Skeeter Werner Walker
Encyclopedia
Gladys "Skeeter" Werner Walker (1933-2001) was an American alpine skier and Olympian
. She was born in Steamboat Springs
, Colorado
. In 1954 she was the youngest member of the U.S. National Ski Team and an Olympian in 1956. She retired from competition in 1957. She founded the Steamboat Ski School, which operates at the Steamboat Ski Resort
.
She was the oldest sibling of fellow Olympians Buddy Werner
and Loris Werner. In 1968 she met and married her pupil Doak Walker
, a famous NFL running back
. They lived together in Steamboat Springs for the rest of their lives.
She died of cancer
in 2001.
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
. She was born in Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs may refer to:*Steamboat Springs, Colorado, a town in Routt County, Colorado, United States*Steamboat Springs, Nevada, a collection of geysers located in northern Nevada, United States...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. In 1954 she was the youngest member of the U.S. National Ski Team and an Olympian in 1956. She retired from competition in 1957. She founded the Steamboat Ski School, which operates at the Steamboat Ski Resort
Steamboat Ski Resort
Steamboat Ski Area is a major ski area in northwestern Colorado, operated by the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation in Steamboat Springs. It is located on Mount Werner, a mountain in the Park Range in the Routt National Forest. The ski area first opened on January 12, 1963.The ski area has 165...
.
She was the oldest sibling of fellow Olympians Buddy Werner
Buddy Werner
Wallace "Buddy" Werner was an American ski racer in the 1950s and early 1960s. Born and raised in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Werner and his siblings were accomplished skiers, and competed in both alpine and Nordic events on Howelsen Hill...
and Loris Werner. In 1968 she met and married her pupil Doak Walker
Doak Walker
Ewell Doak Walker, Jr. was an American football player who is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was a teammate of Bobby Layne in high school and the NFL.-Early life:...
, a famous NFL running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
. They lived together in Steamboat Springs for the rest of their lives.
She died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
in 2001.