Posted: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:00 am
Sept. 25, 1916 - Dec. 26, 2008
Lucile Annetta Eskeldson, 92, of Lebanon, died Dec. 26, 2008 at a foster care home in Medford.
Cremation is being performed by Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives in Medford. A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Lebanon at a future date.
She was born on Sept. 25, 1916, in Delta, Utah, the daughter of Ralph E. and Margaret (Tinsley) King.
The family moved to Grants Pass, where she graduated from high school in 1934.
She attended Albany College in Albany, which later became Lewis and Clark College in Portland.
She was a member of Theta Sigma sorority and active in campus activities.
She married John R. Eskeldson on June 9, 1938 in Albany. They moved to Lebanon and became active in the First Presbyterian Church and other organizations. She taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. She was actively involved in Home Extension, PTA, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, PEO and the Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children and was a CASA volunteer.
In 1940, they purchased a small farm along the South Santiam River on Berlin Road.
Mrs. Eskeldson returned to school at age 40, commuting to Oregon State College to renew her teaching credentials. In 1957, she started a cooperative preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds at First Presbyterian. She taught at the preschool for 40 years, retiring in 1998.
She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law John and Nancy Eskeldson of Hillsboro and Dan and Karen Eskeldson of Beaverton; son David Eskeldson of Scio; daughter Marilyn Patterson and husband Bill of Medford; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Her husband John died in 2000. Her baby sister Alameda King, son Robert and brother Edward King died before she did.
Memorial contributions may be given to First Presbyterian Church of Lebanon or organizations to benefit children such as SMART, CASA and HeadStart.
7, of McMinnville, died Dec. 21, 2008, at Willamette Valley Medical Center in McMinnville. Services were held on Friday, Dec. 26, 2008, in McMinnville. Private interment was at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Lebanon.