Roma Joyce Skaggs

Roma Joyce (Collett) Skaggs, 85, passed away on April 6, 2025 at Goshen Home Care in Shawnee, Kansas.

She was born on December 1, 1939 to Henry and Ethel (Higgins) Collett in Marion, Kansas. She enjoyed being one of 9 siblings in this large farm family. She was the 5th of 5 girls and the 6th child born to the couple. She participated in marching band, Girl’s State, choir and theater at Marion High School.

Roma attended Kansas University and obtained her teaching certificate. She taught elementary music and kindergarten at Marquette High School and it was here that she met and was married to Richard Lyle Erickson of Assaria KS from 1959 to 1984. They had 3 children. Roma worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, later A, T & T for 15 years. She met and married William P Skaggs in 1987 and they lived in Topeka until his death in 2018. Roma had gifts for music, art and baking. She contributed her gifts by singing in the church choir, making wedding cakes for nieces and nephews, and by growing gorgeous roses and sunflowers in her garden. She loved to spread positivity by creating joy for others. She loved spending time with grandchildren and extended family.

She had been a member of Highland Park United Methodist Church in Topeka, KS since 1988. She sang in the church choir, served as a reader and participated in a women’s circle for many years. She moved to the Kansas City area in 2018 to be near family.

Roma is survived by her daughters Konnie (Steve) Schuman (Lenexa KS) and Joani (Wayne) Jones (Albuquerque NM) and son Dana (Jennifer) Erickson (Dunwoody GA); brothers Howard Collett, Mark Collett and Stacey Collett (all of Marion KS), sisters Shirley Bowers (Marion KS), Anita Sly (Salina KS) and Clarice Hammer (Olathe KS). She is also survived by stepchildren Michael D (Bev) Skaggs (Sun City AZ), Marianne (Charlie) Pitts Skaggs (Swansea Il), Annette (Dan) Rohde (Overland Park KS) and Michael S (Linda) Skaggs (Olathe KS). She had 10 grandchildren and step grandchildren: Joel Schuman (Minneapolis MN), Eric Schuman (Kansas City KS), Kelsie (Colson) Wilhoit (Lee’s Summit MO), Katlin (John) Grindle (Flowery Branch GA), Hayden Erickson (Dunwoody GA), Matthew Rohde (Olathe KS), Emily Rohde (Longmont CO) and Steven Rohde (Colorado Springs CO), Elaine (Michael) Bestenlehner (Gilbert AZ) and Kathy (David) Jaffe (Angelus Oaks CA). She also has 8 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father Henry Collett, mother Ethel Mae Collett, sister Marjorie Talbott, brother Steve Collett and great-granddaughter Violet Erickson.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025, 10:00 am, with visitation beginning at 9:00 am, both at Highland Park United Methodist Church, 2914 SE Michigan Ave, Topeka, KS 66605, with Pastor Marshall Larson, officiating.

Graveside Service will take place after a luncheon at the church after the service on Saturday, April 19, 2025 12:30 pm at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Capper Foundation of Topeka, 3500 SW 10th Ave, Topeka KS 66604. Online at www.capper.org

To share a memory of Roma or leave a special message for her family, visit the guest book below.