Betty L Skipton

After a very long life our mother, Betty L. Skipton, passed away on August 5, 2024, at the age of 99 1/2 years. She was born in St. Louis Park, Minnesota in 1925 to Clarence M. Nicholas and Mary Ida (Ross) Nicholas, and she was one of five children. On November 10, 1944, she married James M. Skipton (Skip) and she went on to have two daughters.

As an adult Betty lived a very full and interesting life living in Germany and Japan, as well as living in different places around the U.S. She was a feminist before it was even a word, she was beautiful, extremely intelligent and a strong and outspoken woman. Betty loved working and she worked outside the home most of her adult life. She finished her working years and retired at age 75 from the U.S. Federal Civil Service where she was employed as a contracting officer and contract analyst. During that time, she worked on the NASA space shuttle program contracts, while getting to travel to many launches over the years. The launches were one of the highlights of her career.

Betty is survived by her daughters Cheryl Runyon and Susan Gibson, five grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Skip, parents Clarence and Mary, her sisters Mary, Muriel, and Peggy, brother Bud, as well as her son-in-law Larry Runyon. A memorial service is being planned for a later date.