Loren LeRoy Skidmore

On Sunday, September 14, 2025, beloved father, grandfather, and friend passed away at the age of 91 years.

Loren was born on April 11, 1934 in Mabton, Washington to the late George and Kathryn (Hards) Skidmore. Loren graduated from Mabton High School in 1952, then continued to work on the Skidmore family farm and as a television and radio repairman. On December 15, 1962, Loren married the love of his life, Marilyn Ione Rice. Loren and Marilyn raised a son, David Loren, and a daughter, Mary Kathryn “Kathy”, on the family farm, while Loren also served for many years on the Mabton school board. In 1987, Loren and Marilyn moved to Saginaw, Michigan. There, Loren successfully started a second career as a realtor. Loren and Marilyn later retired to Dupont, Washington, where they lived until Marilyn’s death in 2021. Loren returned to Michigan in 2022 and lived at Hampton Manor of Merrill Assisted Living in Merrill, Michigan, until his passing.

In addition to being a selfless, hard-working provider for his family, Loren will be remembered as a gifted storyteller who left his friends and family with a trove of vividly shared memories of growing up in the Great Depression and World War II, hunting in the box canyons of the Horseheaven Hills, farming in the Yakima Valley, serving on the Mabton school board, selling homes in Michigan, traveling in retirement, and his many other adventures along the way.

Perhaps most of all, Loren will be remembered for his gentle kindness, which only grew with time. At his assisted living residence, he felt called to befriend newcomers and make them feel welcome, loved, and understood in the midst of profound change and loss.

Loren was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marilyn, his parents, George and Kathryn, siblings Lloyd, Robert, Delores, John, and twin sister, Lois. He is survived by his son, David (Teri) of Merrill, Michigan, his daughter, Kathy (Douglas) of DuPont, Washington, seven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and many extended family members and friends who loved Loren dearly and were loved equally in return.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Crossroads Church, 7090 S Graham Road, Saint Charles, MI 48655. Flowers may be sent to the church, or memorial donations made to the church In lieu of flowers.