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Ralph Fuller
1949-2007
Loving husband, father and brother, Ralph Leslie Fuller, died on August 2, 2007 in Skagway.
Ralph was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on November 10, 1949, and lived in Big Lake, Alaska. Ralph also lived in Ketchikan, Haines, Juneau and Eagle River over the years, and was owner of Mechanical Piping Contractors for 28 years.
Ralph is survived by his loving wife, Shannon Fuller, his four daughters, Morgan Butler, Bria Butler, Amber Felts, and Namisha Felts, his brother Allen Fuller, nephew Nathan Prince, and his dogs, Berni and Goldie.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Roger and Gaynelle, and his brother-in-law, Kirt Butler.
Ralph loved fishing, hunting and spending time with his family.
According to his family, “Ralph always put a smile on the faces of the people that understood the value in his practical joke humor. He was a kind, loving and generous person and his shining face will surely be missed. All the time spent with Ralph was truly a blessing. We love you honey.”
Memorial donations should be made to the American Lung Cancer Association and Breast Cancer Awareness.
Those in Skagway who knew Ralph said they would miss him greatly.
Ada Blodwen Reed
1914-2007
Ada Blodwen Reed was born in March of 1914 in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, where her parents and older brother had emigrated to from Wales. Blodwen first came to Skagway on the Canadian Pacific Railroad ships working as part of the crew as a news agent in the late 1940s. Her favorite ships were the Princess Patricia and Kathleen. She met Morgan Reed during one of these sailings into Skagway. Morgan had come to Skagway during the war to work on the Alaskan-Canadian Highway, where he purchased the Igloo bar.
Blodwen married Morgan in September of 1949 in a chapel on Lake Washington in Seattle. Morgan put her to work in the bar and liquor store and then purchased a bakery for her to run also - she often commented on the fact that he liked to buy but not work the businesses - he left that to her. When she and Morgan sold the bakery and then later the bar, they turned their interests to real estate. They built the Mountain View apartments in the 1970s. When Morgan passed away in 1988 Blodwen ran the business until her reluctant retirement at age 90. She missed taking care of her tenants and visiting with them.
Blodwen passed away April 20 in Mesa, Ariz. at the age of 93. She is survived by her three sons John, Allan (and daughter-in-law Sue) and Glenn, all of Skagway; stepson Bill (wife Theresa) of Fairbanks; step grandson Morgan (wife Alexandra and daughter Anwen); stepson Ken (wife Carlie) of Toronto; step granddaughters Morgan and Madison, plus family in Canada and many friends here and in Arizona.
She loved to tell folk stories of working on the CPR ships and of her early days in Skagway. She loved her home at Long Bay and having folks stop to visit with her whether she knew them or not. She enjoyed going to Senior Lunch and was a big supporter of it. She hated giving up driving, which she did until the age of 90. It often looked like her little beige Chevette was driving itself down the road - until you could see a small pair of hands at the wheel and the top of a white-haired head. This was only visible because she sat on pillows. She truly had the pioneer spirit that Alaskans are so well known for - she became a U.S. citizen and was truly the woman behind the man when Morgan began and continued his political career as city councilman, Mayor of Skagway (repeated), state legislator, and administrative judge. They were a good match. She will be missed.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 2 at 1 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church.
Charlene M. Matthews
1973-2007
Charlene M. Matthews, 33, died March 26, 2007, at Providence St. Vincent Hospital in Portland, Ore., from complications associated with a recently diagnosed neurological disease.
“Wrapped in the arms of her family, Charlene left this life surrounded in the love of those near and far, who hold her in their hearts, ” her family wrote.
A family service to honor Charlene was held at the home of her mother, Marie Matthews, and memorial services will take place in Haines and Skagway. The Skagway service will be at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 12 at the Skagway Traditional Council tribal community center.
Charlene was born in Haines on Oct. 7, 1973. “Though her time here with us was brief, Charlene was a teaching soul who seemed to intently understand what she was born to do, ” her family wrote. “Traveling the country, living all over Alaska, Washington, California, Colorado and beyond, the breadth of Charlene’s impact was great. She is best remembered for her unique ability to nurture the potential and beauty in all of us.
“An entrepreneur and adventurer, Charlene had been a small business owner, an overseas flight attendant, a road construction supervisor and an esthetician, to name a few. Though she excelled in all of her work, Charlene’s real job here centered on the relationships, love and support she offered to each of us. She was the kind ear when we needed someone to listen, the comfort in our darkness, and the infectious laugh that set the tone of our lives. There is no doubt that Charlene was a leader, that she finished what she was here to do and that her grace and greatness will continue in all those she touched. In such a short amount of time, Charlene changed our lives simply by living hers with a greater purpose.”
In honor of Charlene, her family asks that “you live too with purpose, and as you bridge across your grief, you draw on the strength and love that Charlene has given you.”
Charlene is survived by her mother, Marie Matthews; father, Jim Matthews; sisters, Christy Ruby and Amber Matthews; grandfather, Bud Matthews; grandparents, Charmaine and Dick Winn; and countless cousins, friends and loved ones dear to her heart.
John E. Feero
1930-2007
Lifelong Alaska resident John E. Feero of Sterling died March 13, 2007 enroute home during the flight from a vacation in Hawaii. John was born April 4, 1930 to Alta and William Feero in Douglas, Alaska. Funeral Mass was held on Saturday, March 31, 2007 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Soldotna. Father Frank Reitter officiated. A reception followed the service at the Sterling Senior Citizens Center. Interment will be this summer in the Columbarium at the Shrine of St. Therese in Juneau where John has said he will be able to view the beautiful scenery of Lynn Canal.
Mr. Feero’s grandfather came to Skagway in 1897 during the Klondike Gold Rush. He owned a pack train to carry supplies over the White Pass and died on the trail in 1898. John’s father was 15-years-old at the time and the family remained in Skagway until after he married and the family moved to Douglas where they remained until after the great fire there in 1937 when they returned to Skagway. John attended school in Skagway and graduated from high school in 1949. From 1951 until 1953 he was in the U.S Army Engineers stationed at Ladd Field in Fairbanks and Ft. Richardson in Anchorage. Because he was an Alaskan he was not eligible to receive overseas pay.
On October 11, 1953 he married Eleanor Boyd, his high school sweetheart at the Pius X Mission Chapel in Skagway. In 1955 he joined the U.S. Customs Service as Customs and Marine Inspector. He transferred to Ketchikan in 1957. In 1970 after some of these duties were transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard he transferred to Juneau to work as a civilian with the Coast Guard. He then transferred to Anchorage in 1980 in the same capacity. He retired from federal service in 1983. After his federal retirement John performed marine survey work for a short time. He retired completely in 1989 when he and Eleanor moved to their cabin in Sterling.
John was active in the Sterling Senior Citizens Center and served four years as president. He was a member of Pioneers of Alaska (Ketchikan Igloo), Elks in Skagway (BPOE #431), past president of the Alaska State Firefighters Association, American Legion Post 75 and Life Member of Sterling Senior Citizens as well as member in Nikiski and Cooper Landing Senior Citizens. John also spent 30 years as a volunteer fireman in Skagway, Ketchikan and Douglas where he was Fire Chief for a number of years. During his time in Douglas, John was very active in community events and instrumental in the renovation of Mt. Jumbo’s gym.
His family wrote: “John was a special person with a wonderful sense of humor and knack for stirring up trouble. He always told his children he was made of blue twisted steel but it was obvious it melted as he grew older. We had a hard time distinguishing his stories from lies but we now know it depends on the size of the fish. John was checking out the friendly skies before his passing.”
He is survived by his wife of 53 years; daughter Marcia Ballard and husband Bill and their children Amy, Sarah, Jed and wife Heather and their son Cole; daughter Margi Maki and husband Edward and their children Jennifer, Jonathan, Michael and his daughters Adriana, Alexandra and Skyler; daughter Debbie Besemann and husband Larry with children Alex and Melissa; daughter Karen Feero and husband Satch Tapangco and sons Joseph, Benjamin and Jordan; daughter Susie Feero; son John W. Feero and wife Francine with children Christopher and Anessa; daughter Julie Feero and son John; kissing cousin Grace Russo and numerous other cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers Robert and William, sisters Geneva Walters, Wilma Jensen, Myrtle Edwards, and Evaline Egbert.
Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Soldotna or the Endowment Fund at Sterling Senior Citizens Center. Condolences may be sent to the family at PO. Box 247, Sterling AK 99672.
Amy J. Flint
1970-2007
Amy J. Flint, 37, died in a vehicle accident in Colorado on Friday, February 16, 2007. She was a summer resident of Skagway through much of the 1990s, working for Gray Line of Alaska, the White Pass and McFarlane’s Trading Company as well as helping with the Fire Department.
Amy had many fond memories of those Skagway summers, often reminiscing about the wonderful times and the many good friends she made there. Special memories included window shopping downtown, reading for hours at her all-time favorite library, timing morning walks to meet the Steam Train behind the Pullen house, watching the ships from Yakutania Point, and the long walks home down Broadway greeting and conversing with friends.
Amy is survived by her husband, Jonathan, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, family in Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, Colorado and Ecuador, as well as her two Golden Retriever buddies, Tagish and Tutshi.
Margaret Grisham
1936-2007
Former Skagway resident Margaret Grisham, 70, died June 12, 2007 at Medcenter One Hospital in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Margaret was born Dec. 25, 1936, in Neosho, MO. She married Vernon Grisham May 21, 1954. In 1967, the family moved to Skagway, where they would spend almost 40 years.
She loved Alaska and its people. Margaret worked at many jobs there, three different curio stores and the Skagway’s Dahl Memorial Clinic.
Margaret’s passion was reading, and she spent many hours reading the latest novel. Her Presbyterian family in Skagway was very dear to her heart, as were her card-playing friends.
In 2006, Vernon and Margaret moved to the Waterford Retirement Home in Bismarck. She had many friends there and enjoyed the facility. Margaret will be missed by many, as her quick smile and laugh complimented her caring nature.
Margaret is survived by her husband, Vernon Grisham of Bismarck; one son, Mike Grisham of Bellevue, Wash; two daughters, Marilyn (Jim) Hamilton of Bismarck and Sandra (Joe) Bellamy of Farmington, British Columbia; grandchildren, Marcie Grisham of San Diego, Calif., Brittany Grisham of Federal Way, Wash., and James Westfall of Beaufort, SC; and two sisters, Marge (Con) Bagby and Mary Ellen (Clyde) Jordon, all of Siloam Springs, Ariz.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given to their favorite charity. Services were held Tuesday at Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck.
Go to www.parkwayfuneral.com to share memories of Margaret and sign the online guestbook.
Timothy Robert Rahmn
Timothy Robert Rahmn, 38-year Alaska and 10-year Skagway resident passed away Sunday, July 1.
Rahmn was adored by all who knew him and will be greatly missed by his friends and family.
A memorial service and pot-luck will be held to honor Rahmn on Friday, July 6 at 6 p.m. at the Elks.
Anita Carrie Brena
1930 -2007
Loving wife, mother, sister and friend, Anita Carrie Brena, passed away peacefully at her Washington home with her family by her side following a brave battle with Alzheimer’s.
Anita was born on May 27, 1930 and raised in Skagway, where she met her husband of 54 years. In 1968 Anita and Archie Brena moved to Edmonds, Wash. to raise their family.
Anita is survived by her loving husband, Narciso (Archie) Brena, her brother, Charles Roehr, sisters, Gloria Gentile and Paula Mahle, her three sons, Chuck, Kelly and Mario, two daughters, Annette Berg and Rondi Beyer, 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Anita was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Birdie Roehr, and her first grandson, Derek.
Anita loved painting, reading, doing needlework, and taking long walks with her favorite dogs Mr. McDuff and Mr. Tibbs.
In lieu of flowers a charitable donation may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Barbara McNeill
1958-2007
Skagway resident Barbara Lynn (Denney) MacNeill died on May 7, 2007 in Anchorage, Alaska after a battle with cancer.
She was born on March 25, 1958 in Tacoma, Washington, and lived in Skagway for the past six years. She had worked at Sgt. Preston’s Lodge the past four years.
Barbara leaves behind her husband of 28 years, Dale MacNeill, of Skagway; son Dennis MacNeill and family of Spokane; sisters Karen Taylor of Puyallup, Wash., Deborah Blakeley of Spannaway, Wash., and Cindy Watts of Puyallup, Wash; and four grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on June 23 at 1 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church. Memorial gifts are being accepted. No flowers, please.
Cheryl M. Benze
1958-2007
Cheryl Marie Benz passed away May 28, 2007 at her home in Pine Lake, Georgia after almost a four year struggle with cancer. She was 49 years old. Cheryl is survived by her husband Steve, daughter Rachael and husband Jeremy Sheres of Atlanta, sons Nathan and Steve who are attending college. She is also survived by her mother, “Tooky” Soldin Harlow and husband Douglas Harlow of Gig Harbor, Wash., her father Les Griffin and wife Judy, of Sun City West, Ariz., her brother Bob Griffin and wife Chinh of Eagle River, her sister Deborah and husband Keith Dorff of Ithaca, NY, her sister “Tish” and husband Marvin Lagerwey of Oroville, Wash., her Aunt Irene Henricksen of Skagway.
Cheryl, who is a descendant of the pioneer Skagway Hukill family had numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, Vickie and Amanda Griffin of Eagle River, Andy Lyman of Albuquerque, N.M., Keith Knorr and Thor Henricksen of Skagway, Tim and Bob Henricksen of Juneau, Lori Soldin Mitchell and “Bubby” Soldin of Anchorage, Marvin Knorr of Edgewood, Kent., Mark Knorr of Folsom, Cali., and Rick Soldin of Kingsport, Tenn.
Cheryl Griffin attended high school in Anchorage, but graduated from Curtis High School in University Place, Wash., received her bachelors degree from Whitworth College, in Spokane, her masters degree from University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, and her Doctor of Education degree from Florida International University in Miami. Cheryl, who wanted to be a missionary, started her teaching career as a grade school teacher in the Hispanic area of Chicago, then to Albuquerque, Guatemala, Dade Community College and Florida International University in Miami, and until November was Chair of the Foreign Language and English as a Second Language Department at Georgia Perimeter College in Atlanta. She has written several texts on English as a second language and recently written one with her husband, Dr. Stephen Benz that will be published later this year.
In 2005 she received the TESOL Lifetime Achievement Award in Los Angeles. While teaching at Miami Dade College she was featured in a full page ad in the Miami Tribune as “What it takes to be a good teacher.” Her son Nathan said of her, “She always saw potential in people and things (old houses).”
Cheryl’s father, Les Griffin worked summers in Customs in Skagway when Cheryl was little and she spent her summers here. Later he was in Customs in Juneau where Cheryl started school, in Anchorage where Cheryl attended high school. and in Tacoma, where Cheryl graduated from Curtis High School. The summer of l978, Cheryl spent in Skagway working as hostess in the dining room at the Westmark and at Kirmse’s and stayed with her great aunt and uncle, Goldie and Duncan Hukill. That September she married Steven Benz in Spokane. Jean Worley made her wedding dress.
Cheryl saw much of the world in her short life, but always considered she was an Alaskan and chose that her ashes should come to rest in Skagway. Her husband Steve, will bring them next summer.
A scholarship has been set up in Benz’s name. Checks should be made out to GPA Foundation earmarked for CHERYL BENZ SCHOLARSHIP. Mail to: Erica Hart, GPA Foundation, 3251 Panthersville Rd., Decatur, GA 30014
Each year the scholarship money will go to an international student who contributes to community service. Contributions also may be sent to the American Cancer Society earmarked for Ovarian Cancer Research.
