Polly Skahan

Polly Skahan, 303 South Minnesota Ave. Columbus, KS, died on the 7th of October, 2008 in St. John’s Regional Medical Center Joplin, MO, after a prolonged illness.  She was born on the 13th of September, 1934 in Amarillo, TX and was the daughter and only child of Pauline Hawn and Glen Howard.  Her mother died when Polly was only 5 years old and she was raised by her grandparents, Dr. C.E. and Dola Hawn in Adrian, TX.  As a teenager, she rejoined her father and step-mother in Tulsa, OK where Polly graduated from Webster High School.  She was an outstanding student and was selected to attend the American Legion sponsored Girls State. She was also elected as her senior class student council president, as well as the president of the greater Tulsa High School student councils.  In 1953, she enrolled in Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg, KS where she met her future husband Micheal N. Skahan of Columbus, KS.  They were married on the 16th of October, 1954 and they had five children, Lynda Warren of Pittsburg, KS, Karen Skahan of Houston, TX, Micheal Skahan II, Edward Skahan of Batavia, IL, and Thomas Skahan of Bella Vista, AR.  Her husband Micheal was a career army officer; and for over 30 years, Polly moved with her husband and family to live on many military installations in the United States as well as 6 years in Germany.  As a military wife, she was very active wherever they lived.  She was a leader in girl scouts, cub scouts, and religious education.

In 1985 after her husband retired from military service, the family returned to Columbus to reside in the family home on Minnesota Avenue. An active and creative person, Polly immediately became involved with the Cherokee County Genealogy Society and the Columbus museum. During the years working with both organizations, she was elected president and was presiding president of the Columbus museum when the new museum was dedicated.

Polly was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Micheal Skahan II.  She is survived by her husband, 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. Polly was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church, Columbus, KS.

The funeral Mass will be offered at 10AM Friday, 10th of October in St. Rose Catholic Church by Father Chrysostom Ah Maung.  Burial will be in St. Bridget’s Cemetery in Scammon. The Rosary will be said at 7PM Thursday, 9th of October at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Columbus. Callers at the funeral home are asked to use the Prestige Plant Entrance to get to the funeral home due to Highway construction.

Family members, relatives, and friends are invited to celebrate Polly’s life at the Rosary and Mass.  Remembrances may be made to Father Chris of St. Rose.  Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com.

Funeral arrangements are by Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Columbus.