St. George, Utah – Eberta Evalin Skalla "Bertie", age 91, passed away on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at the Retreat Senior Living Facility in St. George, Utah after a lengthy decline in health from dementia and Alzheimer's. She was born at home on August 19, 1933, in Bedrock, Colorado, the 6th and last child to Andrew Edwin Riddle and Eva Leonore Hall.

She married Stanley Clark Harrison on August 24, 1951, in Nucla, Colorado. To this union, two sons were born: Clark Edward Harrison in September 1954, and Scott Ebert Harrison in July 1957. They later divorced. She married Allan Eugene Skalla on November 26, 1961, in Paradox, Colorado. With this marriage, she inherited a stepson, Steven Allan Skalla. A daughter, Liane Eberta, was born into the family in November 1962.

Bertie was raised on the Riddle ranch in the beautiful valley of Paradox, Colorado. She grew up on horseback moving cattle back and forth from the La Sal Mountains to Paradox. It was a primitive, remote place to live. They had no indoor plumbing in her early years. She was bucked off a horse in her youth and was unconscious for three days. From this accident she damaged her back and later developed a severe curvature to her spine.

Bertie attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse in Paradox. Her freshman year she lived away from home and attended Montrose High School. Because she was so home sick that year, she came back home and lived with the Wilson family during the week and attended Nucla High School. Then on the weekends she would go home to Paradox. In high school she was an excellent student, a cheerleader, and the homecoming queen for multiple years.

After high school and marrying Clark, they headed to Colorado State University where she earned an Associate's Degree in Secretarial Sciences. While there, she enjoyed her job as the secretary to the Athletic Director. One of the highlights for her was participating in the CSU a cappella choir. After graduation, Bertie and Clark moved to Quantico, Virginia, where they welcomed their son, Clark. They then lived on base at 29 Palms, California and later moved to Norwood, Colorado where they welcomed their son Scott.

After the divorce, Bertie married Allan. This created a family of three boys, and Liane joined the family a year later. They raised their family in Norwood. Bertie was an avid sports fan when any of her children were involved, and they were involved in about every sport there was for years. She and Allan would travel anywhere and everywhere to watch their kids participate. If Allan was working, she would go by herself.

Bertie enjoyed bowling and participated in leagues for several years. Her team won a State Championship in 1971. She also had the honor of being selected as the Eastern Star Grand Adah for the state of Colorado.

In Norwood, she was active in the Methodist church and was the church organist for years. She shared her musical talents endlessly for many funerals, weddings, and social events in Norwood and neighboring communities, either playing the piano or singing or both.

Bertie and her sister Leonore joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in August of 1975. Her testimony never faltered from that day. With time, each of her children joined the Church. She always served others with her musical callings.

When parenting slowed down and Liane was the only one at home, Bertie discovered her talent for oil painting. With just a few classes she found that she had an eye for art and could bring a canvas to life. She loved being in nature and seeing all the colors and beauty of the world. She was able to capture nature's beauty in her artwork. She had one of her paintings take Best of Show at the Utah State Fair. We have been left with some beautiful works of art by her hand.

From Norwood, Bertie and Allan moved to Blanding, Utah for Allan's job. While in Blanding Bertie worked at Cedar Mesa, a Native American pottery shop. She enjoyed this job and especially arranging the pottery on the display shelves. She also participated with the singing group, The Canyon Landers. She loved singing with this group and all the friendships that she developed.

Bertie was a collector, particularly of Native American art and jewelry. She always wanted her jewelry to be matching sets: rings, bracelet, necklace and earrings. She would then store each set together. She had a huge Native American Art collection with paintings, pottery, rugs, baskets, carvings, and some unique pieces. Her home was always beautifully decorated with the art that she loved.

When she was 53, she was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in the hamstring of her right leg. After three surgeries and radiation, they were able to remove the tumor, but she also lost the feeling in her lower leg. With time she ended up wearing a brace for that leg and walked with a limp.

After Bertie and Allan retired, they moved to Soda Springs, Idaho. When Liane's family moved to St. George, UT, so did Bertie and Allan. After several Idaho winters they were happy with sunny St. George. While in St. George, they enjoyed going to Tuacahn, St. George Musical Theater, and anything that their grandchildren were involved in.

She is survived by her children: Clark (Angela) Harrison, Toquervilie, UT; Scott (Cori) Harrison, Idaho Falls, ID; Steve (Cyndee) Skalla, Fruita, CO; and Liane (Kevin) Dorius, Corvallis, OR., and one brother, Kent Riddle, Grand Junction, CO. Through the years, Bertie and Allan's combined family has grown to 30 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren with 3 babies on the way.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Allan Skalla; her parents; four of her siblings: Clure Riddle, Leonore Campbell, Dorothy Kirkpatrick, and Robert Riddle; and one sweet great granddaughter, Louisa Clark Pettenati, passed away almost one year ago.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in the Metcalf Mortuary Chapel, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held Thursday, prior to services, from 12:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Mortuary. Interment will be in Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 South Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah.

Eberta Skalla Funeral Service Program