Iva Dawn Skelton
courtesy photo
Iva Dawn Skelton
RONAN — On May 18, 2014, Iva Dawn Skelton was called home and found her peace. Iva was born Dec. 17, 1968, in Polson to James D. and Donna J. Skelton. She attended grade schools in Polson, Ronan, and Charlo and graduated eighth grade from Charlo. She attained her GED at the University of Washington in Pullman, Wash. and then attended the college in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, for a year.
Iva returned to the valley and moved to Cut Bank where she worked until traveling with a friend to Kenai, Alaska. She worked on the fishing boats in Alaska for several years and then returned to Montana. Iva attended Salish Kootenai Community College and obtained her CDL, which led her to an occupation in truck driving hauling logs. She drove for construction companies, hauled wheat and eventually settled in Columbia Falls where she drove a truck hauling logs. She then attended the Flathead Valley Community College and after certifying as a CNA worked in nursing homes. She also received certification to work toward being a pharmacy technician but because of failing health was unable to continue. Iva made the most of life and was always entertaining. She was deeply loved by her nieces and nephews who loved to listen to her travel stories.
Iva is survived by her parents Jim (Karen) Skelton and Donna Skelton; grandmother Alois Nadine “Curley” Burland Faulkner; her sons Jake (Kayla) Skelton and Jordon Skelton; brothers Eric (Kendra) Skelton and Curtis (Jennifer) Skelton; sister Lori Wall (Gari) Gaustad; nephews Brent Skelton and Todd (Kenzi) Skelton, Wrangler and Levi Gaustad; nieces Kendra Skelton, Kylie Skelton, Kierstyn Skelton and Sakoya Gaustad; uncles Clark (Crissy) Choate, Mike (Caro) Trahan, and Ron (Vi) Trahan; her aunt Pearl Choate Severtson; and many cousins and friends.
Iva was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother Augusta Ratzburg Ross; paternal grandparents Curtis Buster and Betty Skelton; uncles Robert Choate and Art (Gloria)Trahan.
Condolences may be left at: fosterfhandcrematory.com.
