Mary Frances (Van Wagenen) Skattum, age 90 of Argyle, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 at Lafayette Manor in Darlington surrounded by the love of her family.  She was born Sept. 9, 1925, the daughter of John and Harriett (Eley) Van Wagenen in Monroe where she spent her early life except for 5 years when the family lived in Minnesota.  Mary graduated from Monroe High School in 1943 and worked at The Monroe Times and as a Dental Assistant until her marriage.  On Aug. 15, 1948, she married Harland Skattum in Monroe at St. John’s Church. They worked side by side on the family «Fern Valley Farm» near Argyle until their retirement in 1991.  For several years Mary worked for R. Finley Barry during tax season and also volunteered at Argyle Public Schools until her husband became ill.  Mary was a longtime member of Apple Grove Lutheran Church where she served as a Sunday School Teacher and a committed member of the WELCA.  She and her husband also managed the Apple Grove Church Cemetery Association for over 47 years.  Mary was a faithful blood donor who gave over 18 gallons, a member of the Lafayette County Board of Health and Election Official for Fayette Township for many years.  She loved to quilt and furnished quilts for her family, church, Fayette Township and Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County Auxiliary.  She was a dedicated farmwife who enjoyed doing things for others.
Mary is survived by her children: Beth (Delton) Fransen and Jim (Dawn) Skattum, both of Argyle; grandchildren: Doug (Tam) Gierhart, Brenda (Brandon) Lantz, Olin (Laurie) Skattum, Ross Skattum and Kristin (Derek) Luchsinger; great-grandchildren: Jay, Corey, Hannah and Ella Gierhart, Alysabeth and Tori Lantz, Colton Nyman and Jase Luchsinger; two step-grandchildren, three step great grandchildren and one step great-great granddaughter.  She is further survived by her sisters-in-law: Jean Van Wagenen, Beverly Van Wagenen, both of Monroe and Irene Skattum of Madison; her brothers-in-law: Roy Beach of Baraboo, Wayne Shelton of Janesville and Edgar Tachon of Oregon; the 23 cousins of the «Van Clan», the Skattum family and many other family members and friends; special family members: Bonnie Vlasak, Laurie Guthrie, Jeff Penniston and Jerry, Robin, Austin and Kaity Heath. She was preceded in death by her husband: Harland in 2003; her parents; three sisters: Betty Ann in a fire in 1925, Ruth Beach and Carol Shelton; four brothers: Bob, Don, Jim and Jerry Van Wagenen; sisters-in-law: Boots Van Wagenen, Lucille Schaber, Evelyn Kilpatrick, Agnes Tachon; and brother-in-law: Russ Kilpatrick.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Apple Grove Lutheran Church in rural Argyle with Rev. Daniel L. Bohlman officiating.  Burial will be in Apple Grove Church Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Friday, March 4, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Erickson Funeral Home in Argyle, (801 Milwaukee Street). Per Mary›s wishes, memorials will be given to a list of worthy organizations that Mary has chosen.
«Mother Mary» was one of a kind and will be sadly missed, but she leaves us all with more memories than we can count.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Upland Hills Hospice and Lafayette Manor for their compassion and tender care of Mary.