Rose Skau

1916 - 11

Rose Klein Skau, 94, of Kittanning, passed away Monday, March 7, 2011, at UPMC Presbyterian, Oakland, with her family by her side. Her life began in Cathay, N.D., where she was born Nov. 3, 1916, the daughter of William and Louisa (Meth) Klein. On April 27, 1949, she married the love of her life, Earl Skau, in Little Church Around the Corner in New York City. They were blessed with 44 years of marriage, until his death in 1993. Three words -- live, love, laugh -- wonderfully describe Rose. Knitting and playing bridge were just a few of her passions; she was also an avid crossword puzzle solver and a loyal Jeopardy follower. It was as a wife, mother and grandmother that she found her true calling, devoting herself wholly to her family. Despite the many miles that separated her from her children and grandchildren, she was the center of communications, keeping everyone abreast of family dealings. Her generosity, selflessness and unflagging support will be missed. Her love, expressed in words and in time, will be irreplaceable. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her two children, Valerie Jane Klein, of Battle Ground, Wash., and William Earl Skau, of Fort Worth, Texas; and her two granddaughters, Charla Ann and Jana Rose Skau, both of Texas. Rose was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Earl Peter Skau, who died June 20, 1993; her six sisters, Lena, Katherine, Tillie, Amelia, Ann Marie and Rebecca; and five brothers, Andrew, Gustav, Clarence, Raymond and Jacob. Rose was the last of her 11 siblings and her legacy will continue with her two children and two granddaughters. Relatives and friends may visit from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 10, 2011, at the BAUER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 515 N. McKean St., Kittanning. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. John W. Snyder officiating. Burial will follow at Lawn Haven Burial Estates, Worthington, Armstrong County. Memorial donations may be made in Rose's honor to the American Cancer Society, Armstrong Unit, 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205; the American Heart Association, Armstrong Unit, 777 Penn Center Blvd., Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15235; or the American Diabetes Association Memorial and Honor Program, PO Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312. Arrangements are being handled by Bauer Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc. To view a video tribute celebrating Rose's life and express online condolences to the family, visit: www.bauerfuneral.com.