Rosie Darlene Skiles

Rose Darlene Stigen was born March 27, 1935 to Christ and Martha (Raaf) Stigen in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. She attended schools and the Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River until she was 15 at which time she moved to Seattle, WA. She first lived with her sister, Doris and family, and then moved in with friends. She graduated as an honor student from Lincoln High School in Seattle in 1953.

On January 15, 1955 she married Raymond Skiles and they moved to the Denver area. She was the mother of three children: Steven, DebraRay and Tami.

Rosie worked much of their marriage until retirement. She was affiliated with many different organizations during her life and usually ended up being an officer.

Rosie was talented seamstress as well as a researcher of Japanese Friendship Dolls – a 20 year project. She also gave countless lectures about Japanese culture and dolls and had a large collection of various types of Japanese dolls. In addition, she had a hobby of genealogy and tried to keep up with the growing relationship as well as continually seeking genealogical information about her father’s Norwegian heritage and her mother’s German heritage. She started the first Raaf family reunion in 1970 and it continues to be held every five years in different locations.

On January 15, 2005 she and her husband, Ray renewed their vows and celebrated their 50th anniversary with over two hundred friends and relatives. Her beloved husband, Ray, survives.

Rosie passed away on June 20, 2020. Rosie was preceded in death by her parents and on brother, Hank, and four sisters, Clara, Helen, Marlene, and Katy.

She leave to mourn her passing her three children: Steve (and Carrie) Skiles of Peyton, CO, DebraRay (and Mason) Thompson of Ft. Lupton, CO and Tami (and Jason) Somara of Pollock Pines, CA in addition to grandson Nathan of Ft. Lupton and granddaughter, Gina of Pollock Pines, CA. She also leaves behind two sisters: Louise McLean of Thief River Falls, MN and Doris Borgen of Yakim, WA. One brother-in-law, Ken (and Adele) Skiles of Thornton, CO. Also, left to mourn are many nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends.