Marcia Skjaerlund D.O. spent an amazing career serving those in the Mid-Michigan region while on staff as a gastroenterologist at Memorial Healthcare. Her life was a life of service and caring, not just in the field of medicine but also to those around her. She made a life by what she gave, not by what she accomplished. She lived with her heart exposed, never holding back love. Her definition of success was being able to live her life loving others, including her family, whom she loved more than life itself. She celebrated life through love. Her love was known because her love was shown.
PHYSICIAN RETIREMENT
Dr. Marcia Skjaerlund Announces Retirement
October 6, 2017 Press Release
OWOSSO, MICHIGAN: Dr. Marcia Skjaerlund, a gastroenterologist on staff at Memorial Healthcare, has announced her retirement from practicing medicine. Dr. Skjaerlund has worked at Memorial for over 23 years and was a past recipient of Memorial’s Physician of the Year award.
“It has been an honor to practice medicine serving the greater Shiawassee community,” commented Dr. Skjaerlund. “It has also been a privilege to be on staff with Memorial and to work alongside such a great team of people.”
Dr. Skjaerlund’s career at Memorial began after completing a residency in internal medicine followed by a gastroenterology fellowship. Dr. Skjaerlund practiced family medicine in Jackson after graduating from medical school at the age of 23. She was a valedictorian graduating from Mt. Clemens High School in three years and completed undergraduate schooling at Oral Roberts University in three years with honors and a 4.0 GPA prior to graduating from Michigan State University’s medical school in three years.
“As Dr. Skjaerlund prepares for this transition, we thank her for her years of dedicated service to our hospital, our patients, and our community,” said Brian Long, President/CEO of Memorial Healthcare. “Dr. Skjaerlund is a very well-respected community member and although we are happy for this new phase of her life, she will be deeply missed by everyone she has touched during her tenure at Memorial Healthcare.”
When Dr. Skjaerlund joined Memorial’s staff, it was a homecoming of sorts despite being born and raised in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. Her grandfather, August Doehring, served as Pastor of the Owosso Wesleyan Church and her father, Edwin Doehring, still tells of childhood stories growing up in Owosso, including working for the Argus Press and saving money as a teenager to pay for his pilot’s license, learning to fly at Owosso airport. Dr. Doehring became a family practice physician, served as Vice-President and Medical Director for Mt. Clemens General Hospital, and was National President of American College of General Practitioners.
“Our family has enjoyed living in beautiful Owosso,” said Dr. Skjaerlund. “We are so fortunate to be a part of a great community that is a wonderful place to call home.”
Dr. Marcia Skjaerlund has been married to Dr. David Skjaerlund for over 28 years. They have three children, Hans, Cora and Jon. Their youngest son Jon is a member of Michigan State University’s Marching Band and has an interest in practicing medicine, following the footsteps of his mother, grandfather, uncle and cousin into the medical field as physicians. Their oldest son Hans graduated from University of Michigan with a degree in economics and is currently a pricing analyst for Dart Container Corporation in Mason, Michigan. Cora graduated from Oral Roberts University with a dual biology and chemistry major and is currently attending a ministry school in Redding, California.
“Being a patient myself, I have come to appreciate the exceptional care that Memorial has to offer the mid-Michigan region,” stated Dr. Skjaerlund. “Owosso is blessed to have one of the best treatment facilities in the state and with medical staff that is top-notch and truly cares for people.”
Dr. Marcia Skjaerlund was diagnosed with advanced Stage IV metastatic lung cancer in February 2012, and has received treatment at Memorial’s cancer center, which is housed in the same building as her gastroenterology practice. Her journey has been a testimony of celebrating life while defying the odds in fighting the good fight against cancer.
“I am thankful for the goodness and faithfulness of God over many years,” reflected Dr. Marcia Skjaerlund. “God’s love is amazing and we are blessed in so many ways. We have seen God facilitate healing by designing the human body to heal itself, by giving wisdom and treatment advances to medical practitioners, and by also supernaturally touching people lives. My journey has been a testimony of all three. I am so blessed to have been touched by the caring staff at Memorial and am extremely grateful to those who have been a practical extension of God’s goodness to us.”
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Please click below to view a brief video of a younger Dr. Skjaerlund, in her own typical joy and delightful humor, talking to a small group about the importance of regular colorectal cancer screening.
OBITUARY
Dr. Marcia Kay (Doehring) Skjaerlund, age 56, of Owosso, passed away Monday evening, November 20, 2017, at home surrounded by her loving family (official date of death is November 21). In her battle against cancer the last six years, she fought the good fight of faith well and has received her crown of eternal life as her victorious prize. She is now dancing in heaven in full beauty and glory, worshipping an awesome God as she did on earth. She has lived life well, loved deeply, and has forever left an influence that has changed hearts, lives, and the world around her.
Marcia was born July 7, 1961 in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, the daughter of parents Edwin August Doehring and Jean Elizabeth Hamilton, who each survive. Marcia married David Moeberg Skjaerlund on July 1, 1989 and they had three children: Hans Peter (Jordan) Skjaerlund, Cora Jean (Benjamin) Marsh, and Jonathan David Skjaerlund, all of whom survive.
Dr. Skjaerlund was a gastroenterologist on staff at Memorial Healthcare for over 23 years and was a past recipient of Memorial’s ‘Physician of the Year’ award. Dr. Skjaerlund’s career at Memorial began after completing a residency in internal medicine followed by a gastroenterology fellowship. Dr. Skjaerlund briefly practiced family medicine in Jackson after graduating from Michigan State University’s medical school in three years at the age of 23. She completed undergraduate schooling in three years at Oral Roberts University with honors and a 4.0 GPA. Marcia graduated from Mt. Clemens High School in three years as valedictorian.
Marcia Skjaerlund loved to pour her life into her children and other people. She could so easily see someone in need and make them instantly feel like family. On more than one occasion, an offer of a warm meal turned into a home to stay in for months on end. With every interaction she made people feel seen, important and cared for. Marcia was strong, selfless and dedicated to those around her. Above all, she loved her family. Each day, she would remind them that she loved them “more than life itself.” Marcia had a zest to live life to the fullest and there was always a twinkle in her eye as she considered the next adventure. Her laugh was infectious as was her passion for sports and being a champion. Marcia considered her intimacy with a beautiful God the most treasured aspect of life. Her heart beat for the passions of Jesus, fueled by the faithfulness and perfect love of a good, good Father God.
In addition to her loving husband of 28 years, her children and her parents, Marcia is survived by sisters Debra Jo (Lee) Baker and Kim Marie (Rodney) Davidson; sister in-law Anne Moeberg (David) Fege; and many other family members. She was preceded by her parents in-law Hans Moeberg and Karen Grethe Skjaerlund, step-parents Earl Lloyd Hamilton and Rebecca Pearl Doehring, and brother in-law John Moeberg Skjaerlund.
A public service celebrating Marcia’s life and legacy will be held 3:00 PM Saturday, November 25, at GracePointe Wesleyan Church in Owosso, MI (715 S. Washington St). There will also be visitation opportunities with the family 5-8 PM Friday, November 24, and 9-11 AM Saturday, November 25, at the Watkins Brothers Funeral Home (Jennings-Lyon Chapel) in Owosso, MI (520 W. Main St). A graveside burial service will be held 1:00 PM Sunday, November 26, at the South Hamburg Cemetery in Hamburg, MI.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: Bethel Church, ATTN Short-Term Missions, 20 Lake Blvd, Redding, CA 96003 – Memo: Cora Marsh Missions Travel Fund. Correspondence can be mailed to: Skjaerlund Family, PO Box 335, Owosso, MI 48867.
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Please click below to see more biographical information on the Skjaerlund Family.
