Muleskinner

Issue date: 2/7/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Donna Story: Digitalburg.com State Farm agent, Wanda Skelton, right, and her office assistant Jessica, left, go over details with a customer on the phone. Skelton and her husband, Jim, have been working in Warrensburg since she graduated from UCM in 1968. [Click to enlarge]

Warrensburg is a typical college town, full of students and their youthful spirits. Most students who come to Warrensburg to attend UCM get a degree, and pack themselves off to more thriving metropolises.

Not many stay to make this town their home, devoting their lives to the betterment of the community and school. Wanda Skelton, a winter '68 graduate of Central Missouri, did just that.

Early years
Raised on a diary farm near Higginsville, Mo., Wanda was instilled with a passion for small towns and their close-knit communities. Thus, when it was time to choose a college, Central Missouri seemed a natural choice. Its location was very convenient, and Wanda said she loved it "from day one."

As a student, Wanda was very involved in campus activities and was even the president of Kappa Omicron Phi, an honors home-economics sorority. She was also a strong student. Wanda went to school full-time and worked as a waitress. Reminiscing about college, she talked of the busy days and how the school's then-quarterly schedule worked. Plunging ahead, Wanda completed her home economics teaching degree in only three years and one quarter.

In the midst of all that activity, Wanda also met her husband. Jim Skelton graduated from UCM before Wanda in 1967. The two were married shortly before Wanda completed her own degree.

Now, with a broad smile, Wanda said the two have been married for "39 wonderful years." It was here in Warrensburg the couple decided to make their home. The family eventually grew when they had their daughter, Carolyn, and their son, Paul.

Professional Life
Due to the shortage of home economics jobs at the time of Wanda's graduation, she started teaching elementary school. She truly enjoyed teaching children and taught for almost six years. From there, she joined her husband in real estate.

Continued...

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