Vera Marie Skeens, of Olathe, KS, was born in Fontana, KS on July 24, 1929. Her parents were Walter Leslie Martin and Lucy May (Lowe) Martin. The family moved to Osawatomie, KS when she was in junior high. She graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1947 and married William E. Skeens later in 1947. The marriage ended in divorce in 1971.
Vera was preceded in death by son Jeffrey, both parents, brothers, Wayne and Harold and sister, Eileen. Surviving family members are daughters Donetta (Bernie) Shaner and Connie Skeens, and sons Allen (Joy) Skeens and Todd Skeens. Vera has 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The grandchildren are: Kristen Hilgers, Britt Wilkenfeld, Derek Shaner, Brooke Skjonsby, MacKenzie Skeens, Brady Skeens, Colton Skeens, Hunter Skeens, Logan Skeens, Jackson Skeens, and Tom Polzin. Great-grandchildren are: Gathen Shaner, Emrey Hilgers, Anna Shaner, Eliana Wilkenfeld, Kingston Wilkenfeld, and Callen Hilgers.
Vera worked as a pharmacy technician at Sinclair Rexall Drugs in Osawatomie for many years. She moved to Johnson County in 1981. Vera worked diligently at various jobs, including Shawnee Mission School District cook, John Francis restaurant hostess, and snack bar attendant at Homestead Country Club.
Vera loved Royals baseball and enjoyed traveling to many out-of-town ballparks in the 70’s and 80’s. She also enjoyed numerous trips to Branson. She was a news junkie and spent hours daily absorbed in TV news, with CNN and MSNBC topping her watch list.
Vera lived at Olathe Ridgeview Village for 16 years. She made many friends and enjoyed shopping trips, coffee klatches, and eating out. She moved to Villa St. Francis in 2018, where she liked to play bingo and share meals with new friends.
Ever the matriarch, Vera always enjoyed family birthday celebrations, holiday gatherings, her grandkids’ sporting events, and any time spent with her kids. Her family will greatly miss her signature dishes—macaroni and cheese, snickerdoodles, chicken and noodles, and green beans. Vera was a special mom, grandma, and grammy-great. She was loved beyond measure.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to:
Heifer International, P.O. Box 8058, Little Rock, AR 72203; https://www.heifer.org/campaign/end-hunger-poverty-donation.html
Or
Villa St. Francis Resident Fund, 16600 W. 126th St., Olathe, KS 66062