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Thelma "Liz" Van Sky
North Kenai resident Thelma "Liz" Van Sky died Thursday, Dec. 28, 2000, at her home after a bout with lung cancer. She was 70.
Services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai. Pastor Dale Kelley will officiate. Private family services will follow at the Kenai City Cemetery. A wake will be held at the Kenai Eagles Lodge at 2 p.m.
Mrs. Van Sky was born March 20, 1930, at Logansport, Ind. She received her G.E.D. and nursing certificate in 1980. She moved to Alaska in 1983, living for a short time in Anchorage before moving to the Kenai Peninsula. She also enrolled in numerous classes at Kenai Peninsula College. She was a homemaker.
Mrs. Van Sky was a member of the Eagles Auxiliary, North Kenai Community Club, the Nikiski Senior Center and the Clowns of America. She also served on the Nikiski Election Board. She enjoyed clowning and was a longtime member of the Kenai and Soldotna Dance Troupes. She was also an accomplished local artist.
"Liz was a very special and understanding lady. She devoted her life to her husband, home and family. She brought smiles to many faces, both old and young alike with her clown acts and walking in many Kenai and Soldotna parades, handing out candy to the kids and making them laugh. She loved dancing and the arts. She painted many beautiful pictures. Dancing with the Soldotna dance group, "Foxy Ladies and The Fox, " took tap and ballet lessons. She was a very courageous lady with a nasty painful disease. But she took it in stride and did it her way. She will always be loved by family and friends, " the family said.
She is survived by her husband, Wally; son, Jeffrey Fema of LaCrosse, Wis.; daughters Renee Mitotes, of Kenai, Dianne Fema, of Ft. Collins, Colo.; stepchildren Larry and Denny Van Sky, of Kenai; grandchildren, Matthew Mosher and Brenda Fema; sister Wilma Hougham, of Ormand Beach, Fla.; and numerous other family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Central Peninsula, 35477 Kenai Spur Highway, Suite 214, Soldotna, AK 99669.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Bonnie Wilson
Former Swanson River resident Bonnie Wilson died at her home on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2000. She was 71. Services will be held Jan. 3, 2001, at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo, Calif.
Mrs. Wilson moved to Alaska in 1962 and was involved in many activities in the Sterling, Soldotna and Kenai areas. As an avid bowler, she toured the state attending tournaments, always returning home with no voice from cheering her team on.
As a charter member of Peninsula Petroleum Wives, she served as their first president. She spent many happy hours with cards in her hands across the bridge table with friends. She was always ready, willing and able to get involved in any project that needed help, from organizing spaghetti feeds for the Sterling Elementary School kids to the Central Peninsula Community Hospital Startup Committee.
Mrs. Wilson continued her bowling and bridge on her return to Camarillo, Calif., where she and husband, Wayne, retired in 1984. Their 50th anniversary was celebrated in Alaska in May with family and friends joining them.
Along with her husband, she is survived by daughter and son, Terri Barefield and Willie Wilson; sister and brothers, Lee Bonser, Paul and Bill Schultz; six grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
Memorial donations can be made to The Alzheimer's Association K Chapter, 240 East Tudor Road, Suite 110, Anchorage, AK 99503.
Virginia Brand
Nikiski resident Virginia Brand died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2001, at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna. She was 36.
Arrangements are pending at Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Frieda Nell Rogerson
Frieda Nell Rogerson died Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001, with her family at her home in Broken Bow, Okla. She was 71.
Services were held Sunday at the Brumley-McCurtain Funeral Home Chapel in Broken Bow. She was interred next to her parents Dec. 26 at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City.
Mrs. Rogerson was born March 26, 1930, in Electra, Texas, to Charles F. and Nell Stanford. She married Glenn G. Rogerson Dec. 1, 1951, at Texarkana, Ark.
She lived in Soldotna from 1962 to 1976, where she was a secretary for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. Mrs. Rogerson did bookkeeping, was a Southern Baptist and enjoyed gardening and knitting. She loved music and taught many children how to play the piano, organ and accordion. She played the organ and piano for the First Baptist Church in Soldotna for many years.
"She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, " said her family.
Mrs. Rogerson is survived by her husband of 50 years, Glenn G. Rogerson of Broken Bow; daughters Glynda J. Robertson of Nikiski, Kathleen E. Rogerson Poage of Soldotna, Paula A. Carlson of Highbridge, Wis., Marinell Rogerson of Filer, Idaho, and Michelle Y. Goughnour of Sandpoint, Idaho; stepsons Danny G. Rogerson of Broken Bow and Michael D. Rogerson of Oklahoma City; 15 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements were made by Brumley-McCurtain Funeral Home.
Virginia M. Brand
Nikiski resident Virginia M. Brand died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2001, at Central Peninsula General Hospital. She was 36.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at North Star United Methodist Church in Nikiski. Pastor John Henry will officiate.
Mrs. Brand was born on Oct. 4, 1964, in Munich, Germany. She lived off and on in Alaska from 1986 to 1992, when she and her husband relocated here permanently. They lived in the Nikiski area for the majority of the time. They had lived in Valdez for two years while Mr. Brand was working at the Valdez Pipeline Terminal. She was a housewife, taking care of her husband for many years.
Mrs. Brand enjoyed riding motorcycles and horses.
"She is the only person that I ever met who knew how to give unconditional love. She is now finally free from all the pain and suffering, " her husband said.
Mrs. Brand is survived by her husband of 11 years, Donald of Nikiski; mother and stepfather; Vashti Ataya and Noah Lavaya of Fort Myers, Fla.; father, Peter Minten of Tucson, Ariz.; sisters, Christine of Georgia and Shannon Brown of Tucson; a half-sister, Dianne Minten of Tucson; her grandmother, Irene Carr of Orlando, Fla; and a niece and a nephew.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Brand family at P.O. Box 7926, Nikiski AK 99635.
Richard 'Dick' Hubley
Sterling resident Richard "Dick" Hubley died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2002, at his home near Sterling. He was 74.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Mr. Hubley was born Jan. 14, 1927, in Utica, N.Y., where he attended school. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Jan. 2, 1945, and served during World War II. He was honorably discharged Aug. 1, 1946.
He returned to New York and worked as a supervisor for the state Highway Department for 18 years. He then went to Greenland to work as a supervisor on the dewlines for a power plant for two years. Next, Mr. Hubley went on to Vietnam to work as a supervisor for the Pacific Architects and Engineers and later returned to Utica, where he owned and operated Hubley's Highland Serivce Station. In the 1970s, Mr. Hubley moved to Alaska and worked on the dewlines on the North Slope.
He was a member of the Catholic Church, American Legion, the National Rifle Association and a charter member of the Elks Club No. 2706 for many years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
"He always had a story to tell. He lived quite an adventurous life, " said his family. "When he was in Greenland, he was one of the few people that would brave the elements to go hunting and fishing."
Mr. Hubley was preceded in death by three brothers.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Jeanne Hubley of Sterling; children Donna Potter and Richard Hubley Jr., both of New York; stepchildren and their spouses Gayle and Mike Chavis, Scott and Laurel Stanistreet, Terri and Bob Purdy, Robyn and Bernard Burgdoff; stepchildren Lynda Hartnett, Kevin Stanistreet and Lori Stanistreet, all of New York; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Gloria Hubley, and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Hospice of the Central Peninsula, 35466 Kenai Spur Highway, Ste. 214, Soldotna, AK 99669.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Jess M. Chapman
Soldotna resident Jess M. Chapman died Thursday, Jan. 3, 2002, at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage from congestive heart failure after a brief illness. He was 72.
There will be a private celebration of life in Cocoa Beach, Fla., where a family reunion will be held in March. His ashes will be scattered in various favorite locations.
Mr. Chapman was born in Crookston, Minn., May 22, 1929. He had a dairy farm in Tomah, Wis., and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol there. He had an agricultural degree and owned a meat market in Crookston. Later he received education in electronics and worked for 3M Company in Minneapolis.
Upon moving to Alaska in 1981, he was employed by Alaska Commercial Company. He supervised and managed its meat departments in several Bush communities where he enjoyed the people, cultures and travel. He lived in Bethel and Nome for several years. He traveled to Kotzebue, Barrow, Dutch Harbor and Dillingham and several other communities. At age 65, Mr. Chapman retired to Anchorage and moved to Soldotna two years later.
His favorite pastime was his garden and flowers. His favorite activity was playing with his grandchildren and their friends.
"During all their activities you would find Granddad there watching the games and sharing the fun. He attended everyone's soccer game, even in the rain, and sometimes as many as six or seven games in one sitting. He will always be remembered for his fairness and love for all the children around him, " his family said.
Mr. Chapman declared to his family in his last days, "I have lived a wonderful 72 plus years, I have no regrets."
He is survived by his daughters and their spouses Susan and Dr. Anthony Endsley and Jane and Terry Hinz, all of Soldotna; son and daughter-in-law, Master Sgt. Jay and Susan Chapman of Cocoa Beach; and grandchildren James White of Tulsa, Okla., Travis Endsley, Kelly and Anthony Kitchen, Robby and Carolanne Small, Christofer, Laura, Kirsten and Terrence Hinz, Corey Avery and Morgan Kitchen, all of Soldotna, and Eric, Alex and Weston Chapman of Cocoa Beach.
Arrangements were made by Alaska Cremation Center.
Kevin Shannon Duffy
Former Kenai Peninsula resident Kevin Shannon Duffy died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001, in Florida after a long, courageous battle with leukemia. He was 50.
Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Ann Catholic Church in Naples, Fla., on Sunday, Dec. 30., 2001. Burial will be in the spring at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
Mr. Duffy was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1951 to June and Gerald Duffy. He graduated from St. John's Academy and Plattsburgh State University.
The family lived in Clam Gulch for many years. Residences also included Seattle, Plattsburgh, N.Y., and Naples.
Mr. Duffy was a graduate of the Divers' Institute of Technology and a certified dive master, licensed pilot, U.S. Coast Guard captain, nationally ranked U.S. luge racer, member of the United Fishermen of Alaska, a member of the Naples Area Board of Realtors as well as an accomplished mountain climber.
"A man of many talents, Kevin will be missed by his family and friends, " they said.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Cynthia (Tia FitzPatrick) Duffy; two sons Connor F. Duffy and Garrett F. Duffy; two sisters Susan Smith and Patricia Barrett; brother, Dr. Timothy M. Duffy; brothers-in-law Darryl Smith and Gordon Barrett; sister-in-law, Gretchen Duffy; and nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to St. John Neumann High School, 3000 53rd St. SW, Naples, FL 34116.
William J. "Bill" Kraus
Longtime Soldotna resident William J. "Bill" Kraus died Thursday, March 21, 2002, at Central Peninsula General Hospital shortly after an automobile accident. He was 69.
A gathering of his friends and family will follow an April memorial Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Soldotna. His ashes will lie near his son's in Spruce Grove Memorial Park Cemetery in Kasilof.
Mr. Kraus was born April 23, 1932, in Erie, Pa., one of seven children. He was a 1962 graduate of Gannon University in Erie, and he served in the U.S. Navy. He married his true love and soul mate and moved his family to Alaska in 1971. After spending three years in Southeast Alaska, he settled in Soldotna, where he made his home. Mr. Kraus was employed by the state of Alaska, retiring in 1987.
Mr. Kraus was a tremendous husband and father who loved to spend time with his family, his family said. He also loved bowling, fishing with his grandsons and working around his home and shop. He enjoyed listening to music, playing clarinet, gardening with his wife, watching his "Dukies" and volunteering his time with seniors.
"He had many friends and loved them all. He will be remembered for his warmth and generosity. Those who knew Bill felt fortunate to share in his life, " his family said.
Mr. Kraus was preceded in death by his youngest son, Richard J. Kraus.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret Kraus; son, Tim Kraus; daughter and son-in-law, Heidi and Lonnie Wood, and their daughter, Taylor; daughter, Gretchen Dubendorf and her husband, Ray, and their sons, Kory and Keegan, and in-laws, Nick, Tammie and Tab Hunter.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Myrtle Jewell (Toso) Johnson Edwards Grimm
Myrtle Jewell (Toso) Johnson Edwards Grimm died Saturday, March 30, 2002, at her home in Kenai. She was 86.
A memorial service will be held at Ephrata, Wash., at a later date.
Mrs. Grimm was born at home April 18, 1915, in Isabel Township, Benson County, North Dakota. In 1934, she married Roy O. Johnson, her high school sweetheart.
On Jan. 1, 1953, she married Archie E. Grimm in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. They moved to Ephrata, where Archie was the State Farm Insurance agent for Grant County. She was the administrative assistant for the agency.
She was active in the Business and Professional Women, Toast Mistress International, Sons of Norway and Trinity Lutheran Church until she moved to Kenai in 1999, where she took up residence with her son, Ron.
"She was a loving and gentle person who was always there with a helping hand and a smile to warm the heart. Her most used quote is best used to describe her attitude toward life itself: 'One day at a time ... just one day at a time.'
"We will miss her one day at a time, " her family said.
She was preceded in death by her husband in September 1986; her brother, Ernest Toso of Esmond, N.D.; and sisters, Hannah Sundby of Camas, Wash., Gilma Karlsbraaten of Esmond and Luella Johnson of Devils Lake, N.D.
She is survived by her son, Ronald J. "Ron" Johnson of Kenai; daughter and son-in-law, Mikel R. and Gene Reierson of Olalla, Wash.; and son and daughter-in-law, Charles L. "Chuck" and Kathy Grimm of Nikiski; grandsons and granddaughters-in-law, Robert J. and Melanie Johnson of Kenai, Brian and Dana Reierson of Yakima, Wash., and Troy and Trista Reierson of Roseville, Calif.; granddaughter, Rona Johnson-Kyrzejeski of Eagle River; grandson, Corey Grimm and granddaughter, Robin Grimm of Kenai; great-grandsons, Robert J. Johnson Jr., Ryan J. Johnson and great-granddaughter, Randi Janel Johnson of Kenai; great-granddaughters, Courtnie and Aubrey Reierson of Yakima; special friends Eva Bransford, Barbara Sharpe and Jeannie Smith; and niece and nephew-in-law Barbara and Neil Rowe, who cared for her when she lived in Ephrata.
Memorials may be sent to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ephrata.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
