Leola Lamb Skouson

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and friend, Leola Lamb Skouson returned to her Heavenly Father on April 12, 2025.

A kind and creative soul who brought beauty, integrity, and love to every place and every relationship, Leola was born on July 24, 1937, to Edwin and Jennie Lamb in Gilbert, Arizona. As the daughter of a dairy farmer, Leola learned at an early age the value of hard work and the importance of family. The fourth of nine children, Leola grew up milking cows, picking cotton, and playing in the fields of post-depression Gilbert with her siblings and friends.

A graduate of Gilbert High School, Leola was active socially and, though embarrassed to admit it in later years, enjoyed supporting Gilbert High athletics as a cheerleader. She also excelled in drama and was active in the Mutual Improvement Association. She graduated in class of only 20 students, many of whom she remained close to until her passing.

When she was sixteen, she attended a church dance at the old Mezona building on Main Street in Mesa, where she met a devastatingly handsome nineteen-year-old named John Skouson. Leola and John immediately connected on the dance floor and were soon dating seriously and eventually engaged—an engagement that was interrupted by their mutual decision that John should serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Leola remained faithful to John on his mission, and three weeks after his return, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Mesa, Arizona temple in March 1957. Children came quickly to the Skouson home – Kim and Demeron within just 11 months of each other, followed by Tammy, Candy, and Daken in quick succession. Stephanie joined the family six years after Daken’s birth, and together they created countless memories as they lived and worked in various places throughout the United States, including Buckeye, Arizona, Warden, Washington, American Falls, Idaho, Snowflake Arizona, Sedan Kansas, Monticello Utah, Blanding Utah, Taylor Arizona, and Mesa, Arizona.

Leola was a gifted homemaker who had an eye for color and craft. She and John frequently found themselves purchasing and remodeling older homes, and Leola’s ability to beautify and brighten their homes was matched only by her husband’s self-sufficiency as a builder and remodeler.

Leola and John formed a powerful and inseparable team whose character and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ blessed and inspired their family, friends, and neighbors. Her love for family was obvious to anyone who spent time in her home, which was adorned by pictures of her children, their spouses, and grandchildren.

She leaves a rich posterity of 42 grandchildren and 94 great grandchildren. Her legacy is one of unshakable faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, unyielding devotion to her husband, and undying love for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Leola is survived by her siblings Keith and Kova, children Kim (Russell) Call, Demeron (Memri) Skouson, Tammy (Phillip) Russell, Candy (Wayne) Wilkins, Daken (Cymany) Skouson, Stephanie (Rod) Ross, and the aforementioned grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 19 at the Mesa North Stake Center, 933 East Brown Road in Mesa, Arizona 85203. Leola asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hospice of the Valley.