Laura Jo Skinner Tomseth Gildersleeve

Laura Jo Skinner Tomseth Gildersleeve passed away in her home on February 21 2019, (the birth and death date of her daughter, Valerie Deloretto) of complications from pneumonia. With peaceful conviction and without fear, she joined her dearly loved daughter and husband, Roger Gildersleeve. She was 85 years old. Laura Jo was born and raised in Springfield, Oregon, in a loving, hard working home. At an early age, she worked paying jobs in the bean and strawberry fields. She had fond memories of working beside her mother, canning fresh fruits and vegetables. After high school, she married Jerry Tomseth and moved to Kalispell Montana in 1959. In Montana, she developed long lasting family friendships and fostered many fond memories at Flathead Lake. Laura Jo and family moved to Bend, Oregon in 1968 and shortly after, Jerry passed away. In 1970, Laura Jo fell head over heels for Roger Gildersleeve, a handsome 40-year-old athletic bachelor. It was then, she said, that the adventures began. They backpacked, canoed, fished, and camped along the Deschutes and Umpqua rivers, drove a camper to Alaska with two teenage boys, and biked through Europe several times. They often shared these experiences with their wickedly fun and hardy friends. Laura Jo lived a vibrant life. She was a bookkeeper for the Book Barn in downtown Bend and was especially happy working as a travel agent, taking advantage of the benefits. She and Ma ry Carlson bravely escorted groups of women to Europe, again proving she was a robust and adventurous soul. When not working or traveling, Laura Jo's creativity unfolded through her watercolor paintings, which warmed her home. After Roger passed in 2016, Laura Jo continued to paint and travel. Her days were on the go playing bridge, attending PEO, discussions with her book club, lunches with the "pub group", and dinner with her "therapy" friends. At the center of Laura Jo's Iife were her close friends and the Presbyterian Church, where she served as an elder. After Roger passed, she cherished time spent with her children. From Val's ever-present company, to weekly coffee visits with Matt, she relished their conversation and laughter. A life rich with adventure, hard work, and laughter, Laura Jo was a woman who was softened at the edges and tempered with a strong spirit. Her joyful presence and love for life will be missed. Laura Jo is survived by her two sons Matt (Diana) Tomseth of Bend, Mark (Marcia) Tomseth of Vancouver; brother Jerry (Millie) Skinner of Corvallis; and grandchildren, Kristen (Jeff) Ward of Bend, Mark (Katie) Tomseth Jr. of Beaverton; Sarah Tomseth of Beaverton; Madeline and Dane Tomseth of Portland; Cassandra and Connor Tomseth of Vancouver; and four great grandchildren. A celebration of Laura Jo's life will be held Saturday, March 30th at 11:00 am, at the the Presbyterian Church (230 NE 9th Street, Bend, Oregon). A reception will follow at Tetherow Resort (61240 Skyline Ranch Road, Bend, Oregon). Memorial donations may be made to the Presbyterian Church, 230 NE 9th Street, Bend, Oregon 97702, or the KIDS Center, 1375 NW Kingston Ave, Bend, Oregon 97701. "Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art." - Maya Angelou Funeral Home: Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home 105 NW Irving Ave Bend, OR US 97701

Tributes

Laura Jo Skinner Tomseth Gildersleeve

February 21, 2019