Mardell Burch Skaggs, a native of Cherokee County, died on September 19, 2023 in Dana Point California; she was 85 years old. Mardell died of complications from a stroke that occurred in 1991 and she bravely persevered through significant disability for 32 years. Her devoted husband, Robert (Bob) Skaggs of San Juan Capistrano, cared for Mardell for many years at home.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 10:30 am at the Boothby Funeral Home located at 207 East Main Street, Cherokee, Iowa.  Burial will take place at Pleasant View Cemetery in Meriden, Iowa.  Pastor Mike Agnew will officiate. A public visitation with the family present will be held on Friday, October 6 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 pm at the Boothby Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com

Mardell was born on January 29, 1938, in rural Marcus, Iowa to Forrest (Buster) and Dorris (McKee) Burch and lived for many years on their farm outside of Meriden. Mardell graduated from Meriden High school in 1956, attended Morningside College in Sioux City and graduated with a teacher's certificate.

In 1959 she married her high school sweetheart, Bob whose family farmed in Cleghorn and Cherokee. Together they followed Bob's career from Iowa to Yankton, South Dakota; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Florissant, Missouri; Champagne, Illinois; Freehold, New Jersey; Orange and, ultimately, San Juan Capistrano California.

Mardell went back to school to complete a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Education along with California teaching and administrative credentials at California State University, Fullerton in 1974.  In 1992, she received her Doctorate in Education Administration from the University of La Verne in La Verne, California.  She taught for many years and became an elementary school principal working in the Placentia, Whittier, and Saddleback Valley Unified School Districts. Mardell retired early at 53 years of age due to having a stroke.

Mardell loved antiquing, playing cards, boating, water skiing, traveling to Lake Havasu, entertaining, visiting family in Iowa and Missouri, reading and spending time with her granddaughters.  She was a fierce advocate of public education and instilled an amazing Midwestern work ethic in her children and grandchildren. Even though she battled with significant disability for 32 years, she found a way to enjoy life and took great pleasure in her children, grandchildren and their endeavors and successes.

She is survived by her husband Bob of 64 years of San Juan Capistrano, California and children Michelle Skaggs Lawrence (Pete) of San Juan Capistrano; Jeff Skaggs (Tricia) of Lake Forest, California; and Steven Skaggs of Orange, California. Mardell has four granddaughters: Emily, Allison, Hannah and Amanda, all of whom grew up close by and were blessed by the presence of their grandmother.

Mardell was preceded in death by her parents Forrest and Dorris Burch; sister Verlee Burch Gronemeyer and her husband Russ and; sister- in- law Joyce Skaggs Lambert and her husband Bill.