Source Warmup

On Feb. 18, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to an avalanche burial in the area between the Bend Watershed and Broken Top, commonly known as Happy Valley. The reported avalanche occurred near Snowmobile Trail 8 between the junction with Trail 88 and Trail 6 (Forest Service Road 370). The avalanche resulted in the death of 52-year-old Susan Renee Skjersaa and 57-year-old Terance (Terry) Olaf Skjersaa.

DCSO’s Search and Rescue Unit “successfully recovered two deceased subjects from the area of Trail 8,” according to a release. “The initial investigation indicates the two subjects were caught in an avalanche while recreating in the area.” According to a press release on Feb. 19, friends began searching for the individuals on Feb. 17 and found them buried in the avalanche shortly before midnight. DCSO suspects the avalanche occurred several hours before the deceased were found.

Sheriff Kent van der Kamp said in a statement: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of the couple who lost their lives in the avalanche while enjoying the Central Oregon backcountry. Their long history in our community and the lives they touched are a testament to the spirit and resilience that make Central Oregon such a special place to live.”

According to Terry Skjersaa’s biography on the Skjersaa Group website, “His grandparents Olaf and Grace opened Bend’s first ski shop in 1939,” and the local ski and snowboard shop Skjersaa’s still bears the family’s name although it is now under different ownership. —Julianna LaFollette

5 years

—A family-owned Greek restaurant celebrates this milestone, from the Little Bites story, “Kefi Fast Fresh Mediterranean Celebrates Five Years in Bend”