Skoog triumphed despite disability

By David Hendee World-Herald Staff Writer

Mary Ann Skoog of Omaha, who spent most of her life in a wheelchair but lived as though she considered herself inconvenienced – not disabled – by polio, has died. She was 80.

Skoog died Sunday at the University of Nebraska Medical Center of complications from injuries suffered in a March automobile accident.

Throughout her life, Skoog never bemoaned or resented her dependence on a wheelchair, said her husband, Dr. Donald Skoog.

“Mary Ann was a survivor in the finest sense of the word,” he said. “Throughout her life, she persevered, patiently and with courage, resilience and a positive attitude.”

Born Mary Ann Bunn in rural Blair, Neb., she attended Blair High School and was active in sports, cheerleading and singing. In 1946, during her senior year in high school, she was stricken with polio. She was in an iron lung at Douglas County Hospital for about three weeks and emerged able to breathe unassisted. Despite a year of rehabilitation, she was unable to regain the use of her legs and used a wheelchair the rest of her life.

Mary Ann entered the polio rehabilitation program founded by President Franklin Roosevelt at Warm Springs, Ga., in 1947. There she met such notables as Helen Keller and Basil O’Connor, Roosevelt’s lawyer and the founder of the March of Dimes.

In 1952, she enrolled in a pre-medical technology program at Midland College in Fremont, Neb. She sang and toured with the college choir and met her future husband. She entered the Medical Technology School at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Omaha in 1954 and underwent further rehabilitation in that hospital’s polio treatment program.

Mary Ann and Don were married in 1955. She finished her medical technology training at Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital. She worked as a medical technologist until the birth of the second of the couple’s three children. She cared for the children virtually unassisted while her husband completed his residency in pathology.

Skoog was active in the Swanson Community Club co-led a Great Books discussion group for children and was the leader of a Cub Scout pack. She was a longtime member of Luther Memorial Lutheran Church and its choir, an avid bridge player and active in the Faculty Women’s Club of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Metropolitan Omaha Medical Society Auxiliary.

She enjoyed traveling, and after she acquired a wheelchair-accessible van was the primary driver for trips.

In addition to her husband, survivors include son Dr. Robert Skoog of Alameda, N.M., daughter Kristin Skoog of Manitou Springs, Colo., five grandchildren, one great-grandson and a brother, Jack Bunn of San Bernardino, Calif. A son, David, died of a viral heart infection in 1946 at age 6.

The funeral service is set for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Luther Memorial, 61st Street and Western Avenue.

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Preceded in death by parents, Byron and Lenna Bunn; brother, Eugene Bunn; son, David Skoog. Survived by husband, Dr. Donald P. Skoog; son, Dr. Robert Skoog (Lt. Emily Kane); daughter, Kristin Skoog (Groff Schroeder); brother, Jack Bunn; grandchildren: Nicholas Skoog, Mia Skoog, Max Schroeder, Cailin Willey and Riley Galbraith (Sgt. Marty, USMC); great-grandson, C. J. Capizzi; many loving brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews; and special beloved friend, Margaret Griesen.

VISITATION begins 5pm Tuesday with family receiving friends 5-7pm at the West Center Chapel. SERVICES Wednesday, 11am Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 6099 Western Avenue, Omaha. Graveside Service Wednesday, 2pm Blair, NE Cemetery. Memorials to Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Omaha 68132; UNMC Faculty Women's Club Scholarship Fund, 1502 So. 113 Plaza, Omaha 68144; or your favorite charity. HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER WEST CENTER CHAPEL 78th & West Center 391-3900

FindaGrave Memorial # 57585461

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~