Despite rain, hundreds turn out for candlelight vigil remembering Terry & Renee Skjersaa

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Central Oregon community came out in the hundreds to share stories, songs, and a beautiful sunset, honoring the lives of Terry and Renee Skjersaa. The couple tragically passed away after getting caught in an avalanche while backcountry skiing west of Bend.

On Sunday night, over 200 people gathered at Drake Park in downtown Bend to honor the life and legacy of Terry and Renee Skjersaa.

The evening was filled with a sunset, songs, and stories. Some of which Renee's own mother had never heard. The huge numbers and deep love for the couple, even shocked Renee's mother and stepfather. 

"The outpouring of support and sympathy from the community is unbelievable," Renee's stepfather said. "We live 2,000 miles away and we were with Terry and Renee a lot but we didn't full understand the respect and honor this community had for them."

Business partners and friends told skiing stories of Terry Skjersaa. The Skjersaa family helped build the sport up here in Central Oregon, starting Bend's first ever ski shop, way back in the 1930s.

Though Terry was an excellent skier, he also started a successful real estate company - bearing his last name.

A family friend who helped organize the event, told the crowd of over 200, "We'll see you in the West Bowls which was their playground this winter. They were loving it out there."

His wife Renee was also not only an athlete, but an educator - teaching countless Central Oregon students like Tobin, "She taught lot of my coworkers, actually. I had told them about the news and they were all telling me about her classes and lessons."

Though Tobin's been close family friends with Terry and Renee his entire life, it's not just a friend he's lost, but a teacher, and a role model. A teacher who took the time to teach him his toughest middle school subject. 

"I've never really been good with math," Tobin said. "Renee had been the one to teach me math, she was one of the teachers who I actually understood."

Its clear Renee's impact when far beyond the classroom Tobin added, "She just cared about the students. You could tell that she really cares, and she wanted to see people succeed."

Terry and Renee Skjersaa may not be with us anymore, but their impact, will never be forgotten.

"They are huge staples to Bend, and they are just people who everyone supports and everyone loves."