An Oregon couple with a rich history in the skiing community tragically passed away this week in a devastating avalanche that struck across two states.

Terance “Terry” Skjersaa, 57, and his wife Susan “Renee” Skjersaa, 52, from Bend, died on Monday while snowmobiling in Happy Valley, located within the Deschutes National Forest.

A Family Tied to Skiing

The Skjersaa family has been a cornerstone of Bend’s skiing culture for generations.

Terry’s grandparents, Olaf and Grace Skjersaa, opened the town’s first ski shop in 1939, setting the foundation for what would become a deeply ingrained family legacy in the sport.

Terry and Renee passed this passion down to their daughters, Ellie and Jade, getting them on the slopes at an early age.

Skiing wasn’t just a sport for the family – it was a bond that united them.

Ellie Skjersaa fondly reflected on her memories with her parents, sharing with The Bend Bulletin, “It’s something that’s brought us all together…just enjoying each other’s company. It was really special to us.”

Remembering Their Legacy

The loss of Terry and Renee has left a deep void in the hearts of those who knew them.

Family friend Wade Willers described their deaths as a “tremendous loss,” adding that, “They were the most beautiful humans that I know. It just doesn’t make sense.”

Tim Gibbons, another close friend, remembered the couple as seasoned skiers, emphasizing their expertise and fitness.

“They were highly experienced, they were fit, they were knowledgeable. It’s still a shock,” he said.

Cause of the Tragic Avalanche

The Central Oregon Avalanche Center has determined that the avalanche, which occurred at a steep 6,700 feet, was likely triggered by the snowmobilers themselves.

According to the report, the avalanche covered 320 vertical feet before hitting a cluster of trees, a devastating impact that buried the couple under the snow.

Conditions on the slopes that day were considered “considerable,” with recent snowfall increasing the avalanche risk.

After realizing their friends were missing, their search party began around 7 p.m., eventually finding one of the couple’s bodies in the debris field.

A Family’s Rich History in Skiing and Teaching

Terry had followed in his family’s footsteps, working in the ski industry in his younger years before eventually venturing into real estate.

The Skjersaa family had emigrated from Norway in 1917 and made their mark on Bend by opening an outdoor sports club and the ski shop, which they sold in the 1990s.

Renee was a dedicated professional learning specialist at Amplify, a role she started in June.

Before that, she had spent nearly two decades as a math and computer science teacher at Bend-La Pine Schools, where she was well-respected for her work in education.

A Community Mourns

James Gritters, who now owns the family’s former ski shop, expressed his sorrow, calling the couple “amazing people.”

He added, “Everyone on staff is deeply saddened as we were all friends of the Skjersaa’s and they frequented the shop often and always brought smiles and positivity with their visit.

They were filled with kindness and they will be sorely missed.”

The Skjersaa family’s untimely death has left the Bend community and beyond in mourning as they remember the couple’s enduring contributions to both the skiing world and their local community.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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