Lurene S. Riggs

Lurene Riggs passed away peacefully in her home under hospice care on the afternoon of January 12, 2026. She was a healthy 95 yr old, but a little lung infection started a series of health issues that wore her down over a two week period. 

Lurene was born Frances Lurene Skousen in Las Vegas , New Mexico on August 31, 1930.  Her father was James Erastus Skousen from Alpine, Arizona and at the time worked for the US forest service in New Mexico. Her mother was Elizabeth Peck Skousen from Peoria, Arizona. Lurene was the first of four children. Her younger brothers, Stanley, Eldon, and Clifford predeceased her  

Lurene attended grade school and high school in Glendale,Arizona living with her grandmother. Her parents were stationed in various isolated posts throughout eastern and northern Arizona where consistent quality schooling was difficult to come by. 

At the tender age of 10 years Lurene lost her father to double pneumonia which he contracted after a rainy all night work assignment. Her mother was left with 4 young children to care for. They moved in with Lurenes maternal grandmother and her mother finished her bachelors degree in education and became a teacher to support the family. 

Lurene met the love of her life, Denny Riggs, at Glendale Union High School as a sophomore. He was a senior. They only dated a few times before he entered the navy. After she graduated they attended Phoenix City College and a year later moved to Pasadena, Ca where my dad attended Cal Tech , and my mom eventually attended UCLA where she obtained a BA degree in elementary education. They married in June 1952 in Phoenix.  

After a brief stint teaching First grade at Grandview Grade School in Manhattan beach, ca they moved to Boston, Ma in 1953 so Denny could attend graduate school at MIT. Upon returning to California in 1954 Denny worked at Hughes Aircraft as an electrical engineer where he would end up retiring from some 38 years later. 

Lurene and Denny started their family soon after returning from Boston. Their oldest,Brent, was born in 1955, Mark in 1959 and Karen in 1962. Lurene dedicated her life to being a full time mom and volunteering in the community and at her church- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She always made her kids feel safe and secure and appreciated.

Though she’d never admit it she was a skilled seamstress, cook, ballroom dancer and genealogist. She was the glue in her extended family and cherished all her family members keeping in touch regularly. She especially enjoyed her 5 grandchildren. Brent and wife, Norma, are the parents of Elliott and Andrew; Mark and Sandy are the parents of Robin; and Karen and Phil Schultz are the parents of Darla and Anjali. 

Lurene thrived on serving and nurturing others, and being a reliable friend and helper throughout her life. Her perennial send offf was always “Keep smiling!”  She had a beautiful smile herself and that smile and spirit will truly be missed.

Thanks for being a great example your whole life, and for being the best mom and grandma anyone could ask for.