Huge Marriages Search Engine!
Treasa Mae Sakeagak, 35
Kenai resident, Treasa Mae Sakeagak, 35, died Dec. 3, 2006 at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage.
Funeral services were held 12 p.m., Dec. 8, 2006 at Peninsula Memorial Chapel, 5839 Kenai Spur Hwy in Kenai. Visitation was scheduled for one hour prior to the services. Pastor Denver Copeland officiated.
Graveside services followed at the McGahan Cemetery in Nikiski. Pallbearers included Karl Cooper, Chris Cleveland, Billy Leavitt, Mike Leavitt, Jr., Wes Yurcina and Leslie M. Johnson.
Sakeagak was born March 10, 1971 to James Ahkivana and Gladys (Smalley) in Barrow. She was raised there and graduated from Barrow High School in 1989. She was a member of the Utkeagvik Presbyterian Church in Barrow. She traveled to Anchorage and resided there until the last seven years where she lived in Kenai.
“Treasa had a free spirit and enjoyed spontaneous activities. A loving mother, sister, aunt, cousin and not afraid to laugh about life. Her purpose in life seemed to be bringing happiness to those around her. Treasa was independent and had a strong will. She was not afraid to stand up for those she loved or what she believed in. Her character shines though her son, Gus; Caring, helpful, responsible and loves to laugh. Laughter truly is the best medicine, ” wrote the family.
Sakeagak was preceded in death by numerous family members. She is survived by her sons, Christopher Allen Masak Sakeagak of Barrow and Gus Gaetke of Kenai; brothers, Zeke Smalley of Ohio; aunts and uncles, Loretta and Mike Leavitt of Nikiski, Thea and Eddie Bodfish of Barrow, Ellen and Sparrow Setoyant of Arizona and Amy and William Okpeaha of Barrow; aunts, Charlene Lee Sakeagak, Mary Jane Kaleak, Virginia Lee Nye and Darlene K. Sakeagak all of Barrow; uncles and aunts, Morgan & Cora Sakeagak, Charlie & Karen Sakeagak all of Barrow; cousins, Lillian Leavitt Johnson, Chris & Karl Cooper, Billygene A.S. Leavitt, Darlene Ruth Leavitt, Sandy Mae Leavitt, Mike Niki Leavitt, Jr. all of Nikiski, Harry, Herbert, Glenn, Juku, Arthur, Rita, Katie, Eddie, Donna, Scott, Linda, Ricky, Greg, Geri, Morgan III, Willie, Elizabeth, Mona, Elaine, Mariah, Takkak, Joe, Mattie, Amy, Eva, Robert and Edith all of Barrow, Christopher, William, Jackie, Joleen, Marvin and Jessie all of Arizona; too many to name of first, second and third cousins in Barrow and Kenai.
Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Callie M. Thomas, 84
Callie Mae Thomas, 84, a former Kotzebue resident, died peacefully in her Fairbanks home Nov. 5, 2006.
Thomas was born Sept. 14, 1922, in Miles, Texas, to Callie Knudsen Raley and Wickliffe Ives Raley.
She met her husband, John Thomas, at college in Texas, where they later married in 1940. They started a family in Texas, continued their seminary education and served in Baptist ministry positions.
In 1955 they moved to Fairbanks where John Thomas was a pastor and where they were later commissioned to become missionaries in Kotzebue. They lived in Kotzebue for four years, serving the Lord and developing a loving and close-knit community of friends throughout northwest Alaska. Callie Thomas was known for the constant flow of people through her home and learning from the Native woman how to make fresh bread in her washbasin.
Thomas grew up during the depression. She was the youngest daughter of a pharmacist. As a young girl, she worked in her family's drug store and soda fountain.
Later she played many roles as a pastor's wife. She also ran a 24-hour daycare when they first moved to Alaska.
She taught at North Pole School for 23 years as a junior high, kindergarten and first-grade teacher. In order to meet the financial needs of her family, she juggled her full-time teaching career as well as many varied part-time positions.
During these years she worked on the pipeline in the summer months, then later retired as a longdistance telephone operator for Alascom. She volunteered extensively as an English literacy teacher.
Beyond her own eight children, “Momma Callie” was mother to many. Friends said she was known for her sacrificial love, her sweet spirit, her words of appreciation and her generosity that overflowed into hospitality
John Q. Ahnupkana, 69
Nuiqsut resident John Q. Ahnupkana, 69, died Oct. 25, 2006, at Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage.
Ahnupkana was born April 6, 1937, in Barrow and lived in the Mead River area until the early 1940s when he moved to Barrow. He lived in Barrow until moving to Nuiqsut in 1973.
Ahnupkana was a graduate of Mount Edgecumbe High School and had worked as an accountant for Kuukpik Corp. from 1973 until 1989.
He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and loved hunting and camping with family and friends.
“First quality was his unconditional love and devotion to family, and the fact that he raised four children as his own without hesitation, ” the family wrote.
Survivors include his wife, Irene Ahnupkana of Nuiqsut; sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Jimmy Kasak; sister-in-law, Marjorie Aknupkana; numerous nieces and nephews; sons, William Ekowanna, Benjamin Tukle, Gordon Brown; daughter-in-law, Erna Brown; daughters, Nora Nita Ahnupkana, Gloria Brown; grandchildren, Curtis Ahvakana, Camron Brown, Gordon Brown III, Amanda, David and Katherine Brower, and Mary Smith and great-grandson Braden Brower.
A visitation was Nov. 2 at Kisik Community Center in Nuiqsut, with service following. Heather Smith and Virginia Kasak officiated. A singspiration was on Nov. 3 at the Presbyterian Church in Nuiqsut. Pallbearers included Roger Ahnupkana, Curtis Ahvikana, Jimmy Kasak Jr., Clarence Ahnupkana, Vernon Bennett, Harry Ericklook and Camron Brown. Burial will be in Nuiqsut Cemetery.
Arrangements were made with Evergreen Memorial Chapel, 737 E St. in Anchorage.
Montana Skylar Simmons, Infant
Infant Montana Skylar Simmons died Oct. 13, 2006. Montana was born Aug. 20, 2006, at Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage.
He is survived by his parents, Henry Patrick Simmons II and Clarissa Lee Ballot of Kotzebue; siblings Angela Nichole Simmons, Nicholaus Patrick Lee and William James Sebastian Simmons of Kotzebue; Barrett Lee Sellars of Marion, Ark.; paternal grandparents Henry Patrick and Diane Ruth Simmons of Marion, Ark.; maternal grandparents Chester Lee and Ida Jane Ballot of Kotzebue; aunts and uncles Issac and Patricia Ballot of Anchorage; Jarold, Brendon and Colin Ballot of Kotzebue; Derrick and Priscilla Simmons of West Memphis, Ark.; Christopher and Holly Simmons of Marion, Ark.; loving Nanny, Yvonne Jennie Kingeak; and numerous cousins and family members.
Montana was preceded in death by his greatgrandparents Jerry and Mary Coppock, Issac and Magdeline Ballot, Frank and Julie Simmons, William and Ruth Williams; Uncle Bobby Simmons and aunts Julie and Angela Simmons.
His family said, “The love we have for you will last forever even though you were with us for a short time.
The memories we had were few, but will never be forgotten. We wish we had more time to watch you grow into a young man, but now, we know you will watch us from heaven above. With such a mischievous little personality, we quickly knew you would be a handful, but were so excited. Your brothers wanted to touch you and poke you, but you didn’t mind it at all. Your sister just wanted to baby-sit you all the time.
Now, you can watch them grow and guide them in their lives. We will never forget you, our little angel.
With all our love, Mom and Dad.”
Funeral services were Oct. 20, 2006, at the Kotzebue Friend’s Church. Resting place at the Catholic Cemetery; potluck following at the Kotzebue Lions Club.
Myrtle B. Sherbahn, 83
Anchorage resident Myrtle B. Sherbahn, 83, died Oct. 3, 2006, at Alaska Regional Hospital.
Sherbahn was born number 11 of 13 children to David and Mary Sisk on May 10, 1923, in Brainerd, Minn. She married Ben F. Sherbahn on June 8, 1941, in Salem, Ore. She served faithfully, along her husband’s side, pastoring churches in Washington, Oregon and Idaho from the early 1940’s until God called them to Alaska in September 1956, along with their four children.
They went to Kotzebue to pastor the Church of God and were there from 1956 through 1964 and again in 1969. While in Kotzebue, Sherbahn had two more children.
In Anchorage they pastored the Northern Lights Church of God.
Myrtle Sherbahn was active in the church and had a love for teaching children. She brought great enthusiasm and joy to everything she did and was a great storyteller.
Sherbahn and her husband opened their home to many foster children over the years, and she became “mom” to many. They adopted a daughter into the family later in life.
She enjoyed baking, sewing, making crafts, reading and singing. She loved to study the Bible and attended many women’s studies over the years. She loved to travel and enjoyed many vacations with her family.
Sherbahn also cleaned houses for 15 years and many of her clients became dear friends.
“Our mom loved life. She had a great sense of humor and had the ability to get a smile and laugh from anyone she met. She had a spunky disposition and loved sweets. She thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, and loved playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was a wonderful mother and dedicated her life to God and her family. She was loved dearly and will be greatly missed, ” her family wrote.
Sherbahn is survived by children and their spouses, Lois Miller, Ben and Ida Sherbahn, Beth and Kent Maraman, Rachel and Tony Black, Keren and Grant Turner, daughter-in-law Ginger Sherbahn, son-in-law Curt Boatner; 21 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren; and brother Albert Sisk.
She was preceded in death by her husband Ben F. Sherbahn, son David Sherbahn, daughter Ruth Boatner, and son-in-law Reinhold W. Miller.
The visitation was Oct. 6 at Evergreen Memorial Chapel, 737 E St., in Anchorage. The memorial service was Oct. 7 at North Anchorage Church of God, 1711 S. Bragaw St.
Flowers are welcome or if you choose to make a donation, please do so to Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission, 2823 Tudor Rd., Anchorage, AK 99507, or Crisis Pregnancy Center, 2902 Boniface Parkway, Anchorage, AK 99512.
Arrangements are with Evergreen Memorial Chapel in Anchorage.
Clyde Charles Agnaniaq Hugo, 19
Clyde Charles Agnaniaq Hugo’s life ended suddenly in an all-terrain vehicle accident on Sept. 9, 2006, in Barrow.
Clyde was born Jan. 13, 1987, in Fairbanks to Patrick and Beverly Hugo of Barrow. Clyde is missed deeply; he left an indelible impression on many lives.
His family said he savored life, good friends and good times. He was a great person and made life joyful. He was caring, friendly and lived by his convictions of honesty and forgiveness.
“He had a contagious smile that touched lives. He was a handsome and well-groomed young man who enjoyed hunting, whaling and hanging out with his family and friends, ” Clyde’s family said.
Clyde also had a deep passion for the game of basketball. He played the sport throughout his life starting with Little Dribblers in elementary school with the Sonics, junior high school with the Wolves, high school with the Barrow Whalers and city league with the Wolf Pack. His all time favorite jersey number was 44.
Clyde’s Celebration of Life service was on Sept. 14, 2006, in Barrow at the Inupiat Assembly of God Church, officiated by Pastor David Wilson. Clyde attended service and youth group and served his community at traditional Inupiat Eskimo feasts there.
Family, friends and mentors came from distant places to attend Clyde’s farewell service.
His beloved family and friend’s hand carried his casket on foot, a traditional Nunamiut Eskimo funeral ceremony, along a sunny beachside road to his resting place. Isaiah 57:1 is a special verse that helps his loved ones cope with the loss of our beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew, friend, hunter, whaler, basketball player and smiley guy.
He is survived by his siblings, Jeffery Hugo and MaryJo Moore, Doris Hugo Shavings and Darryl Shavings, Alicia Vordertrasse and John Hugo and Mary Hugo.
His nephews include Micah, Noah and Josiah Hugo and Kenneth Vorderstrasse. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clyde and Ellen Hugo, of Anaktuvuk Pass and Charlie and Mary Edwardsen, of Barrow.
Please forward condolences and photos to his family, Patrick and Beverly Hugo, P.O. Box 677, Barrow, AK 99723.
Clyde’s family expresses sincere gratitude for support during their loved one’s passing.
Peter Tiesler, Nome, 73
Peter Tiesler, 73, died Dec. 27, 2005, surrounded by his wife and friends, after a courageous battle with cancer.
A celebration of Pete Tiesler’s life was July 29 in Nome’s old St. Joe’s.
Mr. Tiesler was born Jan. 19, 1932, in Pennsylvania to Hans and Bettina (Hovey) Tiesler.
Following graduation from high school he joined the U.S. Army. While stationed at Fort Richardson he fell in love with Alaska.
He soon developed a keen interest in mining and worked for the F. E. Company, becoming the youngest dredge master in the industry.
He mined for gold, tin and platinum and worked for companies in Alaska and in Columbia and Bolivia in South America.
In January of 1972, he was called to Potosí, Bolivia, to supervise and repair a dredge. There he met the love of his life.
After a whirlwind courtship, he married Teresa Kirigin and they returned to Platinum.They moved to Nome in 1976 to work with Alaska Gold.
“Pete loved people and worked hard for ‘his crew.’
He was a true leader and a real friend. He would give his shirt to anyone who needed it. He was generous to a fault and always concerned with the welfare of others, ” his family wrote.
“Although modest, Pete was a well recognized expert in mining. He was an intellectual man and an avid reader. When diagnosed with cancer he did extensive research. He discussed his case with doctors on their level. He knew what treatments were available and what to expect with each stage of his illness, ” family members wrote. “Pete had a warm and wonderful sense of humor. He was a great storyteller and would poke fun at himself. Pete was a deep thinker who could discuss subjects encompassing anything and everything.”
Survivors include his wife, Teresa; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Mirko Kirigin and Dragoje and Jeanelle Kirigin, in the United States, and Teresa’s siblings in Bolivia; brother and sister-inlaw, Hans and Joyce Tiesler, and their daughters, Diane and Karen; and other nieces and nephews.
Contributions in his memory can be made to the Cancer Center at Providence or Denali Home Hospice.
Arrangements were with Evergreen Memorial Chapel, Anchorage.
John Schaeffer, 90
John Will Abbutuq Schaeffer, 90, died Dec. 11, 2006. He was born in Ivik, Alaska, on Feb. 17, 19l6, to Roswell Lincoln Schaeffer and Lucy Warren Saqulan Schaeffer. John lived out at Ivik, his camp on the north shore of Kobuk Lake, until the end.
His father came up to Alaska in the summer of 1898 on the Schooner Penelope as a cook with a small group of men to find“riches”in Alaska during the Nome Gold Rush era.
Although that endeavor proved fruitless, the family he began with his petite Inupiat wife, Saqulan, grew to be his lasting legacy. Due to his father’s ill health and subsequent death, John took the role of caretaker and provider for his family at a very young age. He inherited his mother’s strong work ethic, gentle humor and optimistic outlook on life. He also carried on her Inupiat heritage, love of language and love of the Arctic. A great storyteller, John was very proud of his gold-mining father, with whom he began his lifelong love of dogmushing.
He had countless anecdotes about those days to share with family and friends.
He married Annie Igxubuq Lazarus in 1936, and began a family that eventually consisted of twelve children, two of whom died in childhood, John, Michael, Peter, Roswell, Robert, Lucy, Lois, Henry, Charles, and Gilbert. He supported his family primarily by his subsistence lifestyle of hunting, fishing, and trapping.
In his early years he did seasonal work in the Candle Mining District, first as a laborer in the thawing field and later as a catskinner. He also supplemented his family’s lifestyle with seasonal commercial fishing and carpentry work throughout the years. The boats and sleds he handcrafted for himself and others were much admired for their fine handiwork and practicality.
John was one of the many native Alaskan men who protected the shores of Alaska, Barter Island to Bristol Bay, from the Japanese invasion of Alaska, from 1942-46. The AlaskaTerritorial Guards were commanded by Brig. Gen. Marvin “Muktuk” Marston, who remained a good friend throughout John’s life.
John later served the Alaska Army National Guard from 1950-53.
A fine marksman, he was a gunner for the aerial wolf-hunting program in the late 1950’s.He and his younger brother Leo, a bush pilot, recounted many stories of their exploits in this arena.
Although John had run local races with his dogteam in the 1940’s and 50’s, he occasionally loaned his dogs out to other local mushers who ran the North Ameri-can Sled Dog Race.
Many years later when the Iditarod Race began, his interest in dogmushing rekindled and he got back into it.
On January 26, 1988, his beloved wife Annie died. A few years later he decided to enter the KDMA Arctic Coastal Race (Kotzebue to Kivalina and return) in which he received the Sportsmanship trophy as the oldest musher to finish. He remained active until emphysema and other ailments got the best of him.
John will be greatly missed by friends and family for his unwavering optimism and wonderful hospitality to all those who visited him at his beloved camp, Ivik.
John is survived by his children and their spouses: John and Mary Schaeffer, Michael Schaeffer, Pete and Polly Schaeffer, Ross and Millie Schaeffer, Bobby Schaeffer, Lucy Anne Nordlum, Lois MacGillivray, Henry and Janet Schaeffer, Chuck and Tracey Schaeffer, and Gilbert Schaeffer. He is also survived by his youngest sister Harriet Avery of Washington State, brother-in-law, Willie Hensley and wife Abby, 49 grandchildren, 113 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by: Beloved wife Annie Veronica Schaeffer, his sons: Roswell I and Wayne, his parents: Roswell and Lucy Schaeffer, His oldest sister, Irene Smith of Anchorage, sister Bertha Brooks of Juneau, brother Leo Schaeffer and his wife Helen of Kotzebue, sister-in-law Mary Coppock and her husband Jerry.
His memorial was held Thursday, December 14, 2006 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Kotzebue and burial followed on December 15, 2006 at Ivik. John Schaeffer Ivik, Alaska December 11, 2006
