Catherine Louise 'Katie' Skala

On July 30, 2014, Katie flew away to be with the love of her life, her husband Milo Skala, where they will forever be young and happy together.

Catherine Louise Anderson was born July 1, 1919, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As a young woman she was a seamstress for a fur company in Cedar Rapids making long beautiful fur coats and mink stoles. She kept one of the mink stoles and wore it for years.

Catherine married Milo Skala at the age of 21 on April 21,1941. The second World War called Milo. He trained at the Naval Base in Farragut, Idaho. Catherine moved to Bellingham, Wash. where Milo received more training. Their first baby was born during the war in 1944. Milo was out on a ship and couldn't be home for the birth. He found out he had a baby boy while fighting for our country. After the war Milo was stationed in San Diego, then Catherine and Milo bought a home in the Los Angeles, Calif., area and raised their three children: Mickey, Nancy and Joseph.

Katie was a mom who always put her children first, but also worked at other jobs including the Glendale Door Co., as a manager at Hickory Farms, as a manager of a family owned shoe store, as well as working with the needy at the Salvation Army.

Katie loved her family, her husband and children, and especially family outings - the redwoods, Yosemite, Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Sea World, hiking, playing tennis with her husband, swimming and bicycling.

Katie and Milo especially enjoyed time spent with her sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Mac, with Mac barbecuing while they laughed and swam in Mac's large dough boy pool. She was an excellent baker, making wonderful Czechoslovakian pastries, among other delicacies.

In 2000 Milo and Katie moved to North Idaho to be near their youngest son, Joseph. Milo passed away in 2002.

Katie spent the last nine years of her life at Aspen Springs Assisted Living in Spirit Lake, Idaho, where she was happy and well cared for by family and staff who loved her like family. She was called "Mama" by everyone at Aspen Springs.

Katie was preceded in death by her husband, Milo. She is survived by her three children: Michael Skala, Nancy Marsh and Joseph Skala; four grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Katie was an awesome lady and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Mountain View Cemetery, in Athol, Idaho. You may visit Katie's on-line memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com