Charles Oren Skellenger

Charles Oren Skellenger was born December 23^rd, 1938, in rural Adair County, Iowa in the family farmhouse. He passed on June 28^th, 2026, at the Walnut Ridge Care Center in Clive, IA.

Born in rural Adair County Iowa in the family farmhouse to George and Gertrude Skellenger. He was the youngest of four sons.

He attended country school and then to Menlo, Iowa for High School. He helped on the family farm and after high school went to University of Iowa. He wanted to be in Journalism. Unfortunately, his father had health problems, and he had to return home to help run the family farm. He showed cattle that they raised.

He attended community dances around the area. Eventually meeting Janet Walgenbach. Janet was in Nurses Training in Des Moines and then Charles joined the Air Force. Then on June 23^rd, 1962, they were united in marriage.

While serving in the Air Force he was stationed in Point Barrow, AK and then Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, NE. Charles was in communications and cryptography. While in Alaska, their daughter was born.

He then applied for a position with State Department in Washington, D.C. This led him to having a career in the Foreign Service and then the Diplomatic Corps for the United States.

He remained in communications and his first assignment was the American Embassy in Athens, Greece.

The next assignment came along, and this took them to Lima, Peru. Again, working in communications at the American Embassy in Lima. While serving there their son was born.

Then came the next assignment, it was to Cairo, Egypt.

Next up was the American Embassy in Paris, France.

Then back to Washington DC for working in various offices in State Department. After 4 years stateside, he was assigned back out in the field. This time it was to Copenhagen, Denmark.

There he was the General Service Officer and then the Admin Officer. This had him overseeing many aspects of keeping the Embassy running. A highlight was when Vice President Mondale came to Copenhagen. Charles had to work closely with the Danish Government, security etc. to secure things for the Vice President and entourage. Again, traveling Europe was in the cards for the family.

Then his next assignment was back in Washington, DC.  This time he worked in various divisions and finally in the Secretary of States office, with then Secretary Charles Schultz. He travelled extensively with the Secretary of State and other dignitaries. One of his highlights was the remodel of the Secretary’s office. Everyone was impressed.

Once it was time to retire. He did. But then went right into contract work for State Department. He worked with various agencies on many projects. One of his greatest accomplishments was the security and details that went into pulling off the G7 Economic Summit in Houston, TX in 1990. He spent time in Houston and Texas preparing.

Charles and Janet bought a camper and then upgraded to a motor home. Then they decided it was time to truly retire and see the United States. For several years they just traveled the US visiting family, friends and seeing new things. Eventually they ended up in Alamo, TX. They made that their winter home. For a year they traveled in the summer. Then they started wintering in Alamo, TX and summers in Grimes, IA.

Then eventually it was time to just live in Grimes, IA. Then they were lucky enough to find a place in Clive, IA.

Charles did not know a stranger. He enjoyed traveling, family, making stained glass, dancing especially when they lived in Texas, baking cookies and making peanut brittle during the holidays.

Charles has left behind his wife Janet of 64 years, daughter Joni Bylo and her husband Tracy Bylo, son David Skellenger, and his wife Merideth Skellenger. Two granddaughters, Heather Knox and Kristel Groenewold and their spouses Brodie Knox and Nate Groenewold. Four great grandchildren, Makayla, Lincoln, Oliver, and Nora. A sister-in-law and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents George and Gertrude Skellenger, his brothers Vernon, Loren, and Max, two sisters-in-law, two nephews and one niece.

There will be a Celebration of Life at the Walnut Ridge Senior Living Apartments on Tuesday July 9^th at 1pm followed by cake, cookies, and punch to exchange stories and memories of Charles.

The family will have a service at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at a later date.