The Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington was the place where Dr. Lee Roy Skeens, 72, of Burlington, died on September 8, 2024.
Roy Lee Skeens and Betty Hammel Skeens had him on July 22, 1952, in Davenport, Iowa. He got married to Judy Peterson on May 27, 1972, but they later split up. He married Ruth Nell Derr at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Farmington, Iowa, on March 18, 1995.
He finished high school at Davenport Central. The Air Force gave him an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice, and Southwest Texas University gave him a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling. After that, he went to Webster University and got his Master’s in Psychology and his Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Psychology. The American Association of Christian Counselors and the American Association for Counseling and Development had also given him their seals of approval.
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He was happy to be in the US Air Force and serve his country. From 1991 until he died, Dr. Skeens taught psychology at Southeastern Community College.
As a member of Divine Mercy Parish, he led the service and served the Eucharist. Besides that, he was a good pilot for the Knights of Columbus, 4th degree. A lot of years ago, Dr. Skeens was the head of the SCC Higher Education Association. He had written books that were used in his classes. He had been a part of the Burlington Harley-Davidson group and the Burlington Notre Dame School Board in the past. For many years, he played racquetball very seriously. He also liked golf and riding his scooter. He adored both Elvis and John Wayne. He was a loyal Democrat who liked to talk about politics over a cup of coffee. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandkids, the most.
Mrs. Ruth Nell Skeens of Burlington, Iowa, is his wife, and their children are Tiffany (Todd) Frye of Clive, Iowa, Brandi (Troy Slusser) Skeens of Davenport, Iowa, and Jeremy (Cary) Skeens of Burlington, Iowa. Melissa (Don) Claassen of Sutter, IL, Jeremy (Laurie) Derr of Kapa’au, HI, Meranda (Corey) Anderson of West Point, IA, and Dr. Eric (Kieran Sludds) Derr of Monageer, Ireland; grandchildren, Grace, Brady, Alexa, Lila, and Griffin Frye of Clive, IA, Shannan Skeens of Burlington, IA, Michaela (Duncan) Jackson of West Point, IL, Colby and Chase Claassen of LaHarpe, IL, Grant and Macy Anderson of West Point, IA, and Lily and Leo Derr of Kapa’au, HI; two sisters, Anne (Ed) Eden of Moline, IL, and Joy (Mike) Munch of Dahinda, IL; brother, Edward Skeens of Bristol, VA; three sisters-in-law, Patty (Steve) Wood of TX, Linda (Dennis) Biddenstadt of IA, and Lolita Ray of IA; and dear friend, Dr. Forest Morrisett of West Burlington, IA; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents had already died before him.
Thursday, September 12, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street. The family will be there to greet friends from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, after a 3:30 PM Rosary Service.
Dr. Skeens’ Funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be held at Divine Mercy Parish-St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on Friday, September 13, 2024, at 10:00 AM. The Very Rev. Father Marty Goetz will be the celebrant. In the restaurant at St. John’s Catholic Church, there will be food and time to talk with other people after the burial.
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Prugh Crematory has been permitted to do the cremation.
Funds have been set up to help the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and Transitions Des Moines County instead of flowers.