Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Dorothy Dee Miller Skoglund, MD

September 15, 1944 – March 31, 2007

Born to Judge Clarence M. Miller and Faye I. Miller of Broken Bow, NE, Dotty was raised in Oshkosh and graduated from high school at the young age of 16. Her passion for medicine began at a very early age, making regular visits to the local hospital in Oshkosh. She often recalled her fascination as a child viewing surgeries from the observation window. By the age of 6, “It just seemed to me,” she said, “like something I would like to do in life.” And that’s exactly what she did.

After graduating from Oshkosh High School in the spring of 1960, she immediately began to pursue a career in medicine. Dotty was awarded a full scholarship to attend the University of Nebraska, completing a BS in Medicine in 1966 and finally a Doctor of Medicine in 1968. That same year, she met and married the love of her life, Joseph Leonard Skoglund. They set out together to build their life in California, where Dotty accepted a Rotary internship at the Orange County Medical Center. The following year she became board certified by examination and held first- and second-year residency in pediatrics at the University of California Irvine Medical Center.

Over the next decade Dotty and Joe completed their family. Joe adopted Dotty’s two daughters from a previous marriage; they also adopted a daughter together and had four more girls of their own. They had such a capacity for love that they also opened their home to six different foster children over the years. The compassion, guidance and education Dotty gave to each foster child helped them to lead more giving and productive lives.

Her dedication to medicine was rivaled only by her dedication to family. Educating herself on the techniques of coaching both softball and soccer, she played an integral role in coaching and leading her girls’ many teams. Her life was entirely dedicated to others, always sacrificing her own needs to give more to her family. Family vacations contributed to a rich family life and were important to her as they created memories that would last a lifetime, whether it was outings to the High Sierras for backpacking, waterskiing on the Colorado River, snow skiing at Mammoth or traveling the country for her girls’ softball and soccer tournaments.

Throughout her career, Dotty saved countless lives and was a protector and advocate for many children, including her patients and children of the community. She found time to teach medical interns at UCI throughout her career. Dotty finished her career in medicine with 32 dedicated years in pediatrics at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Bellflower, CA.

After retiring in 2002, Dotty and Joe traveled around the country together, attending Spring Training events in Arizona and camping with their grandchildren. She was known for her famous chocolate chip cookies, which she happily baked for her family at every opportunity. Nana always had a nice warm lap waiting for the lucky grandchild who walked through her front door.

Dotty is survived by her beloved husband of 38 years, Joseph Skoglund of Fallbrook, CA, and daughters and sons-in-law Patricia and Bill Kimme, Mount Holly, NJ; Debra Skoglund, Scottsbluff, NE; Shelley Skoglund and Roy Dauz, San Diego, CA; Shannon and Scotland Roeber, San Clemente, CA; Sheryn Skoglund and Christian Payne, Los Angeles, CA; Kathy and Scott Nolan, Pasadena, CA; and Lauren Skoglund, Costa Mesa, CA.

She also leaves ten loving grandchildren, who will hold “Nana” in their hearts forever.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to University of Nebraska Foundation, c/o Dr. Dorothy Dee Miller Rumer Skoglund Memorial Fund, 8712 West Dodge, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114. The university may be contacted by phone at (402) 502-4112.

 

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