| ABSTON |
Hugh
Gerhardt Abston(January 26, 2011) Former resident Gary Abston,
68, died Jan. 26 at the University Hospital in Seattle. He beat cancer
twice and this was his third battle with it. He was always upbeat
and brave, with a goal to get well and run the barge he ran last summer.
Upon returning the boat to Seattle last fall the cabin burned down
with all of his worldly belongings.There will be a prayer for Gary
at the Russian Church on Saturday, Feb. 12, at noon with a potluck
celebration of life to follow at the American Legion at 2 p.m.Gary
Abston born Hugh Gerhardt Abston to Verna (Anderson) Abston and Pat
Abston on July 8, 1942, at the Coast Guard Base.Gary was the eldest
of five children, David, Allen, Zoya and Dyan. He went to school here
staying with his grandmother Sophie Anderson, who only spoke Russian.
He went to school a couple of years in Ballard, but always came back
home to Kodiak. He was forced to quit school at 16 and help his mother
provide for the family.Gary was preceded in death by his son, David,
age 16, mother Verna, father Pat, brothers David and Allen, and his
sister Dyan.His sister Zoya had three daughters, Dyan, Shyan and Reyan
with Gordon Hubbard and later married her present husband Stan Olsen.
With many nieces and nephews from this family.His sister Dyan had
two sons with Roger Conaway, David and Jordon James.His half-sister,
Sandra Warren, lives in Magee, Miss.Jim Johnson of Larsen Bay introduced
Gary to his sister, Virginia, and upon leaving Gary stated, “See
you later, brother-in-law.” Gary and Virginia were married May
14, 1961, and had three children, Patricia (Trish), David and Trista
AbstonGary and Virginia lived in Kodiak and worked at Naughton’s
Bakery until the tidal wave in 1964 took their jobs out to sea. They
moved and bought a home in Edmonds, Wash., but following five years
of returning to Kodiak to fish and having a son they decided to give
up those long journeys up the Alcan (Virginia had 16 in total and
Gary had 18 due to the fear of flying). Once back in Kodiak they bought
a house on Birch and another later on Larch, where the family remained
for 26 years.Upon leaving Kodiak Gary bought a bar in Lake Havasu
City and later the Vasa in Ballard and after this a person could say
the sea became his home. He owned a fishing site and for many years
then owned and operated the Little Star tendering salmon, fishing
crab and tendering herring in Cook Inlet.In recent years he ran the
barges Iron Mike, Aint Easy, Autumn Rose.He leaves behind daughters
Trish (Abston) Cox and three grandchildren, David, Brandon and Mandi;
and daughter Trista Abston with one grandchild Maryssa; as well as
many other family members and dear friends including Jim Johnson,
Tom Johnson, Roger Johnson, Jack Wick, Roger Conaway, Sonny Chichenoff,
Mike O’Conner and Fred Williams and Charlie Eads and Terry Craig.
|
|
ACEVEDA
|
ACEVEDA,
ROY AVENA SR. 91, died Jan 22 (1996) in Kake. Aceveda came in
1936 to Kodiak, where he worked as an accountant in a cannery. He
was a civic leader in Kake, and was president of the Filipino Community
in Juneau. He was a chef at the Baranof Hotel in Juneau for 17 years.
|
|
BLACK
|
Dr.
Lydia Black, noted anthropologist and author of several books
on Alaska Native culture and Alaska history, died 12 March 2007 at
the age of 81 at her home in Kodiak. Black was with family and friends
at the time of her death. She died of liver failure and had been ill
several months. Black was well known around the state. Her daughter,
Zoë Pierson, said frequent visitors from Kodiak and around Alaska
had assisted the family in caring for Black during recent weeks.“She
loved people, so when visitors were in she would visit with them and
talk with them if she was awake,” Pierson said this morning.
Black was born in Kiev, Ukraine, of the then-Soviet Union, and educated
in Russia, Germany and the United States. She had five daughters with
her husband, Igor A. Black, a thermodynamics engineer who worked for
NASA contractors during the 1960s, and preceded his wife in death
in 1969. As a young widow, Black became a professor of anthropology,
beginning in 1973 at Providence College in Providence, R.I. In 1984
she came to Alaska permanently and began teaching at the University
of Alaska Fairbanks. Throughout her career, Black traveled Southwest
Alaska to research the culture and traditions of the region. She became
known as the preeminent scholar of the Unangam (Aleut) of the Aleutian
Islands and the Sugpiaq (Alutiiq) of the Kodiak Archipelago. Fluent
in Slavonic and Russian, Black translated many firsthand accounts
of Native cultures written during the Russian colonial period. In
her writings, Black was known for emphasizing artistic and cultural
accomplishments, rather than social ills of Alaska Native cultures.
“They know they have problems. My job is to remind them of their
glory,” is what Black reportedly said of her work. Family members
and colleagues said Black was unapologetic for describing Alaska Native
history from that perspective.“That was the way she felt and
she would tell you so if it came up,” Pierson said. Black retired
from UAF in 1998, and continued her work in Kodiak, where she helped
translate and catalogue Russian archives of St. Herman’s Seminary.
The Orthodox Church in Alaska recognized her contribution by awarding
her the Cross of St. Herman. Black continued to write and edit. Some
of her most accessible work was published following her retirement.
One of her best-known books, “Aleut art — Unangam aguqaadangin”
is a collection of beautifully photographed and carefully documented
art made by Natives of the Aleutian Islands. Another, “Russians
in Alaska, 1732 to 1867,” was published in 2004, the year Black
turned 79. Black was also known for continuing correspondence and
cultivating friendships with many of her students, even after their
professional careers began and after she had retired from teaching.
Katherine Arndt, a close friend and colleague who works in the archives
at the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library at UAF, had a professional relationship
with Black that blossomed into a friendship. Arndt said her own doctorate
in Anthropology is the result of returning to studies at Black’s
urging. “If you know her at all, you would know that once you
are her student, you would remain her student for life,” Arndt
said. In 2001, the Soviet successor state, now called the Russian
Federation, awarded Black the Order of Friendship in recognition of
her work documenting the Russian America colonial period. As with
her work involving Alaska Native culture, Black’s writing about
Russian colonists in Alaska often confronted commonly held misconceptions
head-on, and was meant to be accessible by the layperson. “She
wanted the general public to know that the Russians weren’t brutal,
cruel and drunk all of the time,” Arndt said. Pierson said that
during her mother’s final days, Black was able to visit with
many of the people who came to care for and visit with her. Black
remained a teacher, even while gravely ill. “She was a born teacher,
so anyone who asked for information, they would get that and more.”
A funeral service for Black is noon on Saturday, March 17, at St.
Paul Lutheran Church, with a burial to follow at City Cemetery. A
reception is scheduled for 4 p.m., March 17, at the Kodiak Senior
Center. |
| BLONDIN |
Patricia Nan Blondin, 59, died Jan. 12, 2005, at home in Tok,
Alaska. Ms. Blondin was born in Kodiak. She is survived by her daughters,
Florence "Sam" Miettunen and Betty Weeks; son, Richard Standish;
brother, Willie Hall; granddaughters, Kanisha Quincy and Hailey Standish;
and grandsons, Joseph Barfield, William Barfield, Jason Standish and
Wayne Weeks. |
| CASE |
Nettie
Sargent Case(March 2, 2011) Lifelong Alaskan Nettie Sargent Case,
85, died March 2, 2011, at her daughter’s home in Wasilla.A memorial
service will be held later this summer. Nettie will be laid to rest
at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.Her family wrote: “After
receiving the Last Rites from Father John Zabinko of St. Innocent
Russian Orthodox Church, Nettie was received into the hands of her
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”The youngest of 13 children, Nettie
was born Oct. 8, 1925, in Kodiak to Frederick and Fern Sargent. The
Sargents were among the founding families of Kodiak. Nettie often
shared loving memories about “Papa,” a commercial fisherman
who would sail to San Francisco and bring home treasures for the family.
Occasionally Nettie and her mother traveled to San Francisco from
their home, the “big house,” in Kodiak. She was proud of
her Russian and Alaska Native heritage and remained close to her many
siblings.Nettie worked for many years at Alaska Native Medical Center.
After retirement, Nettie and her husband of 53 years, Norman, moved
to Wasilla. They delighted in spending time with their children, grandchildren,
nieces and nephews whenever they had the opportunity.Nettie was a
gifted seamstress and later developed a talent for quilting. She loved
to read, do puzzles and play cribbage.Nettie was preceded in death
by her beloved husband and all but three of her siblings.She is survived
by her siblings, Fern Cleghorn, Neil (June) Sargent and Edward Sargent.
She also is survived by her son, Bruce (Sheri) Case of Blaine, Wash.;
her daughter, Archie (Gordon) O’Blenness of Wasilla; grandchildren,
Jeffrey (Jayme) Case, Nikolas O’Blenness, David (Tennille) O’Blenness
and Tracey O’Blenness; nieces, Gwen Steelman and Nancy Hunt;
nephew, Fred Case; along with three great-grandchildren and numerous
nieces and nephews and their children. |
| CHICHENOFF |
Former
Kodiak resident Gladys Chichenoff, 99, died Aug. 14, 2010, in Bellevue,
Wash.A funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at St. Innocent Russian
Orthodox Cathedral in Anchorage.Born April 24, 1911, in Ouzinkie,
to Paul and Maria Katelnikoff, Gladys was one of eight children. In
1933, Gladys married Zack Chichenoff of Afognak. They moved with their
family to Kodiak in 1947. Gladys was an active member of Holy Resurrection
Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Kodiak. She served on the church council
and was a member of the Sisterhood. Gladys worked many years at Griffin
Memorial Hospital in Kodiak. Gladys was a resident of the Kodiak Senior
Center for many years and enjoyed the many activities offered there
including a memorable van trip from Alaska to the continental United
States. Gladys was prolific with her beautiful crochet work for family,
the senior center and for the church. Gladys enjoyed traveling and
toured Europe and the continental United States to visit her daughters
and their families several times. In 1994, Gladys moved to Washington
State to live with her daughters, Maria (John) and Kathryn (Max).Gladys
was preceded in death by her husband, Zack; and her daughter, Norma
Galliher.Gladys is survived by her sister, Katherine Helmig of Anchorage;
daughters, Maria (John) Grinstead of Bellevue, and Kathryn (Max) Pahmeier
of Snohomish, Wash. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Bernard
(Deborah) Galliher, George Galliher, Robert (Maxine) Galliher, Jodie
(Devon) Brown, Shelly (Dennis) Woodke, Cherylle Galliher, John Grinstead
III, John (Kirsten) Galliher, Laurie Pahmeier (Brett), Stephen (Krista)
Grinstead, James Grinstead, and Laura Galliher. Gladys has 19 great-grandchildren
and eight great great-grandchildren. She gave each member of her family
the amazing gifts of love and acceptance. |
| CHRISTOFFERSEN |
Kenneth E. Christoffersen, 76, died April 21, 2010 at the Alaska
Native Medical Center in Anchorage. Mr. Christoffersen was born Feb.
22, 1929, in Kodiak, Alaska. He is survived by his wife, Annette;
daughters, Brenda, Carol, Carrie and Jessie Christoffersen, Glenna
Hill, Loriena Koruna, Esther Price, Christine Pulis, and Kathrene
Waterbury; and sons, Danny, Fred, Kenneth E., Kenny, and Tim. |
| CHRISTOFFERSEN |
Raeann
M. Christofferson (September 16, 2010) Funeral services were held
Monday, Sept. 20, for Raeann M. Christofferson, 19, at The Nativity
of Our Lord Orthodox Church in Ouzinkie. Father John Dunlop officiated.
Raeann died in an automobile accident Sept. 16. Memorial services
for Ms. Christofferson were held at the Kodiak Mortuary and Kodiak
High School. Raeann was born in Kodiak Oct. 19, 1990. She grew up
in Ouzinkie and moved with her family to Kodiak in 2001. She attended
Main Elementary, Kodiak Middle School and Kodiak High School, where
she graduated in May, 2009. Raeann was employed by Andrew Airways
and worked primarily at the state airport office and the Andrew Air
tourist desk at the Kodiak Inn. Described by her mother, Cheryl (DeeDee)
Christofferson as a person who loved kids, Raeann took classes at
Kodiak College, intending to eventually pursue a degree in early childhood
education. While a student at KHS, Raeann worked with Main Elementary
students in the cadet program. “She loved kids and they loved
her,” her mother said. “She was a very kind and giving person
who had an infectious smile and was everyone’s best friend. She
put her heart into everything she did.” Her favorite pastimes
were spending time with family and friends, picnics, photography and
listening to music. Raeann is preceded in death by her great-grandparents,
Evon and Anastasia Farsovitch; and grandparents John and Verna Panamarioff,
Emil Christofferson Jr. and Polly Decker. She is survived by her parents,
Andy and Cheryl (DeeDee) Christofferson of Kodiak; sister and brother-in-law
Jaelene and Kostya Petropavlovskiy, Kodiak; sisters Christina Christofferson
and Nora McRae, Kodiak, Michelle Johnson, Ouzinkie; brothers Andy
Christofferson Jr., Kodiak, Terry Leite Jr., Seattle; nephew Alexander
Petropavlovskiy, Kodiak; nieces Kelsey Seifner and Savannah McRae,
Kodiak; Cienna Johnson, Ouzinkie; step-grandparents Wayne and Alma
Decker, Hammond, Ore., and many, many aunts, uncles and cousins. |
| COBBAN |
Gwendolyn
"Gwen" Cobban died Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010, at Providence
Kodiak Island Medical Center. She was 95.A memorial celebration of
life will be at 6 p.m. Saturday in St. James Episcopal Church in Kodiak.
Her ashes will be buried with her husband and son in Kodiak at a later
date.Gwen was born March 20, 1915, to Porter Roy Davidson and Nora
(Clapp) Davidson, in Wheatland, Ore. She grew up in Wheatland, Bolton
and Amity, Ore. She went to school in Amity, where she met her future
husband, "Casey" Cobban, when she was 14. They married 5
years later and raised six children. She sewed for the family in her
younger days, she knitted and crocheted and in her later years became
interested in quilting, which she enjoyed very much. She was a hand-quilter
and joined a group of other senior hand-quilters in Concrete, Wash.They
came to Sitka in November 1941, where Casey was working as an electrician
for Siems Drake at the Navy facility on Japonsky Island. After Pearl
Harbor on Dec. 7, all dependents were on an Alaska Steamship vessel
Dec. 8 to Seattle. Casey stayed with Siems Drake and was working on
Rugged Island outside Seward when the family was allowed back into
the territory in the summer of 1944. They lived in Seward, where Casey
became a fisherman, until 1954. They then moved to Seldovia until
1959, Seward again until 1963, and Dillingham, where she worked for
National Bank of Alaska. They moved to Kodiak in 1973, where she continued
with NBA until the late '70s. They traveled until Casey's death in
1981 and she subsequently moved to Oregon and Washington for 20 years.
She returned to Kodiak in 2000.She is survived by her daughter and
son-in-law, Barbara and Sonny Peterson; sons and daughters-in-law,
Gary and Dodi Cobban of Kodiak, Mike and Joanne Cobban of Big Lake,
Robert and Sherry Cobban, of Clarkston, Wash., and Craig and Junko
Cobban of Anchorage; 15 grandchildren, 26 grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren,
all of whom but one were lucky enough to know her.Gwen was preceded
in death by her husband, Casey; son, Terry Sr.; and great-grandson,
River Cobban. |
|
DINGLASA
|
DINGLASA,
PHILLIP CABALAN 78, died May 5 (1996) in Kodiak. Born in Hawaii,
Dinglasa moved in 1945 to Kodiak, where he worked as a commercial
fisherman until retirement in 1984. He was an avid sportsfisherman
who enjoyed canning salmon and handcrafting his own flies. When not
fishing, he enjoyed sewing and taking long drives. (9/96) |
| EGGEMEYER |
Marlyss
Rae (Blinn) Eggemeyer (January 5, 2011) Marlyss Rae (Blinn) Eggemeyer,
75, passed away in her home, surrounded by her family Jan. 5, 2011.
Her final months were made comfortable by the attentive care and love
of her children, their families and her sister Beoma.Marlyss was educated
on Kodiak and at Forest Ridge Convent in Seattle. She and James Earl
Eggemeyer, who she met on Kodiak while he served in the U.S. Marine
Corps, were married in August 1954 in Kodiak’s St. Mary’s
Church. She and Jim continued the long family tradition of fishing.
In 1963, they purchased a furniture business from J. W. Rhodes and
after losing it to the 1964 earthquake, re-built and expanded it over
the years to include clothing and shoes. Marlyss would run Eggemeyer’s
Casuals for years to come. The furniture portion of the business remains
today under the ownership of their son James.Marlyss was a devoted
mother who loved Kodiak and the warm, Alaska summers when her garden
flowers thrived. She also enjoyed many years of camping with family
and friends at Roslyn Beach.Her mother Freda (Kraft) Blinn, father
Jess M. Blinn, husband James E. Eggemeyer and eldest son Jess Eggemeyer
preceded her in death.Marlyss is survived by her daughter Tenley Rae
Kerlee (Tim) of Mount Vernon, Wash.; sons James (Debbie), Thomas,
Steven (Alisa) of Kodiak; grandchildren Scott, Michael and Jimmy Eggemeyer,
Daniel and Christina Brown, Ashley, Steven, Jess II and Lorraine Eggemeyer;
great-grandson Jess III; and her sister Beoma Oakley (Al) of Birch
Bay, Wash. |
| ELXNIT
|
Nick
Grienoff Elxnit, 97, died peacefully on May 26, 2001, at the Alaska
Native Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Mr. Elxnit was born Nov.
3, 1903, in Kodiak, Alaska to Alexandra Fomin of Aleut and Russian
descent, and Harry Grienoff of Finland. His stepfather was Alex Elxnit
of Seldovia. His sister Dora Ursin preceded him in death in 1996.
His nephews Rayder Ursin of Ninilchik, Norman Ursin of Seattle, Wash.,
nieces Laura Resoff of Kodiak and Eleanor Shurvaloff of Edmonds, Wash.,
and many great and grand nieces and nephews survive him. |
| FADAOFF |
Ronald
Arthur “Ronnie” Fadaoff (January 9, 2011) Ronald Arthur
“Ronnie” Fadaoff was born on Woody Island in 1932, and passed
away following a brief illness at the Providence Kodiak Island Long
Term Care Center on Jan. 9, 2011. He was 78 years old.A Celebration
of Life memorial service was held Jan. 11, 2011, at the Care Center.
Later this year when all his family can gather his ashes will be spread
on his beloved Woody Island as well as at West Point Village where
he had resided for more than 30 years.Ronnie was born to Anastasia
“Nettie” Fadaoff. Some of his childhood was spent at the
Kodiak Baptist Mission where he made many friends. He attended school
in Kodiak and went to Mount Edgecumbe in Sitka.He served in the United
States Army infantry from 1952 to 1954, where he honed his cooking
skills. He was stationed at Fort Richardson.Shortly after his military
service ended, he married Martha Patarochin in Kodiak. Ronnie and
Martha loved and enjoyed raising their daughter Margaret.Ronnie began
his boat-building and repair skills while working for Alvines Boat
Repair. Ronnie commercially fished the Kodiak waters most of his life
and worked on the Teresa Lee for Bob Resoff on the Yukon River for
many years. He also worked in the local canneries with his wife Martha.In
the aftermath of the 1964 earthquake and tidal wave, he helped move
many stranded fishing boats from downtown Kodiak back to the harbor.
Many historic photos document this trying time, including those on
display at the Kodiak Inn.After Ronnie moved to Uganik, he fished
salmon, cod, halibut and herring. He later married Julie Justine Komm
in Kodiak. Ronnie and Justine shared their life together in Uganik
until her death in 1996. Ronnie was also a watchman for Cook Inlet
Fisheries in Uganik.He was a jack-of-all-trades. Ronnie built boats
and skiffs, a home on Spruce Cape and another home at Uganik. He knew
how to fix anything. Ronnie will also be well remembered for his smile
and infectious and contagious laugh.A severe heart attack led to his
being in long-term care, first in Kodiak, then Seward and the last
three years back in Kodiak.He was preceded in death by his mother
Nettie in 1973; his brother Alex Fadaoff in 1988; young brothers Raymond
“Skip” Harmon; and Vietnam conflict hero Danny Harmon in
1967.He is survived by his daughter Margaret and her husband Gary
Roberts; grandchildren Leslie Ann (Russell Heglin), Shelly (Frank
Peterson Jr.), Jeremy (Tarran Roberts) and Lachelle Roberts (Robert
May); great-grandchildren Desiree Heglin, Samantha Heglin, Merrick
Allain, Tyler Peterson, Luther (Dewey) Peterson, Aiden Peterson and
Jerin Ray Roberts; great-great-grandson Deagan Knagin; siblings Michael
“Mitch” Gregoroff (Donna), Paul Harmon, Maurice Harmon (Cindy),
Rayna Wetham, Leanna “Lee” Castillo (Tony),and James “Jim”
Harmon. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and cousins,
the many descendants of Woody Island and his extended family at the
Care Center in Kodiak. He will be greatly missed by all his long time
friends and family.
|
| FOSTER |
Eunice
(Naumoff) Foster (January 2, 2011) Eunice (Naumoff) Foster passed
away peacefully on Jan. 2, 2011, at the age of 67. She was born in
the village of Karluk to Nikita Naumoff and Marina (Naumoff) Waselie.
She grew up in Karluk, went to Mt. Edgecombe High School and then
returned to live in Larsen Bay and Kodiak. She was a devoted daughter
to her mother, spending many years as her caregiver. Her mother, Marina
Waselie, passed away just two months ago. Eunice was the mother of
three children: two sons and a daughter. She was preceded in death
by her two sons, Michael D. Naumoff and Jeffrey A. Naumoff, and her
husband Donald Foster. She is survived by her daughter Darlene M.
Quinton, sister Sophie (Katelnikoff) Shepherd, brother Lars Naumoff,
grandson Nikita M. Naumoff, granddaughter Margaret M. Naumoff and
many extended family members. Eunice will be remembered for her generosity,
wonderful sense of humor, ability to make friends with anyone she
met and loving nature.
|
| FROST |
FROST,
SUSAN 96, a fluent speaker of Russian, Aleut and English, died
Nov. 7 (1994) in Kodiak. Born in Afognak, she experienced the 1912
Karmai volcanic eruptions, recalling that Afognak residents scraped
the ash off their potato patches, ensuring potatoes for the winter,
but Kodiakans did not. (3/95) |
| GANNON |
A. Jean Gannon, 54, died April 16, at home in Anchorage. Ms.
Gannon was born Feb. 12, 1951, in Karluk, Alaska. She is survived
by her husband, Bruce E. Gannon, and daughter, Shelly A. Gannon. |
| GRAVES |
GRAVES,
IRENE 84, died May 5 (1996) in Kodiak. Born in Afognak, throughout
much of her life she worked in canneries on the west side of Kodiak
Island, including Port Bailey and Uganik. She performed many services
for the community, as nurse, undertaker and midwife. She lived for
many years in Ouzinkie, where she was known as "Babooka,"
which means "the person who brings you into the world."
(9/96) |
| HEINE |
(May
20, 2011) Mary “Doreen” Christiansen Heine went into the
presence of our Lord on May 20, 2011. She was born on Nov. 8, 1972,
in Kodiak, Alaska, to Florence Matfay Christiansen Pestrikoff and
Boris Ralph Christiansen (deceased). She was a loving wife, mother,
daughter, sister and grandmother. She will be missed greatly by her
family and friends who loved her deeply. Doreen was born in Kodiak
and lived in Old Harbor and Anchorage and even spent time in Lincoln,
Calif.. She met her husband John Heine and they exchanged their vows
in 1996. They lived in Anchorage for a short time but eventually settled
in Kodiak and called it home. Doreen enjoyed making home-made crafts
for her loved ones, but above all she cherished the time she spent
with her daughters and granddaughters. To all those who had the pleasure
of knowing her, she was a kind and generous person. Doreen was also
compassionate and empathetic and had the unique ability to lighten
our load even in the midst of her own personal struggles. Our hearts
are saddened by this tremendous loss, but we know she is in the presence
of her loving savior, Jesus Christ. Doreen is survived by her husband
John Heine; daughters Nnekyia, Tristina (Kalani), and Chyian; granddaughters
Tayven and Alizae; mother Florence Pestrikoff; brother David “Rocky”
(Matilda Aga) Christiansen; sisters Lydia Rozelle, Donna (Verne) Nakasone,
Rhoda Myrlak, Tanya (Dusty) Storms, Lori (Justin) Harford; father-in-law
Marvin Heine; and her good friend and niece Hope (Lewis) Morris. There
is also a long list of nieces, nephews and cousins who will miss their
aunt as well. Doreen was preceded in death by her grandparents Larry
and Martha (Naumoff) Matfay; her father Boris Ralph Christiansen;
brothers Jerry, Wesley and Timothy Christiansen; stepfather Charles
Pestrikoff; mother-in-law Claire Heine; and brother-in-law Michael
“Mike” Heine. The funeral service for Doreen will be held
at the Kodiak Bible Chapel, 416 Island Lake Road, at 1 p.m. on Monday,
May 30. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of
your choice in honor of Mary “Doreen” Heine.
|
| HOPPER |
HOPPER,
DOROTHY "DOTTIE" 70, co-owner of the Road's End restaurant
and bar at Chiniak on Kodiak Island, died Oct. 20 1994 in Anchorage.
She had worked at the Chiniak Track Station in Kodiak and on the trans-Alaska
pipeline. (2/95) |
| JAGER |
Lucy
A. Jager, 67, of Sumner, Wash. died Nov. 30, 1998 at her residence.
Ms. Jager was born Nov. 27, 1931 in Old Harbor, Alaska. She is survived
by sons Andrew and Joseph Jager; daughters Nora Velez, Audrey Jager,
Carol Nelson and Candace Daniels; seventeen grandchildren and one
great grandchild. |
| JAMES |
Anchorage
resident Kyle Arthur James, 21, died Dec. 22, 2005, in Girdwood.
No service is planned. Kyle was born May 21, 1984, in Kodiak. He
loved watching movies, drawing and spending time with his friends.
He is survived by his father and stepmother, Don and Julie James
of Condon, Ore.; mother, Daun James of Kodiak; sisters, Amber James
of Portland, Ore., and Erin James of Anchorage; nephew, Alika James
of Portland, Ore.; niece Shayla Espiritu of Anchorage; stepsister,
Shanna Odegaurd, stepbrothers, Brandon and Joel Odegaurd; grandfather,
Don James of Condon; and many cousins, aunts and uncles in Alaska
and the Lower 48. He was preceded in death by two grandmothers,
Sarah James and Carol James. Arrangements are with Anchorage Funeral
Home and Crematory.
|
| JOHNSON |
James
Jorgen Johnson (1919-1958) Mr. Johnson, known as "The Screaming
Swede," was raised in the Alaska Peninsula - Aleutian Island
- Kodiak area. As Captain of BSP511 in the U. S. Army, Jimmy rescued
400 passengers and crew members aboard the Steamship "Yukon"
which ran aground east of Seward in 1946 during a blinding snowstorm.
For his act of heroism, Jimmy received medal at Ft. Richardson, Alaska.
After leaving the military, Jimmy was a fisherman around Cook Inlet.
He died as he had lived, wild, woolly and one superior Alaskan boatman.
Buried in Angelus Cemetery in Anchorage. |
| JOSEPH |
Lifelong
Alaskan resident Michael J.P. Joseph, 20, a trapper and Kodiak
resident, died April 26, 1991 in Kodiak. A funeral was held May 3
at St. Peter Fisherman Catholic Church in Toksook Bay. Burial will
be in the Toksook Bay Cemetery. Mr. Joseph was born Aug. 4, 1970,
in Bethel. He is survived by his father, John of Anchorage; his mother,
Sophie, of Kodiak; his brother, Albert, and sister, Molly, of Anchorage;
and his grandmother, Anesia Andrew of Bethel. Local arrangements were
by Kehl's Forest Lawn Mortuary and Crematory. 18 |
|
KINNEAR
|
KINNEAR,
BLAKE H. 73, died Dec. 16 (1995) in Washington. He crewed on the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife cutter Crane and ran the cutter Grizzly Bear
before getting involved with the fishing industry in 1951. He crewed
on boats and worked for fish processors in Port Graham, Seldovia and
Uganik. He also was a partner in the Pacific Pearl cannery in Kodiak.
He had been a manager for Pan Alaska Fisheries and Trident Fisheries.
In 1989 he helped direct the Kodiak fleet in the cleanup of the Exxon
Valdez oil spill. (4/96) |
| LaLANDE
|
Max
N. LaLande.(1912-1999) Max was born to be a baker and in 1942
he brought his skill to Alaska. He became a contractor to the military
during WWII and kept our troops sustained with baked goods. Later,
in Kodiak, he started several businesses which culminated in Kodiak
Bakery. Max moved to Anchorage in 1958 and ran Tudor Market until
he retired. After his retirement, the Anchorage Pioneer's Home was
the beneficiary of his white thumb for the next 19 years. He loved
to tell how he obtained vintage 1880 sourdough from Sourdough Ed in
the Aleutians in 1942 and continued to use it for many years thereafter.
Buried in Angelus Cemetery in Anchorage. |
| LeDOUX |
Following
an intense, yearlong battle with cancer, longtime Kodiak resident
Shirley LeDoux, 74, died peacefully in her sleep Jan. 1, 2006
A viewing will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Kodiak Mortuary.
A service is tentatively scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Kodiak Bible
Chapel. A reception will be afterward. Mrs. LeDoux was born on Sept.
2, 1931, in Minnesota to Stella and William Zackariason. As a child
she loved to read and work around her parents' farm. She was very
active in all aspects of school life, including playing in the band,
acting in school performances and editing the yearbook. In 1965, she
moved with her family to Kodiak, where she resided until her death.In
1973, after the death of her husband, Loyde, she went to work to support
her large family. She worked in several local businesses, including
Safeway, where she retired several years ago after many years of service.
Her family wrote: "Gramma Shirley, as she became known to many,
loved to greet her many friends, chatting about their families and
'The Braves.' Shirley was always a fixture at her children's and grandchildren's
Little League baseball and high school basketball games, where she
cheered on the Bears with her friends. "Shirley enjoyed attending
performances of all kinds at the high school auditorium, visiting
with her friends and taking long rides around Kodiak, enjoying the
scenery of the island she loved. She also spent countless hours in
the kitchen making lunches for her friends and baking cookies, sticky
buns and other treats. Mrs. LeDoux was preceded in death by her son,
Kurt; daughter, Lynn; grandson, Daniel; brothers, Buddy and Walter
Zackariason; and sister, Irene.In addition to her many grandchildren,
she is survived by her sister, Vernette Houle, and six sons and their
wives, Mark and Mary of Arizona, Larry and Jeannie of Kodiak, Jeff
and Viviann of Kodiak, Gene and Jane of Pennsylvania, Jon and Virginia
of California, and James and Patty of Idaho.
|
| NELSON |
John
(Johnny) Nelson, Sr.
(March 29, 2011) John (Johnny) Alfred Nelson Sr., 96, died peacefully
Monday, March 28, 2011, at home in Port Lions, with family by his
side. He was born March 31, 1914, in Afognak to Alfred Nelson and
Irene Petellin Nelson, the first born of 11 children.His funeral services
were held in Port Lions on March 31 on what would have been his 97th
birthday.His nephew, Father Alexei of Cordova, officiated at the service
held at the Nativity of the Theotokos. Pall bearers were grandsons
Michael Nelson, Alvin Nelson Jr., Sidney Hoedel, Kelvin Nelson, Colver
Sonnentag, Arnie Jay Nelson and Henry Orth V. Robby John Hoedel was
the cross bearer.As a youth Johnny worked with his father Alfred at
the fish hatchery in Litnik, and he had many fond memories of that
time that he liked to recount to his children and grandchildren. He
and his father would row a skiff to Afognak once a month to get supplies
for their family in Litnik. He would then have to walk about five
miles with a heavy load on his back. While at the fish hatchery, Johnny
watched a fellow play the steel guitar and taught himself to play.
He ordered his first steel guitar from the Sears Roebuck Catalog.
He always played the steel guitar at the town dances and said that
was why he never learned to dance.Johnny along with his father played
a vital role in transplanting Elk to Afognak Island. He told of setting
up the planks and helping to guide the elk out of the skiff to land
using alfalfa to entice them.Many of his years were spent commercial
fishing on the KFC-00 with his sons as crewmembers. The fishing boat
was then later run by four of his sons.After the 1964 earthquake,
Johnny along with other men from Afognak went in search of a place
to relocate the village and mutually decided on Settler’s Cove.
His carpenter skills were put to use on many of the homes in the new
village. He also served on the first city council of Port Lions.He
worked as a boat builder/carpenter for Kadiak Fisheries and Columbia
Wards in Port Bailey for many years. He was a master carpenter and
one of his first projects was building a kitchen play set for his
younger sisters with the hammer he received from his father. Up until
he was 95 he spent at least four hours a day working in his shop and
gave many of his projects away to loved ones.His sense of humor remained
intact; and even become more pronounced in his last months as he laughed
along with his children as they cared for him. Smiles came more readily
to his face as he expressed his gratitude. No matter the time of day
as he went by his wife Helen sitting in her chair he would say, “Good
morning, Mom.” Every day we are here is a good morning!He was
a great role model for his many children on the importance of hard
work. He leaves behind a legacy of loving his large family and being
concerned about their health and wellbeing while his health was failing.
His regret was that “I just don’t want to leave you.”
However, we know that we will one day see Daddy again.Johnny is survived
by his wife of 60 years, Helen Nelson, his children John Nelson Jr.
(Vivian), Marjorie Garretson, Alvin Nelson (Arlene), Cecil Nelson,
Gerald Nelson (Margaret), Robert Nelson (Galena), Arnold Nelson (Elizabeth),
Janice Stiller (Marlyn), Harry Nelson (Kathy), Candace Nelson (Bert
Bendixen), Marci Orth (Henry), Thomas Nelson (Dawn), 36 grandchildren
and 41 great-grandchildren. His grandson Robert Nelson Jr. preceded
him in death.
|
| OPHEIM |
Edward
Nicholas Opheim, Sr.(February 24, 2011) Edward Nicholas OpheimSr.
passed away on Feb. 24, 2011. Grandpa, as he was affectionately called
by everyone, was born on May 10, 1910, in Unga, Alaska. Ed grew up
cod fishing with his father here in Kodiak. They fished cod by rowing
their dories, casting their nets and pulling their catch in by hand.
His stories of those days never failed to enthrall his listeners.
He led a very full life on his homestead in Pleasant Harbor, Spruce
Island. Lifelong fisherman, logger, sawmill owner, fox farmer, cattle
rancher and builder of the famous Opheim dory; his beautiful dories
are still plying Alaska’s waters today. His talent and knowledge
passed to his sons Ed Jr. and Norman, who carry on the tradition of
dory building.Ed lived for 85 years in Pleasant Harbor building a
beautiful home and two large boat-building shops. Many people from
all over the world would come to visit — he always welcomed them.
Ed was an avid letter writer, corresponding with many people from
all corners of the world. Ed read every book that he could get his
hands on and it showed in his conversation. He could discuss any subject
you wanted with knowledge. He never stopped wanting to learn more
about the world. In his later years, Ed wrote and published three
books: “Old Mike of Monks Lagoon,” “Memoirs of a Cod
Fisherman’s Son” and “The Day the Meadowlark Sang,”
each proving that Ed was a talented writer.It is hard to summarize
100 years of living. Grandpa was alive and actually saw and sailed
on the large sailing ships of last century. He passed by Native Indians
living in real teepees in his trek through Montana in his childhood.
He actually knew men named One-Eyed Mike, Three-fingered Gus and One
Arm Frank; hardworking fisherman of the last century.For the last
two years, Grandpa has lived in the Kodiak Care Center with nurses
and staff who truly cared for him. His sense of humor never failed
and his attitude of being grateful of each day no matter rain or shine
will be remembered by those who knew and loved him. Ed had six children.
His daughters Edwina Anderson and Edna Motes preceded him in death.
Still kicking are Ed’s four sons, Ed Opheim Jr. of Kodiak, Chris
Opheim of Soldotna, Norman Opheim of Seldovia and David Opheim of
Sunny Cove, Alaska. Ed also had a multitude of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Last, but certainly not least, 100 years of friendships with people
all over the world. |
| OSTROSKY |
Harold
'Hank' Ostrosky, 71, died Oct. 3, 1997, in Anchorage. A service
will be from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Fairview Recreation Center.
Burial will follow at Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery. A potlatch
celebration featuring North American and Pacific Island indigenous
performers will be conducted from 4 to 8 p.m. at the recreation center.
In addition to family members, honorary pallbearers will include representatives
of the following groups: Yupik, Inupiat, Athabaskan, Dena'ina, Eyak,
Tlingit, Haida, Hawaiian, Ozinki, Oneida and Lakota. They are: Zeck
Koa Donahue, Daniel Ostrosky, George, Archie and Clayton Gottchalk,
Etok, Gary Harrison, Mary Ann Mills, Thomas McGloin, Ralph Mancuso,
Gary Patton, Tom Able, Androcles Kaawa, Ron Barnes, Nick Katelnikoff,
Pam Colorado, Richard Grass, Marie SmithJones, Peter Pitka, Moses
Pavilla, Liko Martin, Harry Davidson, Drew Froelich, Dr. Richard Haard,
Jim Sykes, Mark Clark and Peter Ruocco. Mr. Ostrosky was born Aug.
2, 1926, in Torrington, Conn. An Alaska resident since 1948, he lived
and worked in various places. He was a bush pilot and cattle wrangler
on Afognak Island from 1948-1956. A commercial fisherman from 1948-1990,
he was also an electronics technician from 1957-1967, and publisher/editor
of the Bristol Bay News 44 from 1960-1971. At the time of his death
he had been a human rights and sovereignty advocate/consultant to
various indigenous peoples throughout North America and the Pacific
since 1969, and official representative for the traditional elders
council of Atmautluak and Tununak, Alaska, since 1987. His children
wrote: ''Hank was jailed twice as a political prisoner, once on 'littering'
charges and later he spent over six months in jail for saying the
words: 'You have no jurisdiction here.' '' ''He was a champion of
people everywhere, fighting for their indigenous rights and titles.
His main purpose in life was to develop, for future generations, what
he called a 'psycho-socio-bio-economic system.' ''Our dad taught us
the meaning of integrity, dignity, honor, and unselfish generosity.
He was a master craftsman of words. Always articulate, he reconstructed
the language to eliminate the possibility of its corruption and to
more accurately depict the truth. He never compromised his ideals
and integrity, and the power of his being and his presence on our
Earth made us feel protected and safe from injustice and oppression.
We fervently hope that those of us left will find the courage to rage,
rage against the dying of the light.'' Mr. Ostrosky is survived by
his daughters, Lori of Alaska and Julianne of Hawaii; grandchildren,
Zeck and Ryder Donahue, both of Hawaii, and Emerald Kaitryn of Alaska;
sister, Barbara Mancuso; brothers, Daniel and Edward; nephews, Ralph,
Steve and Mike Mancuso; niece, Darlene; and son-in-law, Thomas McGloin.
He was preceded in death by the mother of his children and the woman
he loved, Kathryn Louise Baker Ostrosky, and Zeck Martin Ostrosky.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Harold
''Hank'' Ostrosky Memorial Fund at First National Bank of Anchorage,
and later to the Hank Ostrosky Indigenous Rights and Titles Foundation.
Arrangements by Evergreen Memorial Chapels. |
| PETERSON |
Evelyn
R. Peterson(March 4, 2011) Evelyn R. Peterson passed away on Friday,
March 4, 2011, at 5:10 p.m. at Providence Hospital in Kodiak. She
had family and her favorite priest and nurse by her side. Evelyn was
born in Ouzinkie, April 29, 1957, to Emil and Alice Anderson. She
took life by the horns and remained headstrong |
| SHUGAK |
Dora
Darlene Shugak(March 13, 2011) Anchorage resident Dora Darlene Shugak,
51, died Sunday, March 13, 2011, at Alaska Native Medical Center.
A visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday at the Russian Orthodox
Church, 401 Turpin Road. A service will follow at 2 p.m. at the church.
Pallbearers include Ron Shugak, Troy Shugak, Mike Katt, John Tubin
and Luke Tubin. Burial will take place at the Anchorage Memorial Park
Cemetery.Dora was born Aug. 10, 1959 in Kodiak. Dora is survived by
her sons, Ronald Shugak of Anchorage and Mike Katt of Edinburg, Texas;
brothers, Ben Shugak of Florida and Traefime Shugak of Anchorage;
sister, Lorraine Tubin of Anchorage; aunts, Neta Graves of Old Harbor
and Bessie Azuyak of Old Harbor; uncle, Tony Azuyak of Old Harbor;
and granddaughter, Katherine Rae Peterson.Dora was preceded in death
by her mother and father, Mike Shugak and Lucy Shugak.Arrangements
are with Janssen’s Evergreen Memorial Chapel, www.janssenfuneralhomes.com.
|
| SHURAVLOFF |
Martha
Shuravloff died peacefully Sept. 3, 2010, in Anchorage. She was 94.A
visitation will be at 6 p.m., followed by a service at 7 p.m., Sunday
at Evergreen Memorial Chapel. The Rev. John Zabinko will officiate.
A second service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Russian Orthodox
Church in Kodiak.Martha was born June 19, 1916, in Kodiak, where she
and her husband, Nick, raised their nine children. Martha was a homemaker
for most of her life and enjoyed cooking and crocheting. Some of her
happiest times were spent preparing for her traditional family Sunday
dinners and working in her garden. A fun-loving mother, grandmother,
great- and great-great-grandmother, she will be dearly missed.Martha
is survived by her daughter Patricia "Teisha" Harris and
son-in-law Peter of Anchorage; sons and daughters-in-law, Nick Shuravloff
Jr., Michael Shuravloff and Jacquie, Walter Shuravloff and Gloria,
Richard Shuravloff and Jennie, all of Anchorage, and Marty Shuravloff
and Andrea of Kodiak; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren
and great-great-grandchildren.Martha was preceded in death by her
husband, Nick Sr.; and daughters, Nettie, Ione and Edna.Arrangments
are with Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel |
| SIMEONOFF |
Helen
Simeonoff (January 8, 2011) Helen Jane Simeonoff, 69, known for
her brilliant watercolors, died peacefully Jan. 8, 2011, at her Anchorage
home after a long illness. Her daughter, Sharon Tylla, and longtime
friend and cousin, Lydia Olsen, were at her side.A service was held
Wednesday at the Alaska Native Heritage Center.She was born Oct. 23,
1941, to William “Bill” Simeonoff Jr. and Alexandra “Alice”
Knagin in Kodiak.A graduate of Kodiak High School, she worked for
several Lower 48 law firms and, during the 1980s, the Anchorage Police
Department.In 1993, she left permanent employment to launch a career
as a watercolor artist. She studied art at Southwestern College in
San Diego and the University of Alaska at Adak, where she was deeply
influenced by artist Rush Cole. She traveled to Italy to further develop
her style.At first, her work was based on Tlingit and Haida themes,
but her painting took a turn when her Native peers asked why she didn’t
focus on her own Alutiiq culture. Soon she began painting Orthodox
churches, Kodiak masks and kayak paddles, Alutiiq dress and other
subjects.Simeonoff donated many of the paintings to friends and museums,
including the Alutiiq Museum in Kodiak. Her paintings were hung in
the Springhill Suites in Fairbanks, the Talkeetna and Windsong lodges,
the Marriott Hotel, Residence Inn and many other public places. Some
of her works sell for $12,000 or more. Her first painting went for
$20.She received special awards and certificates for paintings and
photography. She traveled twice to France to study the Pinart collection
of Kodiak Island masks and other works of art at the Chateau Museum
in Boulogne-sur-Mer.Ms. Simeonoff enjoyed camping, exploring, gardening,
glass fusion, stained glass, reading and researching family history.“She’s
as colorful as her art/paintings,” said daughter Sharon Tylla.“What
I liked most about Helen was her childlike spirit,” Lydia Olsen
said. “She lived life on her terms and she died on her terms.
She was a gal of many talents and gifts. Helen loved her people and
her culture.”“Helen gave us much through her art work, her
compassion at heart, but mostly her love for her Native people and
through the research and preservations of the Sugpiaq culture of Kodiak
Island,” said her friend and cousin, Maggie Napoleon.Ms. Simeonoff
was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Irene Fischer; and brother,
Ronnie Simeonoff.She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon
and Rob Tylla; son, Robert “Rob” Luther; grandson, Garrett
Lane Schmidt; brother, Edward Spracher and wife Michelle; niece, Alonda
Spracher and husband Kris Tibbitts; nephew, Jason Spracher; nieces,
Dawn Marie Talcott and Judith Simeonoff; nephew, Vincent Simeonoff;
and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
|
| SPRINGHILL
|
SPRINGHILL,
BETTY CARTER 78, a teacher and tireless supporter of causes in
Kodiak, died April 1 (1995) in Anchorage. She and her late husband,
John, owned a Kodiak jewelry store. After the 1964 tidal wave, they
rebuilt their store on skids--so it would float if another disaster
occurred-and renamed the business "Dad's Ark." (8/95) |
| STAFFORD
|
Lana
Margaret Stafford was born on 8 Sep 1924 in Lugerville, WI. She
died on 5 Aug 1989 in Soldotna, AK. She was buried in Kodiak Cemetery,
Kodiak, AK. Lana married Frank Matthew Kozak on 17 Nov 1945 in Phillips,
WI. Frank was born on 29 Mar 1917 in at home on the farm near Crane
Chase Lake.. He died on 10 May 1990 in Soldotna, AK. He was buried
in Kodiak Cemetery in Kodiak, AK . |
| SUNDBERG |
Eugene
“Gene” Sundberg (October 28, 2010) Eugene Sundberg,
known lovingly to many as Gene, was born Sept. 14, 1933. He passed
away last Thursday morning at the Alaskan Native Medical Center in
Anchorage. He will be deeply missed by so many who love him. He considered
himself to be a very lucky man to have lived during what he considered
to be perhaps the best period in history. Gene left us with his own
words:“I know a lot of people have said the same of their own
periods of life. There were good times and bad times but it seems
my life fit into more of the good times.“I was born just after
the Great Depression, and if there was one in Kodiak I grew up through
it. We were not rich but we didn’t seem to lack for much. My
dad, Fred Sundberg, worked from the time he married my mother, Edith
( Norton) Sundberg, and so was able to provide the basics for me,
my sister Marilyn and youngest sister Glenace. We rented several places
in Kodiak before my dad built us a permanent residence on Cope Street.
We went to school in Kodiak and I graduated from high school in 1952.
We played basketball and took the Fur Rendezvous Class B Championship
three of the four years and one year in second place. When I was in
the sixth grade, I spotted a cute girl from Idaho and Phyllis Sullivan
and I began walking home together as we lived in the same neighborhood.
It wasn’t long before we walked home holding hands.“My mother
died when I was 16 and my dad in 1952 leaving me to become the head
of the family. On May 1, 1954, Phyllis and I got married and now with
my immediate family I set out to provide for us all. I went to work
after graduation for O. Kraft and Son, a general mercantile firm,
as a stock clerk, working up to freight hauler and eventually as warehouse
man, responsible for ordering the groceries. In 1969, I became the
acting general manager until I left the firm in 1976 after 24 years.“In
the meantime Phyllis and I started our own family with the birth of
our first son, David. A year later I got drafted into the Army. When
I reported to my new company commander he asked what I was doing in
the army with five dependents. He asked (basically, ordered) me to
get paperwork from my place of work, bank and others asking for my
release from the army. He thought I was needed more at home and within
three months released me from the active Army with a hardship discharge
and I filled out my military obligation in the National Guard. I ended
up as a weapons instructor for everything from a .45 caliber pistol
to the 105 mm recoilless rifle and earned the rank of sergeant first
class. The Guard was good for me as I had duties to the public as
well as the military. My unit was in charge of putting on the King
Crab Festival parade one year. Kodiak had a local TV station and we
would have programs to bring the locals up to speed on what was happening
in the Guard. We had a recruiter on board who built the company up
to 110 men. It was an exciting time.“During my work at Krafts
I had an opportunity to join the Kodiak Elks. I served 50 years in
this organization and went through the all the chairs to the top position.
I also began serving on several boards of directors including the
Kodiak Electric Association (37 years) the hospital board ( five years)
the Afognak Native Corporation Board (24 years) the Elks board of
trustees (six years) and a couple of others for short times for a
total of 75 years of service to the Kodiak community.“After I
left Krafts in 1976, I joined the Koniag Regional Corporation as their
land manager where I stayed for seven years. While my job was to get
lands conveyed to the corporation I became a part of a team to attempt
a land exchange with the federal government. We worked four years
and traded lands we owned on the mainland for the north half of Afognak
Island. On Dec. 2, 1980, I and other members of our team were at the
White House in Washington, D.C., to witness President Jimmy Carter
sign the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, which contained
the Koniag Amendment. It was a very interesting and exciting process
to go through. I returned to my regular work in getting land conveyances
until I left Koniag in 1983.“It wasn’t long before I had
an opportunity to go to work for the Kodiak Island Borough School
District as the purchasing supervisor for the district. I was responsible
for keeping the central stores supplies on hand for the teachers and
kept the fixed asset records. I, not being the best at my computer,
asked people better than I to help me develop our manually kept records
onto the computer. Within a year I had an automatic ordering system
for central stores and a program for keeping fixed asset records —
a gigantic change. Other accomplishments were made to make things
easier. I worked there for 12 years and retired.“I felt proud
of my three careers. In each I felt I had accomplished something good
for the people of Kodiak. And at home because of Paul, our youngest
son, we became a fishing family and we prowled the rivers and beaches.
When he was 13, he wanted us to get a boat and be able to catch Halibut
at Buoy 4 and fish and picnic at other beaches. This was all well
and good but I had no idea how to run a 17-foot Boston whaler—
but I (we) learned — somehow! When we first launched the boat
in the town side boat ramp I backed it into the water. Shortly Phyllis
yelled at me that the boat was taking on water. I knew that couldn’t
be so because we had plugged the three holes in the bottom. So I pulled
the boat out of the water only to find water coming out of the stern.
I had forgotten to put the plug in the little round hole. I learned
a good lesson. Its never happened again in over 50 years.“Phyllis
and I have had fun watching the boys grow up and have been very proud
of their progress in becoming men. However, Phillip joined the Coast
Guard and was killed in 1977. It will be great to see him again. David
became a gas/diesel/refrigeration mechanic and retired from Horizon
after 30 years. I thought I took early retirement at 63, David took
his at 52! Our son Paul graduated from Seattle University in 1984.
He is now in real estate in the Seattle area living in a new house
with his wife. He is the first and only Sundberg who graduated from
Seattle University. Phyllis and I are very proud of them.”Gene
is preceded in death by his parents Fred and Catherine, his sister
Marylin Lyle and his son Philip. Gene is survived by his sons David
and wife Mary, Paul and wife Gina; grandchildren Malina, Justin and
Jared; great-grandchildren Caitlyn and Austin Hacker; sister Glenace
and husband Ed Perkins; and many nieces and nephews. Gene is related
to many of the old Kodiak families too numerous to mention by name.In
lieu of flowers donations can be made to Saint Innocent’s Academy
or St. Herman’s Theological Seminary.And a final word from Gene:“So
this life is ended and it is now time to check out the new adventures
that are surely in store for me. I hope to see a lot of the people
I have known in this life and I hope to see the rest of you, my friends,
someday … somewhere nice. Goodbye and God bless you, and as one
of our old friends used to say, we’ll see you when the wind shifts.” |
| TAGUCHI
|
TAGUCHI,
ISAMU "SAM" Juneau resident Isamu "Sam" Taguchi,
77, died Dec. 20 (1995) in Juneau. His City Café was an important
gathering place for generations of local politicians, tradesmen and
fishermen. Taguchi came from Seattle in 1935 to work in a fish cannery
at Shearwater Bay on Kodiak Island before coming in the late 1930s
to Juneau, where he worked at the Juneau Laundry. In Juneau when the
attack on Pearl Harbor occurred, Taguchi was asked to help with the
evacuation of Japanese Americans to an assembly camp in Puyallup,
Wash. He later was reunited with his family at the Minidoka Camp in
Hunt, Idaho. He then moved to Minnesota. Returning to Juneau in 1949,
he was offered a partnership in the City Café, eventually assuming
full ownership. The restaurant moved to its present location around
the time the downtown ferry terminal was built. In 1982 Taguchi sold
the business, later opening "Taguchi's Fine Chow" with his
brother, Gim. He retired several years ago. Taguchi was a lifelong
sports enthusiast, his family wrote. At age 10, he appeared on two
Seattle Times sports-quiz radio shows, in which he placed first both
times. While living in Chicago during the 1940s, he organized and
coached the Chicago Huskies basketball team, made up of former Seattleites.
Taguchi also sponsored a successful Juneau basketball team, the City
Café, in the '50s. He also was an avid bowler and sponsored
a City Café bowling team. During the 1960s, Gov. Bill Egan
appointed Taguchi as Alaska's Commissioner of Athletics. - Chris Russ,
Juneau Empire (4/96) |
|
VOGLER
|
VOGLER,
JOE - A miner, land developer and founder of the Alaska Independence
Party, was 80 years old when he disappeared in 1993. After 16 months
of investigation, his body was unearthed from a shallow grave near
Fairbanks on Oct. 12 (1994). A Fairbanks man was indicted in December
for his murder. Born in a sod dugout on the plains of Kansas, Vogler
was 28 when he arrived in Alaska in 1942. Although armed with a law
degree from the University of Kansas, he worked construction on the
military bases, first at Kodiak, later in interior Alaska. He worked
hard, and his estate includes extensive real estate holdings around
Fairbanks and mining claims in other parts of the Interior. Vogler
was an outspoken critic of government and advocated Alaska's secession
from the Union. He made war on his neighbors, local government and
the state, sometimes appearing in court as his own lawyer. He saved
his most spectacular verbal volleys for federal officials, especially
those of the Park Service who imposed control on his mining and land
development activities. When his admirers looked at him, they saw
John Wayne on a D-8 Cat-a no-nonsense, stand-up guy with the guts
to take on the feds 24 hours a day. He was not a Bircher or even a
conservative. Sometimes-when he called for local hire, job training
and better house-he even sounded like a socialist. He also was unusually
tolerant of the difficulties young people face. Vogler made three
unsuccessful bids for governor under the Alaskan Independence banner.
His last appearance on Alaska's political stage was in 1990, when
he lent the Alaska Independence Party to former Gov. Wally Hickel
so Hickel would have a spot on the general election ballot. At his
request, Vogler will be buried in Canada, beyond reach of Washington
bureaucrats. |
| WAMSER |
Richard
Thomas “Dick” Wamser (December 29, 2010) Longtime Alaska
and Washington resident Richard Thomas “Dick” Wamser, 74,
died Dec. 29, 2010, at the Alaska Native Medical Center.Mr. Wamser
wanted to be close to his mother and father, requesting that his ashes
be laid to rest in the Kodiak Cemetery. Burial, a memorial service
and gathering will be held in the spring, possibly on May 20, Dick’s
birthday. Notice of the services will be published in the Anchorage
Daily News and the Kodiak Daily Mirror.Mr. Wamser was born May 20,
1936, in Afognak Village, to Charley and Elice (von Scheele) Wamser.
He was baptized as a young child into the Russian Orthodox faith.
After graduating high school, Dick received his master’s degree
from Columbia University in New York. He proudly served 13 years as
a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, receiving an honorable discharge.Dick
returned to Alaska to carry on the family tradition of commercial
fishing in Bristol Bay from the mid-1960s to the mid 1980s. His various
gillnetters included, most famously, The Phantom. During the 1980s
and 1990s, Dick was the vessel owner and skipper of the salmon tenders:
The Ben B and M/V Midas.Dick resided in Anchorage his last four years,
becoming a co-guardian of his grand-niece, Dorrie Wamser. He devoted
time to ensuring Dorrie was secure and provided for. He was able to
reconnect with family and friends, especially enjoying playful time
with grand-nieces and grand-nephews.His family said: “Dick was
an independent, self-made man. Dick (“Uncle Dick”) believed
first and foremost in education and college. He also loved flowering
plants, and poinsettias, delivering them to family and friends at
Christmastime, his favorite holiday. Dick’s greatest love was
the ocean.”Dick is survived by his brother, Bernard Wamser; nieces,
Terrilyn Wamser, Marcia (Wamser) Anderson, and Susan Wamser, numerous
grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and many cousins.He was preceded in
death by his father, Charley Wamser, mother, Elice (von Scheele) Wamser;
and nephews, James Wamser and Charley Wamser. Dick will be dearly
missed by all his family and friends!
|
| WEST
|
Former
Eagle River resident Dorris Ann Bock West, 82, died peacefully
Sept. 29, 2005, at Providence Care Center in Kodiak. A service will
be at 11 a.m. today at Community Baptist Church in Kodiak. A potluck
lunch will be afterward in the church fellowship hall.An obituary
will be published later. |
| WILLIAMS |
Roger Williams, 63, died June 16, 2001, at the Alaska Native
Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Mr. Williams was born March 27,
1938, in Kodiak, Alaska. He is survived by his wife, Nida H. Williams;
daughters, Bertha A. Andrew, Betty J. Wilson and Geraldine Harris-Watson.
|
| WILSON |
Harry
Harold. Wilson, 55, died February 19, 2000, at the Alaska Regional
Hospital. Mr. Wilson was born in Kodiak, Alaska, on May 28, 1944.
He is survived by his sisters Arlene Trefry and Debbie Redmond. |
| YOVINO |
Frances
Adela Yovino (October 15, 2010) Frances Adela Yovino, 59 formerly
of Kodiak, Alaska passed away Friday, Oct. 15, 2010, at Sacred Heart
Medical Center in Spokane, Wash. She was born June 29, 1951, to Gus
and Pauline Yovino. She met the love of her life, Thomas “Mickey”
Sheridan, in Alaska. Together they moved to Usk, Wash., where they
lived out their lives surrounded by their children and grandchildren.
She was a homemaker and enjoyed a variety of hobbies. She loved her
family and all of her friends she met along the way. She was preceded
in death by her husband Mickey Sheridan; mother Pauline Yovino and
brother John Yovino. She is survived by her father Gus (Donna) Yovino;
brothers Gus Jr. (Toni) Yovino, Bill (Cindy) and their families; sister
Mary Ann (Reynold) Morris of Alaska. She also leaves behind son Samuel
(Maggie) Sheridan; grandchildren Ashlyn Sheridan, Jaden Cox, Ignace
Sheridan and Anjaleah Sheridan; son Robert Yovino and Kim Bottenfield;
grandchildren Eternity, Infinity and Trinity Bottenfield, Destin,
Dakoda and Denali Yovino; son William Westlake and grandchildren Brandy
Westlake and Alexis Sullivan and daughter Pam Boyles. A memorial service
was held Oct. 21, at 11a.m. at Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home at 423 W.
Second St. in Newport. Inurnment took place Oct. 22, at Newport Cemetery.
A reception followed at the Kalispel Tribal Community Center |
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