08/30/2026
As nurses, we are called to a profession of service, compassion, and healing. Today, we gather to honor and recognize the beautiful journey of a sister in nursing, Lydia Skoog, LPN.
Equipped with a servant's heart, her early career led her to care for some of the most vulnerable, working with dedication on the psychiatric unit.
After moving to California, she seamlessly transitioned her skills to care for the elderly in a local nursing home-bringing comfort, dignity, and warmth to those in their later years.
When her path eventually brought her back home to Great Falls, she continued her healing work on the rehabilitation unit, helping patients find their strength and independence once again. But her leadership and deep knowledge could not be contained to just one unit. She took on a vital role as the regional coordinator for the American Parkinson's Disease Association, managing and guiding care across three entire states: Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming.
Her final years in the field were spent as a trusted office nurse at a pain clinic, providing a steady hand and a listening ear to those navigating chronic suffering. In 2022, after decades of unwavering dedication, she stepped into a well-deserved retirement.
Yet, for a true nurse, the caring never really stops. Her nursing heart extended far beyond her employment. She volunteered her time and skills to look after youth at the Templed Hills Baptist Camp. To her friends, neighbors, and family, she was a constant sanctuary of wisdom and medical guidance. She was, in every sense of the word, a true Parish.
Honor Guards paying tribute were Lynae Myre, Lindy Eberl, Clarice Flanagan, Sandee Christensen and Marianne Gliko.
