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Loveda Hobbs
1918-2003
Kenai resident Loveda Louise Hobbs died Friday, May 9 at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna. She was 84.
Funeral services and viewing were held Thursday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Kenai Chapel, followed by burial at the Kenai City Cemetery.
Mrs. Hobbs was born May 28, 1918 in Dougherty, Okla. She moved to Alaska in 1957. She had lived in Homer and Skagway before moving to Kenai. She was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She also enjoyed quilting, art, geneology, travel and was a beginning writer.
“Loveda, lovingly called Granny, was a very stubborn and strong willed lady, but was a very gentle, kind and giving person, not only of herself but of all her resources. She homesteaded 160 acres in Homer, starting in 1958 and lived on the Kenai Peninsula most of the time since. She was very active in her church and was always a missionary of faith. We will all miss her very much, ” her family said.
Mrs. Hobbs was preceded in death by a her husband, Victor Hobbs and three brother. She is survived by her sons, Carl Hoover of Skagway, James Hoover of Nikiski, and Ray Hoover of Pointe, Texas; daughter, Gail Flynn of Alder Brook, Wash.; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Margaret Easson of Enid, Okla. – Submitted by Peninsula Memorial Chapel for the family.
Sandy Grunow, Lynne Ruff
Memorial services for Sandy Grunow, owner of Sgt. Preston’s Lodge, will be held on May 24 in Whitehorse and on May 31 in Skagway.
Grunow succumbed to cancer on June 4 after a nine-month battle with the illness. A complete obituary will appear in the May 30 edition.
Services for Grunow, who was well known in the Yukon – Watson Lake was her home for many years – as well as Skagway, will be held on Saturday, May 24 at 2 p.m. at Mt. MacIntyre Center in Whitehorse, and on Saturday, May 31 at 4 p.m. at the Eagles Hall in Skagway. A pot luck will follow.
Services also have been planned for May 24 in Skagway for the late Lynne Ruff, a beloved Skagway elementary teacher who died on Dec. 7, 2002 after a short illness at her winter home in Arizona.
The family decided to have services in Skagway after they returned in May. Mrs. Ruff’s memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 24 at the WP&YR rail depot.
Marvin Alvin Knorr Sr.
1913-2003
Marvin Knorr of Skagway died in Juneau on Aug. 4. He was 89. He was born in Beaver Dam, Wis., to Alvin and Mabel Knorr.
In 1938, he was working as a fish and game warden for the state of Wisconsin when he came to Alaska with friends to go fishing.
He decided to live in Ketchikan, bought a fishing boat and decided to fish commercially. He was drafted into the Army and joined in Anchorage. After doing one hitch as a private, he was promoted to sergeant. He continued to serve in the Air, Sea & Rescue. After the Army, he moved to Juneau. He bought a second boat and, after fishing for a while, he leased both boats and went to work for Gross Theaters and Apartments.
Marvin and Inez met in Juneau and married in 1951, and moved to Skagway soon after. In Skagway, he went to work for the City of Skagway as an equipment operator, then as a Police officer, and for White Pass & Yukon Route as a welder.
He enjoyed teaching young people firearms safety and loved to fish and hunt. He and Inez traveled extensively and he always said he never traveled to any place that was prettier than Alaska. He lived in Alaska for 65 years.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Inez; sons Bill Hall of Corpus Christi, Marvin Knorr Jr. of Edgewood, Ky., Mark Knorr of Folsom, Calif., Keith Knorr of Skagway, and 11 grandchildren.
Robert J. ‘Bob’ Selmer
1924-2003
Born April 17, 1924 in Skagway. Affectionately nicknamed “Baba” by one of his six great grandkids. Was known for his great sense of humor and quick wit. His smile lit up a room!
Bob Selmer was the youngest of 8 kids that all proceeded him in death. Pauline, Birdie, Virginia, Louis, Oscar Jr, Occie & Victor. He was lovingly devoted to mother Paula, and father Oscar Sr. Bob’s fondest memories were the family get togethers and Lake Bennett picnics. He enjoyed sports; basketball, baseball and ice hockey. One of Bob’s sports highlights was defeating Juneau in the 1942 High School Basketball Championship. Bob was employed by the WP&YR in the auditor’s office. He proudly served in the Army as a corporal, received a Good Conduct Medal, and World War II Victory Medal, along with others.
Bob moved to Bainbridge Island, Washington in 1952, and cherished the 40 years spent there with his wife Alice. They went on many walks hand-in-hand, and picnics on the beach. He enjoyed the simple things in life with son Louis, and grandkids Dean, Michelle Hogg, and Lisa Steilen. There was nothing he would not do for you. Alice and Bob moved to Kirkland 11 years ago to be closer to family.
Even when faced with Alzheimer’s he continued to bring magic to peoples lives. During one of the toughest times of the disease, we had a stranger tell us, Bob was the “happiest person he ever met.” He continued to spread joy to those that took care of him, dancing and humming his favorite tunes.
Bob graduated from Washington State University, and had a long career as an accountant. He passed away on Nov. 15, 2003. Service with military honors at Tahoma National Cemetery on Dec. 12, 2003. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Association or the Children’s Orthopedic Hospital.
Bob’s nine-year-old great granddaughter wrote: “ I like it when my Grampa liked to sing, he had a good voice when he sang. He enjoyed singing, dancing, playing with his grandchildren, and most of all being on earth with us and his family. I loved my Grandpa because he loved us and pleased us. e was my favorite Grandpa in the whole world.”– Submitted by the family
William ‘Bill’ Bigham
1923-2003
Homer resident, William “Bill” Barton Bigham, 80, died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003 after a long illness at the Fern Ridge TLC, Assisted Living Home in Homer.
Memorial services were held Dec. 9, 2003 at the Homer Elk’s Lodge #2127. Bill’s ashes will be scattered in the Kachemak Bay.
Bill was born February 8, 1923 in Hyder, Alaska. No school existed in Hyder so he went back and forth across the border to attended school in Stewart, British Columbia. Bill had lived in Juneau for a short time when his parents moved there. He then entered into the United States Coast Guard July 29, 1943 until he received his honorable discharge on Nov. 30, 1945. Bill had lived in Skagway, working for the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad from 1946 through 1965. He had also owned and operated Bing’s Cafe while he resided there.
Bill moved to Anchorage and Fairbanks and worked for the Alaska Railroad Company from 1966 to 1985. After retiring, he moved to Homer where he resided until his death.
Bill was a life member and Past Exalted Ruler of the Elk’s Lodge in Skagway and a member of the American Legion and the Pioneers of Alaska. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, gardening and cooking.
The family wrote, “Called “Bing” by his Skagway cronies, dad was an avid bowler. He also had a love of cooking, which he inherited from his dad. He was very particular about how food was prepared and served. Bill and his wife Bonnie, who previously owned the House of Flowers in Fairbanks, enjoyed fishing and picking berries. They took many trips in their motor home and added their bounty to the large pantry they had. They also had a large vegetable garden, plants and flowers everywhere. Dad will be greatly missed by his family and special friends Ron and Anna Creasey and family.”
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife, Bonnie. He is survived by his son and daughter in-law, Bill Jr. & Marilyn Bigham of Markle, IN; daughter, Donna Everson of Greenwater, WA; daughter and son in-law, Arlene & Dave Fry of Markle, IN; daughter, Lois Bigham of St. Joe, IN; first wife and mother of his children, Linda Bigham of Skagway; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choosing. Arrangements cared for by the Homer Funeral Home.
Duaine Johnson
1934-2003
Duaine Earl Johnson died November 29, 2003, of injuries sustained while operating excavating equipment on the island of Kodiak, Alaska.
Duaine was born to parents Earl and Lucille Johnson of Fonda, Iowa, July 22, 1934. He was lured to Alaska with wife Mable and firstborn son by Skagway residents Chuck and Helen Clark. Chuck was Duaine’s uncle and participated in the construction of the Alcan Highway during the war. Helen was the daughter of a ‘98 miner that remained in Skagway after the Klondike Gold Rush. An additional son and daughter were born to Duaine and Mable in Skagway. Duaine and family lived in Sitka during the ‘64 quake and entertained friends in their Swan Lake home in anticipation of the tsunami that never arrived. Recently divorced, Duaine moved to the Kenai Peninsula in 1965 and then on to Kodiak in 1983. Duaine worked as carpenter, electrician, and excavator. He dabbled in several business ventures ranging from taxi service to laundry and dry cleaning to water well drilling and earth moving. He was self employed for the majority of his adult life. Most noted for his relentless work ethic, Duaine had a tremendous love of Alaska. He talked up Alaska to “outsiders” at any given opportunity. He enticed his adult sons as well as two of his 13 siblings into taking up residency in this great state.
Duaine is survived by his mother Lucille Johnson of Wallingford, Iowa; sons and daughters in law, Dwight and Lenoria Johnson and Wayne and Peggy Johnson of Soldotna, Alaska; daughter and son in law, Erleen and Jeff Mefford of Pomeroy, Iowa; sisters and brothers in law, Elaine and Ron Rustad and Sharon and Lyle Jones of Kenai and Wasilla, Alaska; eight grand children and eight additional brothers and sisters.
A memorial service was held in Kenai/Soldotna on Dec. 10 at the Eagles Club. Mr. Johnson’s cremated remains will be scattered on Mt. Redoubt by his sons.
Jennifer ‘Jenny’ Lee Raphael Sinka Andrews
1984-2004
Jennifer “Jenny” Lee Raphael Sinka Andrews died on March 13 at approximately 6:15 a.m. in Ann Arbor, Mich. Born March 22, 1984, in Nome, Alaska, she was just shy of 20 when she died unexpectedly.
The length of her name reflects the journey her life took in search of a safe home and a loving family. She found that briefly when she was almost a year old in the foster care of Frank Wasmer and Nancy Schave when they lived in Nome.
“When she was taken from us, she was termed ‘gifted, ’” Nancy said. “She was the sweetest little kid.”
Jenny’s search began anew at four-and-a-half when a state agency transferred her to other foster homes, until she was adopted at seven by an elderly couple, Joseph and Agatha Sinka, who died four years later. Several years after their death, her biological mother Matilda Acoman also died.
Throughout her life, she was closely cared for by her sister, Lisa Marie Acoman Hunt. Jenny was a devoted aunt to Lisa’s daughter, Dainean Teeluk.
In 1999, Jenny was reunited with Frank and Nancy after they found she was in Sitka. They were finally allowed to adopt her.
Jenny attended Skagway High School, graduating in 2003. She was a cadet with the Skagway Volunteer Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Team for three years, and was active in a number of athletic activities at school.
“She was swimming at one-and-a-half, and at three, she was fearless diving off the high board, ” recalled Frank. “She liked to sit on my arm and fish.”
Jenny worked summers at the National Park Service, Diamonds International, Westmark, and Moose on the Loose, where she learned she loved sales.
“She could sell anything to anyone, ” said Nancy.
At the time of her death, she was enrolled at Adrian College in Ann Arbor, Mich. A gifted writer, she was looking at writing as a profession.
Several of the couple’s 21 foster children consider Jenny a “sibling of affinity, ” a term Nancy coined for the members of the widely extended family created over the years.
“She was always smiling and happy to see us, ” said Melanie Johnston, Frank’s biological daughter, who traveled to Skagway for the memorial service held on March 20 at the Presbyterian Church.
Memorial services were also held at the two rehab programs Jenny had attended in the Lower 48.
Ole Slettevold
1920-2004
Former Skagway resident Ole A. Slettevold, 83, died March 17, 2004 at his home in Cle Elum, Wash.
Ole was born Sept. 1, 1920 in Oklee, Minn. After graduating from high school he served in the U.S. Navy. Ole was a carpenter and a member of the Eagles, Carpenter’s Union, and VFW. Ole enjoyed wood-working in his spare time.
In Skagway he was known as a kind and generous man, always willing to help anyone and give a leg up to a person starting out. He was a building contractor in Skagway for many years. Concerned about affordable housing, he built many homes around town.
He built the Nugget Lodge apartment complex, the Klothes Rush/Kone Kompany building, and the Gold Rush Lodge, and worked on many other projects.
He was full of the entrepreneurial spirit and started many businesses while in Skagway, truly a man ahead of his time. Ole and Bette Slettevold started the Klothes Rush Laundry and dry cleaners in a home style setting. They ran an artists co-op where many of the artists in town started out. And he had Ole’s Fish and Chips on Fifth, as well as helping to run the Fifth Ave. Bunkhouse and showers for hikers.
Ole had an active mind and was always curious on how to do new things. He was proud of his Norwegian heritage and imprinted on the minds of Skagway residents is his smiling face as he cooked lefsa at Christmas time in the corner of the laundromat for anyone who wanted it.
Ask an old time resident of Skagway, “What did Ole do to help you?” and you will get replies to attest to a life well-lived, as he cared for and served others.
Ole was preceded in death by his wife Bette in 1999. He is survived by his two sons, John and wife Dina of Soap Lake, Wash, and Bill and wife Cindy of LaConner, Wash. As well as six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at the Cle Elum Eagles Club on March 24. Cascade Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.
Gerald L. Pennington
1929-2004
There were three loves in Gerry Pennington’s life – family, flying and Alaska.
Pennington died July 3 in Nevada after a long battle with cancer. He had just celebrated his 75th birthday on June 20.
Gerry was a devoted loving husband to Irene for 43 years, the proud father of four children – Carol, Gerry, Laurie and Loretta. He is the proud grandfather to nine grandchildren, Erin, Denim, Justin, Leann, Joshua, Rasik, Farah, Jordan and Leilani. He traveled always to spend time with each of his children and grandchildren. His most recent trip was to see granddaughter, Leilani, graduate from college and see grandson, Justin, graduate from high school. Now he’ll be watching over them all as a citizen from heaven.
Flying was his main passion for more than 50 years, until he got Alaska under his skin. He regretted not listening to the adventures his father told of his experience in the Klondike Gold Rush. It wasn’t until 1981 during his trip to Skagway with his brother, Leroy and two sisters, Naomi and Wini, that he felt his true calling from Alaska. That led him to begin gathering information for his 1997 book, “Klondike Stampeder Register”.
Gerry founded a non-profit organization, Klondike Stampeders Relative Association, to bring together relatives of the 1897-99 gold rush. Annually he made the trek, by motor home, from Las Vegas to Skagway to spend the summers in a town he truly loved. He was one of Skagway’s reresentatives on the “Ton of Gold” reenactment cruise to Seattle in 1997, and spoke at the banquet here on the life of his stampeder father, Fred Pennington.
September 2004 he was to take his place as the elected President of the International Sourdough Reunion, an organization he was proud to be a part of. He also was a member of Skagway Aerie No. 25 of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
No one was a stranger long once they crossed paths with Gerry. He managed to make friends wherever he went. He loved flying, and anything to do with airplanes, browsing bookstores looking for old books on Alaska, surfing the web, watching old Westerns, M*A*S*H and English comedies.
One of the last things he mentioned to us all was that he was reflecting on his life and that he had a “good life” and that he wanted to “go home to heaven.”
In lieu of flowers ... it is our wishes that donations in his name are made to: Fund 80512 “Sourdough Reunion Memorial Scholarship” and mailed to: Office of Development (Attn: Donor Relations Manager), University of Alaska, PO Box 755060, Fairbanks AK 99775-5060.
The sender should indicate that the donation is in memory of Gerald L. Pennington and ask that his family be notified by mail at: 1651 Stephen Burnet Ct., Las Vegas, NV 89102.
Services are scheduled for Friday in Live Oak, Calif.
