Marguerite Skinner

Marguerite “Rita” Skinner, 83, of Newton, died Thursday, February 2, 2023, at Park Centre in Newton. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton. The family will greet friends at the funeral home following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Rita’s name (checks payable to Lisa McKinney) to be used to plant trees around Newton can be left at the funeral home.

Rita, the daughter of Kenneth and Ruby (Klopping) White, was born November 20, 1939, in Newton. She graduated from Newton High School in 1957. She was united in marriage with Thomas E. Skinner on April 28, 1963, in Newton. She had worked at the Feed Bag restaurant, Newton Wholesale, and First Newton National Bank, before staying at home to be a full-time parent. Later, she did in-home childcare for many children in the Newton community. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She was very devoted to her friends and family, whether she was talking on the phone, helping them, or going to the movies, lunch, or for morning coffee. She will be remembered for her kindness, her love, and her great sense of humor.

Rita is survived by her three daughters: Lisa (Brian) McKinney of Newton, Jenny White of Newton, and Amy (Brett) Joswiak of Phoenix, AZ; her grandchildren: Allie (Mark) Faircloth, Kenneth Skinner-Havens, Parker White, Libby White, Thomas Joswiak and Ashton Joswiak; her great-grandchildren, Avery Trammell and Liliana Trammell; and her sister, Nancy White of Newton. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1989, and her siblings, Mary Jane Underbakke, Linda Hines, and Paul White.

Rita’s family would like to thank the staff at Park Centre for all the love and care they gave to Rita.