Carolyn Skeen

Carolyn Tribe Skeen

September 22, 1931 ~ August 1, 2014

Carolyn Tribe Skeen, age 82, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family Friday, August 1st, 2014.

She was born in Ogden on September 22, 1931 to Dr. Leland Foulger and Carrie Rosella (Rose) Compton Tribe.  She was the second of three children. Carolyn grew up in Ogden.  She graduated from Ogden School District with straight A’s Weber College with an Associates degree when it was a 2-year college.  She then attended Brigham Young University and graduated at the top of her class with high honors, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.  She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, an honor society.

She was employed by the Ogden School District to teach kindergarten.  She taught for 9 years retiring when her and LaMar’s children came along.  Teaching was one of the things that she loved best in life.

In 1957, she met LaMar Wheeler Skeen at an LDS dance.  They dated and on June 19, 1959 they were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.  They lived in Warren on the family dairy farm most of their married life.

Carolyn was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a member of the Warren Ward.  She held teaching positions in most of the ward organizations: Sunday School, Primary, Young Women’s and gave the Spiritual Living lesson in Relief Society for nine years.  She was also active in genealogy and taught classes in it.  She and LaMar served as Stake Name Extraction Directors for five years.  In connection with the calling, they had to learn to use a computer, which was a real challenge to them. She loved to study the Gospel and write lessons and talks.

Carolyn also liked to work with artificial flowers, creating wreaths, bouquets and other decorations; especially for her children.  She made the floral arrangements for her daughter, Carrie and granddaughter, Casey’s weddings.  She loved to work in the yard and in spite of the alkali in their soil, was able to grow some lovely flowers.  As she got older, her work in the yard had to be scaled down and only the front yard received her ministrations.  She also like crossword puzzles and anything to do with nature, especially rocks and birds.

She enjoyed playing practical jokes on family member, such as putting a piece of cardboard in LaMar’s hamburger.  For several years she, her children and her friend Karlene Oelke put on Halloween spook alleys, dressing up in scary costumes and frightening the older children in the town and also a few of their parents.

In 1975, Carolyn and LaMar obtained a copy of the journal of his great, great grandfather, Joseph Skeen.  She became so interested in his life that she spent many years researching more information about him and the early church history that he took part in.  She ended up compiling and editing four books on his life and times.  She also wrote parts of the books.  These books became her main hobby.

She is survived by is survived by two sons, Leland (Dena) Skeen of North Ogden, Merrill Skeen of Warren; ywo daughters, Laurie (Kenny) Hadley of Taylor and Carrie (Troy) Batte of West Point; seven grandchildren, Tairah (Jared) Smith of Woodward OK, Ashlee (David) Voglesberg of Midway, Taylon Skeen of North Ogden, Casey Rae Day of Salt Lake City Bryce Day of Warren, Jessica (Chase) Anderson of South Weber and Aaron Batte of West Point, nine great-grandchildren; Tyson, Derrick, Bennet, Seth and Logon Smith of OK, Max, Libbie and Morgan of Midway, and Boston of South Weber.  Also surviving are two brothers, Dr. Dale L. (Shirley) Tribe and Dr. A. Lee (Marilyn) Tribe, both of Ogden, and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, LaMar W. Skeen.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday August 8th at the Warren Ward Chapel, 856 North 5900 West.  The family will meet with friends Thursday from 6-8 pm at Lindquist’s Roy Mortuary, 3333 West 5600 South and Friday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment, Warren/West Warren Cemetery.