Dorothy Skaufel

Dorothy Skaufel, 94, passed away peacefully at her Aurora home on October 24, 2025. Born in Mott, North Dakota, she was the fifth of nine children born to Valentine and Emelia Senn. After growing up on the family farm and working as a bank teller in town, she met Richard Skaufel—at either a dance or a baseball game, depending on who told the story—and married in 1956.

Dorothy lived in Idaho and California before making Aurora her home in 1970. As a loving mother to five children—Pam, Brenda, Rod, Tim, and Linda—she dedicated herself to raising her family. In the mid-1970s, she returned to the workforce in retail, working at Hallmark and Joslins at Buckingham Square Mall. Known for her impeccable sense of style, Dorothy was always elegantly dressed and never without her signature dark red lipstick.

Dorothy was a devout Catholic and active member of St. Therese, Queen of Peace, and St. Michael parishes, where she served as a Eucharistic minister and volunteered in various capacities. In her younger years, she bowled in a league, could be seen cheering from the sidelines at her sons' sporting events, and shared fits of uncontrollable laughter with her daughters around the kitchen table. She loved to travel, dance, play cards, and was an incredible cook and baker known best for her chicken enchiladas and chocolate chip cookies.

She is survived by her five children, 16 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, two brothers, and four sisters.

Visitation and rosary will be held at Horan & McConaty on November 5, beginning at 4pm. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Queen of Peace Catholic Church on November 6, at 10 a.m. Burial at Fort Logan National Cemetery will be private for immediate family.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Proverbs 31 Woman