A Oregon couple with deep family ties with the ski community died in an avalanche that hit two states.
Terance 'Terry' Skjersaa, 57, and Susan 'Renee' Skjersaa, 52, Van Bend, died on Monday during the snowmobile in Happy Valley in the Deschutes National Forest after being buried under an avalanche.
The parents of two now leave their adult children Ellie and Jade Skjersaa.
The Skjersaa family has strong ties with the ski community in Bend, while Terry's grandparents, Olaf and Grace Skjersaa, the first ski shop of the city opened in 1939, according to the Bend Bulletin.
Terry and Susan even got their two daughters at a young age at the slopes and the father of two was a big fan of the sport.
“It's something that brings us all together,” Ellie told The Bend Bulletin. “That was the time we spent together, just enjoying each other's company. It was really special for us. '
Wade Willers, an old family friend, said that their death was a huge loss for the countless people involved in them in their lives. '
“They were the most beautiful people I know. It's just not logical, “he told Bulletin.
Terance 'Terry' Skjersaa, 57, and Susan 'Renee' Skjersaa, 52, Van Bend, died on Monday during the snowmobile in Happy Valley in the Deschutes National Forest after being buried under an avalanche
Terry and Renee have strong ties with the ski community in Bend, while Terry's grandparents, Olaf and Grace Skjersaa, opened the first ski store in the city in 1939
“These are expert skiers,” friend Tim Gibbons told The Outlet. “They were very experienced, they were fit, they were knowledgeable. It is still a shock. '
The Central Oregon Avalanche Center has brought a provisional determination that the couple was the cause of the fatal disaster after he had activated the avalanche that took place at 6,700 feet.
“The trigger is unknown, but it is likely that the riders have activated the avalanche themselves,” wrote it in a provisional report.
The avalanche traveled 320 vertical feet before struck a “tight lump of tree,” said the center. The disaster happened “probably in the afternoon,” it said.
Friends of the couple started looking for them around 7 p.m. and used their last known location as a guide, according to the Oregonian.
They found one of the bodies of the couple in a rubble field, according to the outlet.
The slope conditions of Monday were 'considerable' after it had been snowing since last week, which increased the chance of an avalanche.
Terry was followed in the footsteps of his family and had worked in the ski business during his younger years before he opened a real estate company under the family name.
The tragedy happened in the Deschutes National Forest (photo)
The Central Oregon Avalanche Center has for the time being determined that the couple was the cause of the fatal disaster, after he had activated the avalanche that took place at 6,700 feet
The avalanche traveled 320 vertical feet before struck a “tight lump of tree,” said the center. The disaster happened “probably in the afternoon,” he said
Monday's slope were 'considerable' after it had been snowing since last week, which increased the chance of an avalanche
The family had emigrated from Norway in 1917. Ten years later, the family would open a Skyliners Outdoor Sports Club before the store opened in the 1930s. According to the Bulletin, they eventually sold the company in the nineties.
Terry said in a business biography that he enjoyed 'skiing, cycling, camping' and spending time with his daughters and wife.
Renee was a professional learning specialist at Amplify, a position she took in June, according to her LinkedIn. She had previously been a Mathematics and Computer Science teacher at Bend Lapine Schools for almost 20 years.
James Grutts, who is now the owner of the family's ski store, called the couple 'great people'.
'Everyone in the staff is deeply sad because we were all friends of the Skjersaa's and they often visited the store and always brought smiles and positivity with their visit. They were filled with kindness and they will be seriously missed, “he told the oregonian.
