Lori Skinner, 65, of Stewartville, MN (formerly from Rochester) passed away on December 17, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Hospital—Saint Marys, following a lengthy illness.
Lori was born on January 6, 1958, to Donald and Phyllis (Amundson) Skinner in Austin, Minnesota. She attended Immanuel Lutheran High School in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for two years before returning to Austin for her senior year, graduating in 1976. She then went to Immanuel Lutheran College in Eau Claire before returning to Rochester, Minnesota, attending Rochester Vocational-Technical School, graduating from the early childhood development program. Lori then worked in Rochester in a family daycare, before attending classes and graduating from Winona State University with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Her love for working with children took her to Northgate Health Club as director of the nursery there. After leaving her position at the health club, she worked at Rochester Methodist Hospital in the admissions department. Ongoing health problems caused her to be unable to work any longer. She began living in the Stewartville Care Center in the spring of 2021.
Lori was a kind and giving friend to many. She loved her nieces and nephews, later great-nieces and nephews, as if they were her own children. While working at the health club, she thoroughly enjoyed planning and holding the annual Halloween party there. The parents seemed to enjoy the party as much as the children! Lori loved spending time with her family and friends.
Lori had a deep faith in her lord and savior, Jesus Christ, and now has achieved the victory of joining Him in heaven.
Lori was preceded in death by her father, Don; her grandparents; her sister-in-law Christy Skinner; her aunt Marcia Wilke; her uncle Ron Kester; and her cousins Tod Wilke and Wayne Bellrichard.
Lori is survived by her mother, Phyllis Skinner, Eau Claire, WI; brothers David of Rochester and Mark and Thomas of Augusta, WI; 9 nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and nephews; aunts Rita Kester of Brownsdale, MN and Roxy Bellrichard of Albert Lea, MN; many cousins; and her long-time special friends Cindy Skinner, Mary Gosha, and Jill Ludowese Skinner of Rochester.
Services will be held later.
The family would like to thank the Stewartville Care Center staff for the wonderful care she received there and the staff at Mayo Clinic and Saint Marys Hospital for their help and support.
Memories and condolences of Lori may be shared at rochestercremationservicesmn.com
Lori made us always feel so special and welcome. She had such a great way of opening her heart and making us happy. What a great human being!
Maybe she was so talented and kept the little kiddos happy because she had a “child-like” way of looking at life. The world is certainly a better place having been lucky enough to have had her in it.