Patricia J. Skeels

Born in Roseburg on Dec. 4, 1938, to Thelma (Joyce) and Freddie Rae Scherner, Patsy had three siblings: Carolyn Scherner, Marilee Scherner Olson and Thomas Scherner. She attended Fullerton II Elementary, Central Junior High (destroyed by the Roseburg Blast of '59) and graduated from Roseburg High School in 1957, where she met her high school sweetheart, Fred Skeels.
Patsy attended Linfield College in McMinnville before transferring to Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, where both she and Fred graduated with degrees in education. Their first two children, Diana Liz and Leanne Marie, were born in South Carolina and their third child, Serena Lynn, was born in Astoria, Oregon.
After graduate school at the University of Oregon, Patsy taught eighth grade English at Joseph Lane Junior High in Roseburg while Fred taught math at Fremont. They were active members of the Conservative Baptist Church (now Wellspring) and taught adult Sunday school classes over the years.
Patsy and Fred raised their three daughters in the home they built on the North Umpqua River, with the little girls lending a hand. The river became an integral part of their lives, offering swimming, fishing and blackberry picking. Patsy taught her daughters to ride and train horses as well as how to show confidence by writing and speaking clearly.
Patsy's life passion was reading. From sixth grade until she could no longer see the words, she read at least a book a week. This habit led her to acquire extensive knowledge of literature and the world, which she shared through incisive wisdom at opportune moments.
After retirement, Patsy and Fred built a home on Tenmile Lake, a gathering spot for family and friends. She welcomed everyone into her home without judgment. She spent countless hours at the lake researching and documenting family history. For their 50th wedding anniversary, Patsy took the entire family to Disneyland where Patsy and Fred had visited on their honeymoon.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Frederick Verl Skeels, daughters Diana Liz Dettwyler of Salem, Oregon, Leanne Marie Bennett (Steve), of Twin Falls, Idaho and Serena Lynn Morones (Tony), of Idanha, Oregon, 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Patsy was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Marilee Scherner Olson.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on July 25, 2024, at Wellspring Bible Fellowship in Roseburg at 2245 NW Kline St. A reception in the Fireside Room will follow.