Rev. Dr. Peter I. R. Skanse, age 80, a resident of Fairview Village in Downers Grove and formerly of Wheaton, died Tuesday, August 3, at Fairview Baptist Home. He was born on April 7, 1924 in Manila, Philippines to Peter and Beatrice Skanse. Because his father was in the Army Air Corps, he grew up in many places including Panama.

He graduated from Wheaton Academy, Wheaton College and received a Masters Degrees from both Columbia Bible College and later from the University of Minnesota. On June 29, 1948 he married Ruth Thompson. From 1953 until 1956 they served as a missionaries to Cuba. He went on to teach Spanish in high schools and at Wheaton and Elmhurst Colleges. He was a board member, and former chairman, of Brazil Inland Mission. He was a member of Evangel Baptist Church in Wheaton. After the loss of his wife, he married Belva Dennis in 1984.

Dr. Skanse is survived by his wife, Belva, three children, Pastor Peter (Peggy) Skanse of New Berlin, WI, Pastor John (Melody) Skanse of Bolingbrook, and Vera (Dennis) Laney of Porterville, CA, five grandchildren, Eric, Brittney, Karen, Sharon and Adam, and two sisters, Margaret (Harley) Stull of St. Louis Park, MN, and Carol (Ted) Teasdale of Minneapolis, MN.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, his parents, Col. Peter E. and Beatrice Skanse, infant daughter, Lillian Beatrice and a brother Donald Skanse.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 13, from 1 until 4 P.M. at the Ulrich Chapel at Fairview Village in Downers Grove, where a memorial service will be held on Saturday at 1P.M. with Rev. David Tietjen officiating.

Interment will be held at Chapel Hill Gardens West in Oakbrook Terrace on Saturday, August 14 at 9:30 A.M.

Memorials may be directed to Brazil Inland Mission

Family and friends may sign a guest book at www.legacy.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.