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Charles L. Hermens
1921-2003
Former Skagway mayor and postmaster Charles L. Hermens died Nov. 5 in Everett, Wash. He was 82.
Hermens was born in Eldred, Illinois on Aug. 20, 1921.
His wife and daughter moved to Skagway in 1946 and Hermens joined them here after his release from military service in 1948. He worked for the railroad as a bridge and building foreman.
During his approximately 30 years in Skagway, Hermens also co-owned the Skagway Inn and Kellers, which his wife and partner, Virginia Rex McGlasson-Hermens, managed.
Charles Hermens was the local postmaster for many years. He was elected to a three-year term on the City Council in 1956, and served one term as mayor in 1959-60.
The Hermens moved to Washington in the late 1970s but maintained close contact with people in Skagway.
Charles Hermens was preceded in death by his wife Rex in 1989. He is survived by his daughter Sharon and son in-law Dennis Lattery of Chugiak, and granddaughter C. Denise Trutanic and husband of Anchorage.
Sally Polley
1913-2003
Former Skagway and longtime Juneau resident Gertrude “Sally” Karrin Polley, 94, died Nov. 16, 2003, at the Juneau Pioneers Home.
She was born Nov. 22, 1908, in Waukegan, Ill., to Emmi and Edward Waltonnen. The family moved to Ketchikan in 1913, then to Juneau in 1914. She graduated from Juneau High School in 1927 and attended Oregon State College for one year. She then worked for the Alaska Road Commission and the Land Office until her marriage to Clayton “Doc” Polley in 1933. They moved to Skagway and ran a dentist office here until about 1944. They raised two sons, Ernest and Roger. In 1972, Sally and Doc moved to their summer home on Lena Point where they spent their days gardening and entertaining friends.
Her public service began in Skagway with the Women’s Club and the Presbyterian Church Auxiliary. After the family moved to Juneau, she became involved in the American Red Cross and other home service activities. She was a volunteer at the Juneau Health Center for eight years. She was also a Cub Scout den mother, member of Pioneers Auxiliary and active in the Republican Party.
She is survived by grandsons, Mikko (Caro) Polley and Nicholas Polley, both of Juneau; daughters-in-law, Patty Ann Polley of Sparta, N.C., and Karen Polley of Ketchikan; granddaughter-in-law, Kerry Regan of Laguna Beach, Calif.; and great-grandchildren, Myles, Liam, Madison, Kelsey and Colter.
A reception honoring her life was held at the Hangar Ballroom on her 95th birthday, Saturday, Nov. 22. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to a charity of your choice.
Elizabeth “Betty” Herpst
1927-2005
Long-time Skagway resident Betty Herpst died peacefully in her sleep at the Life Care Center of Puyallup in Washington on January 1, 2005 at the age of 77.
Christened Elizabeth Leona Newhall, she was born on April 15, 1927 in Montpelier, VT to her parents, Alvah and Laura Newhall. She attended schools in Middlesex, VT until World War II when her family moved to New Britain, CT to work in the factories as part of the war effort. It was there she met Joseph Herpst. They were married on June 24, 1944. At the end of the war she was reunited with her husband and they moved to Middlesex, VT where they resided until the fall of 1958 when they moved to Marshfield, VT.
She worked at National Life Insurance Company for 15 years and Betty and Joe opened and operated a restaurant, “The Lonely Bull”, in Plainfield, VT for a couple of years before moving their family to Skagway in 1968.
In Skagway she was employed by Cy Coyne and then Gene McNamara at Chilkoot Agencies. She also worked for the Department of Motor Vehicles selling auto license plates and titles for the State of Alaska.
Before arthritis crippled her hands, she was an avid knitter making sweaters for all of her family and friends. She also won many blue ribbons at the Southeast Alaska State Fair with her crocheting.
She was a 50-year member of the Methodist Church in Middlesex, VT.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Dirce and Dennis Spurrier of Skagway, AK; her daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Ron Brown of St. James City, FL; her daughter, Peggy Campbell and her partner, Larry Gotcher of Spanaway, WA; her son Peter Herpst and his partner, Tom Oswald, of Tacoma, WA; her brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Merriam Newhall of Berlin, VT; one niece, two nephews, ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Herpst, in 1992 and her son, Stan Herpst, in 1990 both in Skagway.
A memorial service is planned for June 24, 2005 in Skagway. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Skagway EMS in her memory. – Submitted by the family.
Charles ‘Chuck’ Rapuzzi
1918-2004
Former resident Charles Rapuzzi, 86, died peacefully Nov. 3, at his Seattle home. Rapuzzi was born Sept. 17, 1918, in Skagway. While a young man, he worked as an apprentice machinist on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway.
In 1939 he moved to Seattle to join Boeing, working as a machinist by day and pursuing an engineering degree at night at the Univ. of Washington. At Boeing, he met Arlein Poier of Snohomish, and they were married March 23, 1951. They had two children. He worked at Boeing for 48 years, retiring as a senior executive in 1987.
Survivors are his wife, Arlein; sons, Charles Robert Rapuzzi of Lake Forest Park, Wash., and George Richard Rapuzzi of Anchorage; daughters-in-law, Jenny and Martha; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Robin, Jennifer, James and William; and sister, Betty Johannes of Wasilla. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Lee Rapuzzi, of Skagway.
Bernice H. Meroney
1908-2004
Former Skagway resident Bernice H. Meroney went home to be with the Lord at Sallisaw Memorial Hospital in Oklahoma on Dec. 18, 2004
She was born at Prineville, Ore. on Jan. 17, 1908 to Christopher and Marie Ehret. She was married to Ed Meroney in Pomona, Calif. in 1930. They moved to Montana in 1944 and their union brought four children.
Bernice enjoyed volunteering at Beartooth Manor, reading, gardening, puzzles and painting. She was a faithful member of the Columbus, Mont. Assembly of God as a Sunday School teacher, women’s ministry worker, organist, and pianist.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed; son Don, and son-in-law Eugene Barger. Bernice will be greatly missed by her son, Gilbert and wife Mildred Meroney of Skagway and Columbus; daughters Marilyn Barger of Oklahoma, and Beverly Kisser of Nevada; daughter in-law Beverly Dyck of Montana; 12 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; a brother Leonard Ehret of California; a nephew; two nieces; cousins; and a host of loving friends in Montana, Alaska and Oklahoma.
Funeral services were held Dec. 23, 2004 at Smith Funeral Chapel in Columbus, and interment followed at Mountainview Cemetery.
Miles W. Almon
Skagway resident Miles Worth Almon passed away in Anchorage on Monday, Feb. 21, 2005 of diabetes-related conditions.
Miles was born in Seattle, Wash. on Nov. 29, 1954. His first 10 years were spent in Everett, Wash. he moved to Anchorage with his family in 1965, attending Turnagain Grade School and West Anchorage High School. An adventuresome individual, Miles moved around Alaska quite a bit – starting his working days at Anchorage Multiple Listing Service, spending several seasons on the North Slope, and then many years in Homer with his “A Smile Taxi Company.”
He moved to Skagway in 1994, where he realized that he was finally home. He worked as the friendly bartender, then during the tourist season owned and operated the friendly neighborhood store, The Pill Box, along with his wife Mary and their family of three cats and two dogs.
Miles, Mary and the entire family extend their heartfelt thanks to the entire city of Skagway for their sincere love and assistance during his long illness. Miles returned to Anchorage on Oct. 12 for medical reasons and was looking forward to returning to his home in Skagway. He will be sorely missed by his large, loving family and friends.
Miles is survived by his mother, Vera M. Almon of Anchorage wife and life partner, his beloved Mary Collecchi step-daughter Miranda Collecchi and step-son Kyle Collecchi; brothers and families of William F. and Joanne Almon, Craig, Lisa, Anne and Seth; William C. Almon of Yakima, Wash.; James W. and Karen Almon, and Ashley of Seattle; sister Barbara Ingram and son Paul of Anchorage; uncle Clifton Parshall and family of Centralia, Wash., aunt Lucille Parshall and family of Seattle; aunt Dorothy Parshall and family of Seattle; aunt Jessie Bruce and daughter Sandra Stevens of Tacoma; and an enormous extended family throughout Alaska.
Services were held at the South Church of Christ in Anchorage on Saturday, Feb. 26, and a reception followed. A memorial service will be planned for his Skagway family when his wife returns home.
Jureen A. Denison
1928-2005
On Monday, June 27, 2005 in Sterling, Colo., Jureen A. Denison aged 76 passed from this world to the loving arms of the Lord after a brief illness.
She was born on Sept. 26, 1928 in West Topsham, Vermont, the daughter of Calvin J. Colby and Hazel Bell Hood.
On Aug. 15, 1947 she married Laurence J. Denison in Washington, Vermont.
In 1966 they moved to Skagway, where Laurence worked on the White Pass and Yukon Route railroad, retiring to Sterling in 1978.
She graduated from Bradford Academy in 1946. She was a homemaker, chambermaid, librarian, and organist. She was very gifted in many areas, an avid crossword puzzle solver, gardening flowers and vegetables and organist for the First Assembly of God church in Sterling.
She leaves a set of twins, Alan George Denison and wife Lacy, Washington and Ellen Marie Dunkling and husband of Graniteville, Verm.; two grandchildren, Elaine and Pamela and their spouses along with one great-grandchild Noah, all living in Alabama. Also devoted to Jureen is Madine Bitcon and husband Doug of Cripple Creek, Colo. who cared for her during her illness.
Laurence passed away January 23, 1999, Calvin in August of 1980 and Hazel in 1949.
A celebration of life was held July 1 at the First Assembly of God church in Sterling; burial followed in the West Topsham Cemetery. Contributions to be made to the Gideons International or Building Fund of the First Assembly of God church in Sterling.
Allene Rohlf
1926-2005
Skagway resident Allene Rohlf, 79, died unexpectedly in her sleep during the morning hours of July 7, 2005.
Rohlf had lived in Skagway for more than 30 years. She was a former director of the Skagway City Museum.
Her husband Chris said that at Allene’s request, there will be no service, nor an obituary.
Clair Litzenberger
1922-2006
Former Skagway resident Clair Litzenberger, born in Endicott, Wash. on March 24, 1922, passed away on April 9, 2006 at his home in Mesa, Ariz.
Clair was a long time resident of Skagway. He moved here from Spokane, Wash. in 1948. Clair was an engineer on the White Pass & Yukon Railroad and would always be remembered as the engineer wearing the Dodgers baseball cap.
He retired in 1986 and moved to Phoenix, Ariz. He was preceded in death by his first wife Lillian.
Clair is survived by his wife, June Litzenberger of Mesa; son, Dave Banks of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho; brother, George Litzenberger of Spokane; and cousin and friend, Ray Litzenberger of Mesa. A service is planned in Rockford, Wash.
Danny Kalen
October 9, 1947 - March 31, 2006
Baby brother or big brother depending on which sister you talk to, youngest son, uncle, father, beloved grandpa, pard/friend; Danny Edward Kalen was all of these and more. Danny passed away late Friday afternoon, March 31, at his home in Juneau. He was diagnosed with and treated for both lung and brain cancer 10 years ago in 1996 at the Veteran’s Hospital in Seattle. The brain tumor caused irreparable nerve damage and, much to his disgust, Danny found himself in early retirement.
Danny was born in Skagway, October 9, 1947 to Edward J. and Barbara Dedman Kalenkosky. “Kal” was an army sergeant from Pennsylvania stationed in Skagway during the 2nd World War. The Dedman family were Skagway pioneers, Danny’s great-grandparents, George and Clara Dedman, arrived in 1898. Their son, Henry, was born in Skagway in 1899. Henry married Bessie White, a schoolteacher from Florida, and then along came Barbara. Kal and Barbara had four children. Danny was the third in line.
Little Kalen, Bigham, Boynton and Mason kids shared their First Communion under the severe tutelage of Sister Mary Joseph at the Pius X Mission. Danny and Patrick, with their buddy, Charley Mason, made sure she didn’t suffer any dull moments in life. I remember a rare calm winter day when we woke up to 12-14’ of snow on the ground. Danny and Charley, in kindergarten, decided the snow was too deep to walk all the way up to the Mission School so they spent the morning playing in an empty lot just out of sight of the parents. They swore it was worth the lickings they got. Danny was a cute little rascal who turned out to be one of the best baby-sitters in town as he approached his high school years, getting more jobs than his sisters did.
Danny graduated from East High School in Anchorage, and then joined the Army. On his return to Skagway he worked for the City Public Works Department and served a term on the city council while he was in his twenties, one of the youngest members ever elected. He shifted to the engine service after doing the requisite gandy dancing on the WP&YR, and managed to win the spike driving contest one fine 4th of July. When the WP&YR closed for several years during the 80s he moved to Fairbanks to work for the Alaska RR. Danny’s last and favorite job was working for the Alaska Highway Dept. in Juneau where he lived the last 15 years.
Before the nerve damage, he was a good rifleman, pool shark, pinochle player and guitarist. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and even berry picking on occasion, claiming the best berry patches were around Hoonah. In recent years Danny could generally be found at the Triangle in Juneau with his cribbage and pinochle cronies. An avid reader all his life, afternoons would be spent with a good book.
Danny is survived by his mother, Barbara Kalen, siblings, Betsy Albecker of Skagway, Patrick and Barbie Kalen of Fairbanks, his daughter, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Mary Dejnozka and his grandchildren, Matthew and Alison, of Anchorage, nephews, Dale Albecker of Oklahoma and Karl Kalen of Seattle and niece, Averill Harp of Skagway. Last but not least, his lent time companion, Bernice Donnelly of Juneau. At his request there will be no public service. A private memorial service was held at the Juneau Elks Lodge on April 6.
Contributions to your favorite cancer charity in his name are welcome.
Chris A. Rohlf
1919-2006
Christopher August Rohlf, 86, of Skagway, Alaska, died unexpectedly on Saturday, May 5, 2006, in Minneapolis, Minn.
Chris was born on June 23, 1919 in Laporte, Minn. to Adolph and Mary (Gianera) Rohlf. He grew up and attended school in Laporte; then was drafted into the Army. His first assignment was with the 375th Port Battalion in Skagway. He was transferred south to the lower states for basic training before sailing to Europe in August of 1944. He served in England, France and Belgium until discharge in November of 1945.
He returned to Laporte to live for a short time before again heading north to Skagway in 1947, where he remained for the rest of his life. He was a foreman and member of the Skagway longshore crew, working on the docks until his retirement in 1983.
He was married for 23 years to Allene (Roberts), from whom he was widowed in 2005. He loved his work but found time to serve on the Skagway City Council for 13 years, cared for dozens of wild rabbits, and significantly helped the environment by scavenging dumps. He is fondly remembered as a man who sincerely and passionately enjoyed working and led an interesting and entertaining life.
He is survived by brothers, Charlie (Virginia), Cecil (Darlene), and Marvin Rohlf; sisters, "Libby" Elizabeth Kittilson and Beulah Nyberg; and by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Allene; one daughter, Mary Louise; one brother, Ernie Rohlf, and one sister, Annie Ott.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 27, 2006 at the Thomas-Dennis Funeral Home in Walker, Minn. A luncheon will follow at the Walker American Legion. Interment will be in the Lakeport Cemetery in Laporte. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to charities of choice.
Arrangements are being handled by Thomas-Dennis Funeral Home of Walker (218-547-1112).
