Marianne Skold passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023 at the age of 89.

On May 7, 1934, Marianne started life on a family farm near Haxtun. From stories she told, it was clear she happily had many adventures with her sister and two brothers. These were many good memories she retained until end of life. She graduated Sterling High School and her diligence resulted in a music scholarship to University of Colorado Boulder. Barely a month after graduation, she married her high school sweetheart Glenn Skold. They resided in Fort Collins and Denver before moving to Liberty, Mo. where they spent most of their adult lives.

Music was her passion. It was interweaved throughout her personal and professional life. Marianne shared her love of it with her family and community. From singing, directing, and marching as a public school teacher, to serving as a pianist, vocalist, director and handbell ringer with her faith community, she loved to share her passion. Many high school students benefited from her accompanist services for free (her daughter was shocked to later learn how much those services actually cost). After raising her two daughters, she developed her vocal skills studying at William Jewell College. Her talent was recognized by the Kansas City Chorale and she was invited to join. She toured Europe with it and enjoyed singing along the way. She also pursued a graduate degree from University of Missouri at Kansas City earning a Music Therapy certification.

In the last years of her life, music and music therapy were ways to engage her. After her spouse passed, she was lovingly cared for by her daughters: one nearby and one from afar. Her daughter will treasure hearing her sing carols with a music therapist and chaplain in December shortly before she passed.

She is dearly missed and survived by her sister Virginia Allen; brother Edward and wife Judy Kinzie and Douglas Kinzie; daughters Laurie Skold and Elizabeth and husband Kevin Gertig; granddaughter Krista and husband Austin Endel; grandson Zackry and wife Taylor Gertig; as well as by many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by parents Virgil and Catherine Kinzie and her spouse of 60 years Glenn Skold.

Memorial Services will be held in Haxtun this spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to 1st Presbyterian Church of Liberty at 138 N Main Street Liberty, MO 64068.