The family of Gordon Skillingstad would like you to know that he died January 21, 2021. Gordon had been living and dealing with cancer, with monthly treatments, for 18 years. We are indebted to his doctors Corliss Newman and Jan Graham and his care team at Deaconess Cancer Care for taking great care of him all these years and to Hospice of Spokane for caring for him with such love and tenderness these past few weeks.
Gordon was born in Mobridge, South Dakota, on July 26, 1936, to Earl and Eleanor Skillingstad. They came to Spokane in 1943 when Earl was working in Roosevelt’s WPA program. Gordon attended grade school at Bancroft, Alcott, McKinley and Lincoln and graduated in 1955 from Lewis and Clark High School. He was a three year letterman in football and baseball. He then went to EWCE on a baseball scholarship. He was the first in his family to graduate from high school and then college.
After graduation Gordon taught PE, 6th grade and coached for 10 years at Cooper and one year at Balboa. He then proudly moved to his alma mater, L.C., where he taught Driver Education for 27 years. He taught over 7,000 teenagers how to drive. He obviously had nerves of steel. He also taught several Catholic Sisters in their 70’s how to drive. He said they were the scariest to teach, but were the most fun and always arrived with prayers and cookies.
Gordon and Diane Duncan met in December of 1956, were engaged in December of 1957, married in December of 1958, and had their first child in December of 1959. Gordon quickly became a much loved member of Grant and Zelma Duncan’s family.
Without a doubt Gordon Skillingstad was a Force to be Reckoned with. He overcame a disadvantaged childhood and attained his goals as an adult. He loved teaching, golfing with his sons and friends, watching sports, playing poker, supporting and celebrating our accomplishments, and giving us all an unlimited amount of advice.
Gordon’s attitude throughout all his years of health issues was amazing. It brought out the best in him and the best in us as well. He taught us to enjoy each day no matter what we were going through. Gordon’s greatest wish was that we love and take care of each other.
Gordon is survived by his wife Diane, children Greg, Lynn, Steven and Julan, and Michael Skillingstad. His grandchildren - Jennifer Brasch, Cami Hodge, Amy and Jason Sevy, Steve and Loni Brasch, Nicole and Paul Walker, Tyler and Shae Alos, Samantha and Jake Menne, Megan Skillingstad, and his L.C. buddy Shaina Skillingstad. His great grandchildren - Gabriel and Kellen Hodge, Braden Brasch, Gigi Prisby, Clara and Ellie Walker, Jorgan Menne, Liam Alos and Georgie Sevy. He is also survived by his sister Kay Depue, his sister Cheryl and her husband Bruce Whitemarsh, his brother in law Jay and his wife Jodi Duncan and many nieces and nephews.
Gordon didn’t want a service, but we’ll have a celebration of our Viking Warrior’s life and legacy of love in the summer.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BallandDodd.com for the Skillingstad family.
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