Ethel Louise Skaer, nee Wild, 101, of Freeburg IL, died Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at Freeburg Care Center, Freeburg, IL.
Ethel was born November 20, 1923, in Rentchler Station, IL, to Walter and Alvina, nee Sternau, Wild. After graduating from Freeburg Community High School in 1941, she was employed at Liese Lumber Company in Belleville, IL. Ethel married Curt Louis Alfred Skaer on April 3, 1945. While at home raising her family, she was active in the P.T.A. and Band Parents Organization. In 1969, Ethel began working at St. Louis Union Trust and completed sixteen years there before retiring in 1985.
Ethel was an active member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Freeburg, IL, having served as a Sunday School Teacher, on the Food and Clothing Bank Board, and in the “Church Mice” organization. She volunteered weekly at the Freeburg Care Center. In her retirement, Ethel spent many hours reading books, listening to Christian radio, and writing letters. She especially liked to write to young men in prison. All her adult life, she enjoyed sewing and quilting. Her children and grandchildren will remember the many quilts she made for them. Ethel also quilted for the Project Linus ministry. She enjoyed working in her yard; growing flowers, especially roses; and tending her vegetable garden. Consequently, she spent many hours canning the fruits of her labors.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Curt, on March 5, 2004; her parents, Walter and Alvina Wild; a brother, Ralph, in infancy; her sister, Elizabeth Krauss, and her husband, Roy Krauss; her brother, Edward Wild, and his wife, Geraldine Wild; her sister-in-law, Doris Carr, and her husband, Grover Carr; her brother-in-law, Roy Skaer, and his wife, Dorothy Skaer; and two sons-in-law, Ronald Woodard and Gerald Kurfman.
Ethel is survived by her children, Shirley Woodard of Hamburg Township, MI, Frances Kurfman of Millstadt, IL, and Roger (Robin) Skaer of Freeburg, IL; her grandchildren, Kristi Hameedi (Dr. David Kam), Karen (Chad) Corum, Stacey Duncan (Aaron Duncan), Stefanie (Steve) Liesman, Mark (Nikki) Kurfman, Nikolaus (Anna) Skaer, and Abbey (Adam) Payne; her sixteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Freeburg, IL or Hoyleton Children’s Home, Hoyleton, IL.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Freeburg, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Freeburg, IL, with Rev. Andrew Lovins officiating.
Burial will be held at Elmwood Cemetery, Freeburg, IL.
