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Evan Michael Sweatt
Evan Michael Sweatt, infant son of Kevin and Kelli Sweatt of Soldotna, was born and died Friday, March 15, 2002, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
A funeral Mass was held March 20 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Two Harbors, Minn.
"Evan will be forever in our hearts, " his family said.
He is survived by his parents; sister, Emily Sweatt; grandparents, Judy and Ron Anderson of Two Harbors and Barbara Faile of High Point, N.C.; aunts and uncles Kerri and Joel Nelson of Soldotna, Steve and Kim Graden of Minnesota, Ken and Steph Anderson of Minnesota, Scott and Mishelle Tomaso of North Carolina, Tony and Denise Tomaso of North Carolina and Alan and Wendy Tomaso of Massachusetts; and many cousins.
Adam David Knudsen
Kenai resident Adam David Knudsen died Tuesday, March 26, 2002, in Salt Lake City as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident. He was 21.
A celebration of Mr. Knudsen's life will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Kenai Christian Church.
He was born May 15, 1980, in Englewood, Colo., and moved to Kenai with his family at the age of 10 months. He graduated from Nikiski Middle-Senior High School in 1998 and was in his fourth year of college studying electrical engineering at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
He enjoyed woodworking, hockey, astronomy and spending time with family and friends.
"Adam had a wonderful curiosity of life, " his family said.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Pat and Ethel Gearhart.
He is survived by his parents, Susie and David Knudsen of Kenai; his brother, sister-in-law and nephew, Mark, Heather and Jordan Knudsen; grandparents, Richard and Lorna Knudsen; many aunts, uncles and cousins; Amanda Hutchings and lifelong friends Travis Lehl and Justin Mullins.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Adam Knudsen Memorial Fund at the Kenai Wells Fargo Bank.
Isabella Ladybug LaRoche
Isabella Ladybug LaRoche, infant daughter of Dennis and Anna LaRoche, died Sunday, March 31, 2002, at home in Sterling. She was 2 days old.
A memorial mass will be held 3 p.m. Saturday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Soldotna. Father Richard Tero will officiate. Her ashes will be buried on the LaRoche homestead in Sterling.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Candace 'Candy' J. Biesecker
Lifelong Alaskan Candace "Candy" J. Biesecker died Saturday, April 6, 2002, peacefully at home from complications of multiple sclerosis. She was 50.
A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Kenai Masonic Lodge in Soldotna. Pastor Alan Humphries will officiate. Burial will be in the Cooper Landing Cemetery when the swallows return.
Mrs. Biesecker came to Alaska in 1954, when she was 3, and homesteaded with her family in Cooper Landing. She graduated from Kenai Central High School in 1970 and was valedictorian of her Kenai Peninsula Community College graduating class in 1985. She was employed by the Log Cabin Gift Shop, Kenai Peninsula Borough and Enstar. She also helped her husband, Ed, start their business.
"The loves of her life were her family, friends and special companions who assisted, helped and loved her through the years. She faithfully anticipated and waited for the first tulips to pop through the frozen ground and the return of the swallows were her joys of spring, " her family said.
Mrs. Biesecker was active for many years in the Tugi Club; Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America and was a past president.
Mrs. Biesecker was preceded in death by her brother, Tom.
She is survived by her husband, Ed; son, Trevor and his fiancee, Treena Schmidt; parents, John and Dorthy Ingram; brother, John; stepdaughters, Terri and Lori; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be donated to the Alaska Shrine Temple, Travel Fund, 1930 E. Northern Lights Blvd., Anchorage, AK 99508.
Arrangement were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Jennie Malchoff
Port Graham resident Jennie Malchoff died Monday, March 25, 2002, at South Peninsula Hospital Long Term Care in Homer. She was 69.
Funeral services were held March 29 at St. Hermans Russian Orthodox Church in Port Graham. Burial was in the church cemetery. Father Sergie Active officiated. Dale Malchoff was the cross bearer for the service. Pallbearers were Nick Moonin, Herman Moonin, Gary Malchoff, Paul Selanoff, Charles Selanoff and Patrick Selanoff.
Ms. Malchoff was born Jan. 1, 1933, in Seldovia. She was raised and spent her whole life in Port Graham. She worked as a seasonal cannery worker in Port Graham, Windy Bay, Cordova and Uganik Bay. She retired in 1999.
She was a member of the Orthodox Church of America. She enjoyed skin sewing, beading, crocheting and knitting.
"Her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and friends loved her dearly. She entertained family and friends with her wholesome understanding, humor and love for cooking. She vacationed in the Prince William Sound during the summers with her daughter and grandchildren, " her family said.
"Jennie, a single mother, raised three children with her employment as a seasonal cannery worker. She was knowledgeable of the traditional plants and herbs. She spent her summers gathering, processing, preparing and storing traditional foods she was taught by her elders. Jennie's belief in God and her support for the Orthodox Church of America gave her great comfort and strength throughout her life.
"Jennie was a little woman who made a big difference in the lives of many who came into contact with her."
Ms. Malchoff is survived by her children, Melvin and Gary Malchoff and Diane Selanoff; grandchildren, Alta, Alicia, Sabrina and Justin Malchoff, Bonita and Ricky Jager and Charles, Patrick, Joshua and Chelsea Selanoff; and nieces and nephews, Martha Wallin, Nick, Charlie, Ephim, Herman Jr. and Ralph Moonin, Elsie Prout, Violet Yeaton, Lorine, Tessie, Clifford, Albert and Ron Young, Phyllis Gil, Diane Olsen, Jerry Hanson and Dale, Darlene, David and Donna Malchoff.
Arrangements were made by Homer Funeral Home.
Daniel Richard Baines
Daniel Richard Baines died Saturday, April 6, 2002, at the Red Dog Mine near Kotzebue. He was 47.
A funeral service will be held Sunday in Seldovia, where his wife, Della, is buried.
Mr. Baines was born Dec. 29, 1954, in Ketchikan and grew up in Sitka. He graduated from Sitka High School in 1973. He worked on the trans-Alaska oil pipeline, at the Sitka pulp mill and in various commercial fishing positions throughout Alaska. He was employed as a truck driver at the Red Dog Mine at the time of his death. He also held a U.S. Coast Guard captain's license.
Mr. Baines loved to hunt and fish with his father and brothers, do outdoor activities with his two sons, bring his kids traveling to see new places and have lots of fun.
"Danny is greatly remembered for his quiet strength and passion for life, and for a great love for his family; he dedicated his life to serving his family. In the hearts of all who knew him, his memory lives, his love endures. Danny will be missed, always be loved, and certainly remembered for the many years of happiness he brought to his family.
"Some say that you can judge a man by how many people call him their friend. If that's the case, then Danny was a very big man. He was known and loved by many who were able to celebrate life right along with him -- in sports, in business and with family, " his family said.
Mr. Baines was preceded in death by his wife, Della Baines; father, Conrad Baines Sr.; and his brother, Conrad Baines Jr.
He is survived by his two sons, Dustin and Darin of Seldovia; his mother, Velma Baines of Sitka; brothers, Ronald Baines of Seattle, Frank Baines of Anchorage, Terry Baines of Juneau, Michael Baines of Sitka, and Robert Baines of Sitka; sisters, Betty Baines and Barbara Baines of Sitka; mother- and father-in-law, Rod and Sunni Hilts of Seldovia; and numerous nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Emma 'Jo' Godes
Longtime Soldotna resident Emma "Jo" Godes died Sunday, April 14, 2002, at Heritage Place Nursing Home in Soldotna. She was 70.
A memorial Mass will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Soldotna. Father Richard Tero will officiate.
Arrangements are pending with Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Dan R. Marsters
Sterling resident Dan R. Marsters died Friday, April 12, 2002, at his home in Sterling. He was 27.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday at Abundant Life Assembly of God Church in Sterling. Pastor Bob Reasner will officiate.
Mr. Marsters was born April 25, 1974, in Susanville, Calif., at Lassen Memorial Hospital. He moved to Sterling in 1983. He had been an Alaska resident for 19 years, going to school in Soldotna and Sterling. He also was a member of the first Skyview High School football team. He was employed by Fairweather and worked as a mechanic for Enviroblast, APC and CIP and as a firefighter for the Division of Forestry.
"Dan loved fire fighting, hunting and fishing. He spent many hours with family and friends talking and visiting over coffee. He also spent many hours canoeing on the Moose River and fishing the Kenai and Kasilof rivers, " his family said.
"In winter, he spent a lot of time cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, but the No. 1 thing was his love for his family. People who really knew Dan knew he was the type of person who would do anything to help out a family, friend or stranger, regardless of what they needed or wanted him to do for them.
"Dan spent many hours helping work on friends' vehicles. He was always there for his family when needed and spent many hours visiting family in the hospital. Dan is a wonderful man who is loved deeply and will be missed by friends and family alike. He will be in our hearts forever."
Mr. Marsters is survived by his parents, Everett "Larry" and Brenda Marsters of Sterling; twin brother, Don of Kenai; brothers Bart of Umatilla, Ore., Blake, Brett and Brian of Herlong, Calif., Buck of Aurora, Colo., and Monti of Seattle; sister, Kimberly Sellers of Thornton, Colo.; and several nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Trevor Kern
1977-2002
Trevor Kern passed away Jan. 18, 2002 from results of a swimming accident in St. Thomas Virgin Island. The family was able to fly Trevor home and he died at St. Joseph’s Hospital, the same hospital where he was born.
In his short 25 years, Trevor traveled extensively, and touched many lives. His radiant smile and sense of humor were contagious and his zest for life unmatched.
A Memorial Service was held Monday at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Maplewood, Minn. Another will be held in Lincoln, Neb., and at a later date this Spring in Skagway. Because
Trevor was loved by so many, his ashes will be scattered at each location.
Friends in Skagway gathered together at the Eagles Hall last Saturday night to remember him. Trevor worked last summer as a bartender at the Red Onion Saloon.
Trevor is in Heaven in the arms of his grandparents, Ray & Grace Moran. He will be sadly missed by parents, Melissa & Bob; step-mother, Linda; and sister, Jacy of Lincoln, Neb.
Other family members include grandparents, Don and Sis Kern; and Minnie and Pat McMonigal; many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins; and his extended family in Skagway, and special friend, Andi. In addition to his family, Trevor will be missed by all who knew him. Memorials can be sent in care of Linda Swanberg, 1380 Sigfrid St., Eagan MN 55122 or to the
Cremation Society, (612) 825-2435.
Elma K. McMillen
1909-2002
Elma Kyle McMillen was born on May 31, 1909 in Thornefield, Mo. to Dr. Ernest Kyle and Kitty Blankenship Kyle. Losing her father when she was nine years old, she and her four younger siblings were reared by their mother.
Elma displayed an early propensity toward teaching, even doing substitute teaching while in high school. After completing her formal education, Elma taught 30 years in the Missouri school system, retiring in 1960.
Moving from Missouri. in 1960, Elma began a new adventure by continuing her career in Alaska. Friends Waneta Coring and Connie Conard invited her to share a home with them until she taught in the Skagway Public School. Elma did that until 1981 when she retired for the second time. Waneta and Connie also retired at that time.
During her time in Skagway, Elma was voted teacher of the year numerous times. She served as past president of Eagles Auxiliary and Worthy Matron of Eastern Star. Elma held several offices at the First Presbyterian Church including deacon, trustee and member of the session. She was chairman of committees for city projects when financial help was needed for the Skagway City Library, Medical Clinic and the School. She was honored for her community service with the Helen B. Clark Award in 1991.
Elma is survived by her son Robert Ross of Harlingen, Texas, five grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. She died on December 10, 2002, in Whitehorse General Hospital, Canada.
A memorial service was held in her honor on December 14 at the Skagway Public School in the Elma McMillen Room. Burial was in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Springfield, Mo. on December 21.
She is deeply missed by her family, friends, former students, and dear friend Connie Conard.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elma McMillen Scholarship Fund at Wells Fargo Bank Alaska.
