Mina Alt, 101, longtine resident of Washington County, passed away
Wednesday, July 29. 2009 at the Yuma District Hospital in Yuma, Colorado.

Mina May Skiles was born on December 21, 1907 to P.M. Skiles and Amy Florella Jackson Skiles in Ballard, Missouri. The Skiles family moved to Washington County Colorado in March 1910. They homesteaded 10 miles west and 2 miles south of Akron, in the spot where Mina's maternal grandfather Jackson had camped when he had made a trip across the plains from Nebraska to Pike Peaks Colorado.

Mina was united in marriage to Dan Alt, December 21, 1931 at the Presbyterian Manse in Akron, Colorado by Rev. James R. Harris.

Mina and Dan engaged in farming and ranching north of Akron until 1935 when they moved to their Ranch south of Akron. Mina and Dan moved into the town of Akron in 1963, but Mina and Dan continued with their interest in farming and cattle. Mina was still was very interested in what was happening out to the ranch until the time of her death.

Mina has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since 1951.

Mina has been a member of the Washington County Farm Bureau since 1946.

Mina was a 4-H leader for over 30 years. The Easter Colorado Roundup was a big part of Mina's life as she had attended the Fair from the time she was 3 years old until she was 99 years old. She missed not coming to the Fair, but the last 2 years of her life it just was to difficult for her to attend, but always was so interested in the CowBelle display and who got Grand Champion Heifer and Grand Champion Market Beef.

Mina joined the Elba Home Demonstration Club in 1941 and in 1951 helped organize the Washington County CowBelles. She was a lifetime member of the Washington County CowBells and the Colorado Cattlewomen Association and was a Charter Member of the National Cattlewomen's Association. Mina also belonged to the State and National Ladies Auxilary of the Soil Conservation. Mina was awarded the "Women of the Year" award for 1980 Southwestern Region of the Soil Conservation District. Mina was chosen as Cattlewomen of the year in 1985 and was honored at the State Cattlemen's Convention in Alamosa, Colorado. In November 2001 Washington County Cowbelles celebrated 50 year of being a local chapter, where Mina was honored for 50 year membership.

Mina and Dan were members of the Akron Roundup Club and members of the Horse Square Dancing Team. They performed at Akron, Brush, Yuma and Sterling Fair & Rodeos.

Mina was also and avid bowler and bowled twice a week until she was 86 years old. She also belonged to Washington County Museum.

Mina lived in her own home until October 2004 when she went to live at the Parrish Care Assisted Living in Yuma, Colorado. She was a resident at Parrish Care until April 23, 2009 when she became a resident of the Yuma Life Care Center.

Mina was preceded in death by her husband Dan Alt in 1999, her parents, one sister Clarice, brothers Carl, Harry, Perry and Glen.

Mina is survived by her two sons: Rodney Alt and wife, Sally of Surprise, AZ and Danny Alt and wife, Bernetta of Akron; two daughters: Conne Gray and husband, Roger of Akron, and Maridee Pruitt and husband, Frank of Bradyville, IA; 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, 1 niece and 4 nephews and a host of friends.

A Funeral Service was held Monday, August 3, 2009 at the First Prebyterian Church in Akron. Interment followed at Akron Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Akron or to the World Wildlife Fund. Brenner Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.