Joan Lousie Skyles

Middleton / Janesville - Joan L. Skyles, Middleton, formerly of Janesville, died at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. She was born in South Bend, Ind., on December 1, 1925, to Carter and Irene (Mayer) Jenkins and had recently celebrated her 99th birthday. Joan graduated from Niles High School, Michigan, in 1943 where she was an accomplished piano and clarinet player. She received a B.A. degree in Education from Western Michigan University in 1947.

Joan married Richard E. Skyles in Niles, Mich., on June 28, 1947. They were together for 73 years until Dick’s death on April 21, 2021. They spent their early years of married life in Niles, moving to Janesville in 1963. In 2010, they relocated to the Attic Angel community in Middleton to be close to their daughter and family. Dick and Joan spent many winters in the Phoenix area in their retirement years.

Joan was a public-school educator in Niles and Janesville for 25 years, retiring in 1982. She taught kindergarten through second grade at Jefferson, Van Buren and Harrison schools. She enjoyed sharing her love of reading with her students, introducing them to the classic stories of Winnie the Pooh, Peter Rabbit and Paddington Bear.

Joan’s hands where constantly moving creating exquisite knitted sweaters, hats, mittens, etc. for family and friends who treasured these gifts. She undertook the huge project of knitting beautiful Christmas stockings for her whole family. When she wasn’t knitting, she was stitching needle point and cross stitch pictures and pillows for her home.

She was a huge tennis fan, glued to her TV set when the Grand Slam Tennis tournaments were being played. She religiously checked her Wisconsin State Journal to find out when the Badgers, Packers and Brewers were playing. Many of her wardrobe items included her favorite team colors, sometimes wearing Badgers red for the entire week before a big game.

Joan is survived by her daughter, Kristine Sonnentag (Kurt) of Middleton; granddaughter, Sarah Zephirin (Greg) and great-grandsons, Zakary and Jaksen of Tigard, Ore.; granddaughter, Susannah Welch (Mike) and great-grandsons, Lincoln and Cruz of Middleton; and grandson, James Sonnentag of of Nashville, Tenn. In addition to her husband, Richard, she was preceded in death by her parents; son, Richard C. Skyles; and great-grandson, Carter Moll.

A heartfelt thank you to all the staff at Attic Angel Place who lovingly cared for her during the past seven years. These caregivers truly became family to her.

A memorial service will be held at FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 54 S. Jackson St., Janesville, at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 27, 2025, where Joan was a member for 60 years. Pastor Naomi Garber will be presiding. A burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Janesville. A visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.

Memorials may be gifted in Joan’s name to Attic Angel Place (www.atticangel.org) and First Congregational UCC in Janesville.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761