Eloise Yarbrough Skillestad

Eloise “Diane” Yarbrough Skillestad, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2023, after many years of dealing with cancer and lung issues. Diane was born in Dallas, Texas September 24, 1958, to Sharon and Silas M. Yarbrough Jr. She lived in Gainesville, TX, Littleton, CO and Billings, MT. She graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1976. On September 28, 2002, she married Robert A. “Skilly” Skillestad at the Circle Bar Guest Ranch located in the Pig Eye Valley near Utica, MT. They made their home in Billings.

As a child in the winter, she loved to ski with her family on Red Lodge Mountain and in the Summer loved to spend time on “Miss September” boating and swimming in Yellowtail Dam, on her Dad's Chris-Craft boat.

Diane was a licensed Dog Groomer getting her education in Albuquerque, NM working as an independent groomer in Billings early in her career as she loved all animals. Diane decided to follow her passion in the field of Art.

Diane was multi-talented and accomplished in quilting, stained glass, photography, and rock painting. She was her own worst critic often being close to the end of a project, she would decide it was not exactly what she envisioned, scrapping all her work starting over until it met her standards. She gave many of her rocks to family, friends, and businesses for their enjoyment. Another passion of Diane's was working on family genealogy searching and working in front of her computer for hours.

Diane was involved very early with Hot Air Ballooning, in fact she worked on site in the Strata Bowl near Rapid City, SD when Maxie Anderson and his crew tried to launch a High-Altitude Helium Balloon, for a Trans-Atlantic flight. She was involved in the first Hot Air Ballooning events held, in the mid 1980's, on the dirt fields that are now known as Amend Park.

Diane loved to socialize with her many friends at Just One More. One of her last requests lying in bed at St. Vincent Hospital, besides going home to be with her pets, was to go to the JOM. As many of you know, Diane could have a sharp tongue and was not afraid to share her opinion even if it hurt feelings. She told me in so many words she was not happy that I would not take her there one last time.

Besides her love of animals and the arts, she loved to cook and travel starting when her Grandparents took her on trips to New York City, San Antonio, and places in between. She never lost the desire to travel, going on many business trips with Robert. She held The Menger Hotel close to her heart near the Alamo, since she would on many occasions, travel there with her Grandparents, and later with Robert. She loved to visit Southern California, one of her favorite dives was, Blackies by The Sea, in Newport Beach-Balboa Peninsula. Taking the Catalina Flyer to Catalina Island was always a fun ride and destination. I better not forget “Fashion Island” the Shopping Mecca in Newport Beach, was always great retail therapy for Diane.

She was preceded in death by her father, Silas “Bunk” Yarbrough, mother Sharon R. Hemsing, grandmothers Ruby Eloise Yarbrough and Doris Humphrey Purnell, brother Richard Yarbrough and first husband Ralph Glantz Jr.

She leaves behind her Husband Robert, cockatoo Calypso and her very special Bedlington Terrier - Dexter Weatherby. She is also survived by her stepfather Jack Hemsing, sister Laura (Jim) Savage, sister-in-law Rene' Rosell Yarbrough, nieces & nephews Rachel Sullivan, Jordan, Shelby, and Hayden Yarbrough, and great niece & nephew Avery and Bo Yarbrough.

A special thank you is extended to St. Vincent's Hospital and staff, all of whom were compassionate, loving, and understanding with their professional care for Diane, especially near the end when Dexter was allowed to visit and comfort her.

Please consider any memorial contributions in her name be sent to:

Big Sky Balloon Rally

PO Box 7205

Billings, MT 59103