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Vernice Kirchhofer
Longtime Juneau resident Vernice Eleanora Kirchhofer died April 18, 2004, in Juneau.
She was born May 6, 1922, in Canada, to Andrew and Blanche Haffner. She arrived in Juneau by steamship when she was 12 with her mother and seven siblings. They met up with her father, who had moved up a year before. She graduated from Juneau High School in 1941. She married Everett Kirchhofer in 1946. She was a housewife and a mother.
Her family said she enjoyed gardening in the summer, jigsaw puzzles in the winter and spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed going to the Valley Senior Center for exercise classes and the Sourdough Gems Social Club.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, who died in Juneau in 1991.
She is survived by her brothers, Duane (Jewel) Haffner, Herman "Mick" (Marge) Haffner, Robert "Swede" (Judy) Haffner, Benjamin (Bobbie) Haffner, all of Juneau; sister, Florence (Mark) Floreski of Arkansas; daughters, Dorothy (Ken) Krieger and Doris Kirchhofer, both of Juneau; and grandson, Kurt Krieger of Juneau.
A memorial service will take place in early May, to be announced at a later date.
Mary Jean McManamin
Former Juneau resident Mary Jean McManamin, 83, died April 16, 2004, at her home in Anchorage.
She was born June 30, 1920, in Juneau. She graduated from high school in Juneau and attended the University of Washington. She lived in Juneau until 1944. She retired from a position of secretary with the FBI, and was a homemaker.
She was a member of Holy Family Cathedral in Anchorage and was involved in founding Bishop's Attic.
Her family wrote, "Mary Jean's life was blessed with wonderful friends and a devoted family. She had a quick wit and great sense of humor. You couldn't help but be drawn to her genuine goodness and kind spirit. She was fun to be around." They said she loved reading and her family.
She was preceded in death by her daughters, Mary Veronica McManamin in 1967 and Patricia Ann McManamin in 2003.
She is survived by her husband, John F. McManamin of Anchorage; son, John P. (Mary Lynn) McManamin of Anchorage; daughters, Nancy (Michael Peterson) McManamin of Anchorage, and Robin (Jeff Leppo) McManamin of Seattle; son-in-law, Jerry Ulmer of Anchorage; grandchildren, Conor, Molly, Graham, Evan, John, Joon, Emma, Sam and Peter.
A memorial Mass was held April 24 at Holy Family Cathedral with the Rev. Donald Bramble, O.P., officiating. Her cremated remains will be interred with her daughter and brother in Santa Barbara, Calif.
In lieu of flowers, send bequests to Hospice of Anchorage, 500 W. International Airport Rd., Suite C, Anchorage, AK 99518; or the American Cancer Society, 1057 W. Fireweed Lane, Anchorage, AK 99503.
Easterphine Riley
Longtime Juneau resident Easterphine Riley, 82, died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003, in New York, N.Y.
She was born July 31, 1921, in Sparta, Ga., to Mathew and Josephine Williams. She was the sixth girl in a family of six girls and one boy. As a young woman, she left her home in Georgia and moved to Washington, D.C. There she worked as a practical nurse. She later met and married Luther Mack Riley.
In 1947, seeking a better life for their family, they moved from the South to Juneau, where Luther's brother lived. They raised their six children on Douglas Island and were members of the Church of God Mt. Zion.
In 1965, Luther died in a car accident. She took over Luther's business and later worked for the federal government. After she retired, she ran her own one-woman day care/nursery school for many years in the Mendenhall Valley. She sent all six of her children to college and some went on to achieve masters and doctorates. She was active in the community and was a quilter, a doll collector, a wonderful cook and a country-style storyteller.
Her family wrote, "In her 55 years in Juneau she has touched countless lives. Her boundless energy and generous, compassionate spirit is an inspiration to us all. She is loved dearly by many and will be greatly, greatly missed. She was devoted to her family and spent many wonderful times traveling the world, including London, Micronesia and beyond."
She is survived by her children, Luther Mack Jr., Larry Manning, Leonardo Milo, Lionel Micah, Leora Myra and LaVina Minette; grandchildren, Tera Wyatt, Luther Riley IV, Leonard Riley Jr., Larry Riley Jr., Libby Riley, Rose Ward, Lionel Ward, Luther Riley, Aurora Riley, Ariel Riley, Grace Riley, Abigail Riley and Devon Lee Gubrud; great-grandchildren, Riley Wyatt, Christopher Wyatt and Ivy Riley; and sons and daughters-in-law, Gloria Botts, Maureen Riley, George Davenport and Kent Gubrud.
The pallbearers and honorary pallbearers are Luther Riley Jr., Luther Riley IV, Larry Riley Jr., Kent Gubrud, George Davenport and Cleveland Burley. The alternate pallbearer is Robert Paulo.
Friends and family are invited to attend her funeral and visitation at Alaska Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3839 Riverside Drive, Juneau. Visitation will be held from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18.
Flowers may be sent to the mortuary and donations may be made to the Easterphine Riley Hope Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of The Law Offices of Lionel M. Riley, 203 Kinoole Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720.
Robert Grant Mitchell
Douglas resident Robert Grant "Bob" Mitchell, 86, died Feb. 8, 2004, at his home in Douglas.
He was born May 28, 1917, in Pennsylvania. He came to Juneau in the early 1960s, and he and his wife, Louise Blanton Mitchell, were married in 1965. They lived for many years at their family's home on Lena Beach Road, enjoying their boat, the Fishhawk, gardening and the pleasures of wildlife on the beach. In later years, they moved to Douglas.
He was an associate of Yukon Equipment; opened his own business, Glacier Equipment; and retired from the State Department of Revenue. An avid golfer, he was active in the Sandblasters (gold club) in the 1960s and 1970s and thereafter maintained a membership in the Juneau Golf Club.
Passionate about the Shrine organization, he participated in the annual apple sale fundraiser, could be seen at the mall in full clown costume and drove his miniature car in the Fourth of July parade. He was honored with the 33rd Degree of Masonry in 1999.
He was preceded in death by his wife.
He is survived by his three stepchildren, Alex "Sandy" Blanton of New York City, Susan Blanton Yancey of Coulee City, Wash., and Tom Blanton of Juneau, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
There will be a small family service in the spring.
Beverly M. Dorsher
Beverly Mae Dorsher, 71, died Sept. 28, 2003, at her home in Douglas.
She was born May 28, 1932, in Minneapolis, Minn., to George A. and Isabelle N. Peck. She was a graduate of South High in Minneapolis, Class of 1950. She arrived in Douglas in 1978 and married Gerald J. Dorsher, also a 1950 graduate of South High, in 1980.
She was the past president of the Douglas Lions Club and Veterans of Foreign Ladies Auxiliary Taku Post 5559, and she served in several offices of the State of Alaska Ladies Auxiliary. She was also a past senior regent of Women of the Moose and held office in the Pioneers of Alaska Auxiliary, Igloo No. 6, and was a member of the Navy League of the United States.
Her most recent volunteer role was at the Juneau Convention and Visitors Bureau. She was a life member of Beta Sigma Phi, and at the time of her death held the office of Jr. Vice President Department of Alaska VFW Auxiliary. She also was co-director of the Juneau Fourth of July Parade Committee since 1993.
Her family wrote, "Beverly was thought of as a pillar of our community and will be greatly missed by her family and friends." She "took a personal interest in people young and old and was always willing to help whenever and however she could. In her spare time she loved to garden and took great pride in her rose plants and her neighborhood."
She is survived by her husband, Gerald J. Dorsher; sons Robin (Carol) Kern, Brion Dorsher, Michael (Sharon) Dorsher; daughters, Michelle (John) Wess, Jill (Demond) Chaney; grandchildren Melissa Kern, Danielle Steinwand, Jacob Chaney; brother George B. (Lois) Peck; sister Mona Peck; brother-in-law John L. (Mary) Dorsher, and numerous friends and relatives.
The Women of the Moose will hold a memorial service at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, at the Moose Lodge, 11306 Glacier Hwy. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minn.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Cancer Aid and Research, PO Box 20085, Juneau, AK 99802. The family can be contacted at P.O. Box 240003, Douglas, AK 99824.
Geraldine E. Bales
Juneau resident Geraldine E. Bales, 78, died Oct. 11, 2003, at home.
She was born Dec. 9, 1924, in Walla Walla, Wash., to Raymond and Thelma Hill. She married Charles D. Bales on Sept. 20, 1947. She lived in various places around the world until they settled in Juneau in 1981. She retired from the State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation, in 1992. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, her parents, and her sister, Mervin LouJean Hill.
She is survived by her sons, Charles David Bales of Centralia, Wash., and John (Twyla) Douglas Bales of Centralia, Wash.; daughters, Jere (Lloyd) Dee Davis of Ankeny, Iowa, Linda (Mark) Johnson of Juneau, and Lee Hanna and Matthew Wilson of Juneau; brother, James (Rosemary) Hill of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; sisters, Rea (Denny) Ellen Clark of Sioux City, Iowa, and Vivian (Harold) Davidson of Des Moines, Iowa; 12 grandchildren and five great-grand-children.
A remembrance will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at her home, 6590 Glacier Hwy. No. 206. Anyone who wishes to attend is welcome.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Hospice Homecare of Juneau, 419 Sixth St., Juneau, AK 99801.
Genie Chance
Former state legislator and Juneau resident Genie Chance died Sunday, May 17, 1998, at the Juneau Pioneers Home. She was 71. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, May 25, at Northern Light United Church in Juneau. A reception will follow at 3 p.m. at the Parkshore Condominium clubhouse.
Chance was born on Jan. 24, 1927, in Texas, to Judge and Mrs. A.S. Broadfoot. After her graduation from North Texas State University, she taught speech, radio, English and government in Texas. Chance moved to Alaska in 1959 and became one of the first women in broadcast news in Alaska. She was a radio and television reporter in Anchorage from 1959 to 1964, during which she provided national coverage of a plane crash and the 1964 Alaska earthquake. She won top Alaska Press Club Awards for three years running for her broadcast news coverage during that period.
Chance won a seat in the state House in 1968 and her Senate seat in 1974. During her tenure, Chance was a champion for education and women's issues, including abortion rights. She became a primary supporter of the 1970 abortion bill that gave women the right to obtain abortions.
Chance served as vice chairman and chairman of the House Health Education and Social Services Committee. She spearheaded progressive legislation that became state law, including the establishment of a statewide university system and a statewide telecommunications system.
Chance married former Speaker of the House Ketchikan Republican Rep. W.K. ``Bill" Boardman in 1971. The couple moved to Juneau in 1986, where Chance remained active in politics and other activities.
Chance is survived by daughter Jan Chance Blankenship; son-in-law Charles Blankenship; and grandchildren Jeremiah Blankenship, and Verity Blankenship of Juneau; and sister Mrs. Jesse Garrett of Texas.
She was preceded in death by her husband Boardman, who died in 1993; former husband Winston Chance; sons Winston Chance Jr., and Albert Chance.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 3200 Hospital Dr., Juneau, 99801.
Krista Hulse
Juneau resident Krista Janelle Hulse died Aug. 23, 2000, on the Glenn Highway. She was 17.
She was born Feb. 17, 1983, in Juneau to Randy and Linda Hulse. Her family wrote that she enjoyed music, horseback riding, art, reading, spending time with her friends and being a free spirit.
She is survived by her parents, her sister Sarina Danielle Hulse, her grandparents Frank and Betty Gorham and Virgil and Phyllis Hulse, all of Juneau; her great-grandparents Leota O'Keefe of Juneau and Harold S. Evans of California, aunts Becky, Carrie, Linda and Lauren Hulse, all of Juneau, Kay Melquist of Washington, Rori Hulse of Ketchikan and Karen Leon of California, uncles Tim, Roger and Rod Hulse and Terry Kullander of Juneau and Bob Hulse of Ketchikan and numerous cousins and extended family members.
Friends and family are invited to a service in memory and celebration of her life at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Northern Light United Church, 400 W. 11th. In lieu of flowers the family asks participants bring their best thoughts and wishes.
Lenora Knudson Strianses
Former Juneau resident Lenora Knudson Strianses died March 30, 2000, in Valley Hospital in Palmer.
She was born April 18, 1954, in Juneau and moved to the Interior in 1970.
She is survived by her husband John Strianses Sr.; children Lisa, John Jr., Duncan, Star, Cody, Raven and Becky, all of Sutton; mother Beatrice Knudson; sisters Jenny and Amy Knudson; and brothers James Jr., John and Stuart Knudson all of Juneau.
A memorial service will be held April 4, 2000 at 2 p.m., at the Bethel Assembly Church.
Lenora Knudson Strianses
Former Juneau resident Lenora Knudson Strianses died March 30, 2000, in Valley Hospital in Palmer.
She was born April 18, 1954, in Juneau and moved to the Interior in 1970.
She is survived by her husband John Strianses Sr.; children Lisa, John Jr., Duncan, Star, Cody, Raven and Becky, all of Sutton; mother Beatrice Knudson; sisters Jenny and Amy Knudson; and brothers James Jr., John and Stuart Knudson all of Juneau.
A memorial service will be held April 4, 2000 at 2 p.m., at the Bethel Assembly Church.
Robert H. (Bob) Crabtree
Juneau resident Robert H. (Bob) Crabtree died Dec. 23, 1999, at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after a brief illness.
He was born May 19, 1922, in Woodland, Calif. He served in the Air Force during World War II and graduated as a civil engineer from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 1960.
He began his engineering career with the City of Los Angeles Public Works Department, and later worked for the city of Oxnard, Calif. He became interested in sailing during this time and he and his wife Pat came up the coast to Southeast Alaska in 1977. They made Juneau their home in 1985. He retired from the City of Juneau in 1991. He enjoyed cruising Southeast waters in his sailboat Footloose every summer.
Last summer he and his wife Pat celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Wrangell.
He is survived by his wife Pat of Juneau; daughter Dale Crabtree and grandsons Aaron and Jason Lopez of Santa Paula, Calif. He has many relatives in Valdez and California.
Burial services were held Dec. 30, 1999 in Monterey, Calif.
A memorial service will be held in Juneau at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Cathedral of the Nativity Catholic Church.
