August 23, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Schwartz Funeral Home and from 10:00 a.m. until time of services on Monday at the funeral homes.