July 28, 1942 - July 01, 2015
Winifred “Winnie” Richards (Schmidt) Skaare of Kennewick, WA passed away unexpectedly on July 1st, 2015 at the age of 72. She passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, WA. Winnie was born on July 28th, 1942 in Memphis, TN where she also spent her youth. She grew up with three adoring and mischievous brothers: Robert, Warren, and Albert. She graduated from Treadwell High School in 1960 and achieved a BA in Journalism from Memphis State University. On October 11, 1964 Winnie married her Prince Charming, Gerald (Jerry) Skaare at Highland Heights Methodist Church in Memphis, TN. Winnie tirelessly supported Jerry’s Navy career which took them from Memphis to Sanford, FL, Virginia Beach and finally to settle for 18 wonderful years in Oak Harbor, WA. While Jerry was deployed, Winnie and the kids were embraced by their friends in the Presbyterian Church community. Jerry’s next career brought the family to Kennewick, WA where she and Jerry have resided since 1984. In addition to her most challenging jobs as a Navy wife and mother, Winnie worked for the Whidbey News Times and Giant Nickel, at NAS Whidbey Hospital Environmental Health Services, and as an office manager at Lutheran Social Services in Kennewick until she retired. Winnie’s greatest joys in life were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had a thoroughly generous heart, always giving and caring for others. Her favorite times were spent with family and friends, and always with Jerry, the love of her life, on adventurous travels near and far, immersing themselves in music, and expressing their avid zeal for the Tri-City Americans, Seattle Mariners, and Seattle Seahawks. Winnie is survived by her adoring husband, Gerald (Jerry) Skaare; her children, Melissa and Larry Halverson, Erin King and partner Mike Koplitz, and Chris and Jacquie Skaare; her siblings, Warren and Jeri Schmidt, Albert and Carolyn Schmidt, and Janet and Steve Sims; her grandchildren, Keith and Jacki Tyler, Brittany and Gage Kulland, John Tyler and fiancee Amber Dawson, Reign King, Radalyn King, Lauren Skaare and Lottie Skaare; her great-grandchildren, Adaira Tyler and Georgiana Kulland; and her two toy poodles, Koko and Pelli. Winnie is preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Lottie Schmidt; her in-laws, Cliff and Meta Skaare; her brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Elizabeth Schmidt; her nephew, Danny Schmidt; her aunt Pauline; and her toy poodle, Breezer. A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. on July 25 at Whidbey Presbyterian Church, 1148 SE 8th Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277. A small gathering and celebration of life will also be held at the family home in Kennewick at 1 p.m. on August 1. The family requests that any memorial donations be made to the organization of your choice. The three that were closest to Winnie’s heart are St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Whidbey Presbyterian Church, and Kennewick First Presbyterian Church. - Arrangements are being handled by Community Cremation & Funeral, Spokane, WA. Please visit their website and share your stories in the guest book.
