Eleanor W. Skoch, 87, of Baileyville, Ks died January26, 2018 at Crestview Nursing and Residential Living, Seneca, Ks.

She was born October 30, 1030 at the Sabetha Hospital, the daughter of Joseph and Anna Steinlage Bokern. Eleanor grew up on a farm west of Kelly, the Bokern homestead.

She attended St. Bede’s school, and graduated from Kelly High School in 1948 after which time she worked at the Kelly Mercantile for a period of time. She also worked for various neighbors, going into homes and helping mothers when new babies arrived; cooking and cleaning and caring for other children in the families.

On April 15, 1950 she married Paul A. Skoch at St. Bede’s Church in Kelly, Kansas. They lived and farmed the Skoch home place northwest of St. Benedict for one year. In 1952 they moved to a farm north of Lillis where they remained until 1962 when they returned to the Skoch farm to raise hogs, cattle and their crop of kids. They retired in 1990 and moved to Baileyville.

She was a member of St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict and St. Ann’s Altar Society, St. Benedict, where she served as President and in her later years a member of Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville.

Eleanor was active in the Hustlers 4-H Club as a cooking/baking project leader with her husband Paul, a religious educator at St. Benedict and they were active in the Marriage Encounter ministry. She also served as a lay minister for the church. Eleanor enjoyed raising her family, gardening, embroidery, and square dancing with Paul. She also was well known in the community from her years as a waitress at Bob’s Sirloin Room in Seneca, and enjoyed many a pitch and bingo game with family and friends. Her homemade angel food cakes, Swedish Tea Rings and cinnamon rolls were delicious, and enjoyed by not only her family, but many throughout the community.

Survivors include 4 daughters; Elaine Skoch (Judy) of Granby, CO, Janet Holthaus (Les) of Westmoreland, KS, Lisa Moser (Harry) of Wheaton, KS, and Marcia McDonald (Lennie) of Geyser, MT, three sons; Michael (Ginny) Skoch of Omaha, NE, Mark (Tammy) Skoch of Baileyville, KS, and Maurice (Teresa) Skoch of Topeka, KS. Also surviving are one brother Bert Bokern of Seattle, WA, three sisters; Leona Luebbe, Hendersonville, NC, Peggy Laverntz, Austin, TX, and Millie Bokern, Scottsdale, AZ. 20 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren also survive.

She was preceded in death by her husband Paul in May of 2003, infant daughter Mary in March 1954, and 3 sisters; Erma Robke, Angela Bokern and Gertie Steinlage.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM, Monday January 29th at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville, with the Rosary at 2PM, Sunday, January 28th at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca, KS. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to Crestview Activity Fund, Baileyville Cemetery or the Catholic Charities and sent in care of the Lauer Funeral Home.