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Duncan Wilsack
Longtime Nikiski resident Duncan Wilsack died Saturday, July 24, 2004, at his home, with family members around him, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease and complications that arose from it. He was 73.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 29, at Peninsula Memorial Chapel, 5839 Kenai Spur Highway, in Kenai.
A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1, at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Kenai.
A gathering will follow the services at the church.
Mr. Wilsack was born May 17, 1931, in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada.
On Feb. 1, 1961, Mr. Wilsack arrived in Alaska with the Reading and Bates Drilling Co. to begin oil drilling operations in the Swanson River Fields.
He met Janice Walker on Valentine's Day in 1961 at Leo T. Oberts Insurance, and they were married March 3, 1962.
Throughout his years on the peninsula, Mr. Wilsack worked in the oil industry and was a member of the Labors Union Local No. 341, and volunteered as a firefighter for the Nikiski Fire Department.
Due to his declining health, he retired from Tesoro Petroleum Refinery in 1996, after 13 years of employment.
"During summer months, our father's love was fishing, consequently the family also grew to love fishing.
He always had a joke to tell, a song to sing, a mischievous sideways grin and sparkling eyes.
After retirement, we heard many 'Seinfeld' quotes from episodes he watched.
His sense of humor showed through right to the end.
He was what we all strive to be: committed, hardworking, dedicated, honest and decent," his family said.
Mr. Wilsack was preceded in death by his father and mother, John and Mary Wilsack; brother, Andrew Wilsack; and sister, Alice Martin.
He is survived by his wife, Janice of Nikiski; daughters and their families, Teresa and John Hoops and daughters, Carrie and Nicole, of Soldotna, Kathleen and Larry Shue and daughter, Erin, of Chugiak, Debra Wilsack of Anchorage, Brenda and LeeMoyne Canady and sons, DeVon, Duncan and Deacon, of Arlington, Texas, and Jolanda Wilsack and son, Murak, of Seward; sister, Josie Copeland of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Teresa Barker of Hamilton, Ontario, and Helena McNern of Oklahoma City, Okla.; brothers, John Wilsack of Niagara Falls and Jim Wilsack of Grimsby, Ontario; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Janice Wilsack, 47002 Kenai Spur Highway, Kenai, AK 99611.
The donations will be distributed to various Parkinson's organizations.
Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Rubye Nell (Warren) Townsley
Longtime Sterling resident Rubye Nell (Warren) Townsley died at 8:20 a.m. Saturday, July 24, 2004, at Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage.
She was 76.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 31, at the Church of Christ, Mile 91.7 of the Sterling Highway in Soldotna.
Tony Cloud and David Dvorak will officiate.
Interment will be at the Kenai City Cemetery.
A gathering will follow the services at the church.
Mrs. Townsley was born Oct. 31, 1928, to George and Myrtle B. Jordan Warren in Montgomery, Ala.
She married Robert I. Townsley on Oct. 8, 1947.
Of this union, there were three children: Sherry, Darla, and Michael.
Mrs. Townsley worked as the office manager for the Alaska Department of Transportation for several years until she retired at the age of 65.
"Rubye was the perfect preacher's wife for Robert as he went about the duties of being a minister for the Church of Christ.
She loved being a host for those who came their way.
In this task, she had entertained many in her home who were 'angels unaware.'
She taught children's classes and held seminars on how to teach children in the various states where Robert was preaching.
She continued this until her health prevented her from this wonderful task," her family said.
"To her husband, she was not only a wonderful wife, but a confidant, as well.
She will be greatly missed by her family, her church family, and those lives she has touched."
Mrs. Townsley was preceded in death by her father, George F. Warren; mother, Myrtle B. Warren; brother George F. Warren Jr.; and sister, Jeanette Moore.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Townsley; children, Sherry Bradshaw, Darla Towell and Michael Townsley, all of Sterling; grandchildren, Jennifer Eskue of Soldotna, Kathrine Barry of Ithaca, N.Y., Ryan Towell of Soldotna, Rebecca Yancy of East Helena, Mont., Kellie Towell of Soldotna, Michael Townsley of Junction City, Ore., Laura Townsley of Turlock, Calif., and Rachel Ostler of Homer; and 18 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Townsley's memory to the American Cancer Society, 1057 W. Fireweed Lane, Anchorage, AK 99503.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Tom Harbick
Nikiski resident Tom Harbick died Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003, in an automobile accident in Nikiski.
He was 48.
Arrangements are pending with Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Kurt R. Karsten
Longtime Soldotna resident Kurt Raymond Karsten died unexpectedly Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2002, at his home.
He was 54.
Memorial services will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday at Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai.
Mr. Karsten was born June 12, 1948, in Anchorage to Emmett L. and Betty Karsten.
Shortly after his birth, the family moved to the Soldotna, where Karsten spent all his life, except for the time he served in the Navy serving two tours in Vietnam.
After he was honorably discharged, he returned to Soldotna, where he met and married Becka Lynn on Oct. 23, 1970.
He worked at various jobs in the community, such as selling insurance, selling cars at Hutchings Chevrolet and, most recently, in the oil industry at the Swanson River facilities for more than 20 years.
Mr. Karsten enjoyed playing softball and bowling with his wife and friends.
He loved to cook and entertain his friends and relatives.
"Through all life's ups and downs, his wife was his strength, his reason for being and always the love of his life.
With her, he raised a beautiful daughter and three strapping sons -- who he dearly loved and was proud of.
As his family grew, he loved his extended family very much and really cherished his grandkids.
He will really be missed and will be in our hearts and prayers forever," his family said.
Mr. Karsten was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Kristi LaDawn Karsten.
He is survived by his wife, Becky Karsten; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Brian Beebe; son and daughter-in-law, Cory and Katie Karsten; sons, Chad and Kyle Karsten; grandchildren, Baileigh, Oakley, Gunner and Gage; sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Jack McGahan; and brother and sister-in-law, Keith and Kathy Karsten.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Arleen J. Stedman
Soldotna resident Arleen J. Stedman died Friday Jan. 3, 2003, at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna. She was 63.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Joe Bonner will officiate.
Mrs. Stedman was born Oct. 11, 1939 in Troy Mich.
In 1986, she moved from Michigan to Wasilla where she lived until 1991.
She then moved back to Michigan.
In 1999, she returned to Alaska, this time residing in Soldotna until the time of her death.
She worked in an auto factory and in the communications field until she became disabled.
Mrs. Stedman's hobbies included collecting butterflies, turtles and owls.
"Arleen was as special as they come.
She was the pillar of the family, was always there when needed and had a real knack for getting over the humps.
She had a heart as big as they come, and she always managed to stay cheerful.
Arleen always showed her love for her children and grandchildren.
She will live on in our hearts forever, " her family said.
She is survived by her son, Scott Dotson of Cheboygan, Mich.; daughters, Rhonda Marie Bonner and April Larae Stedman, both of Soldotna; brothers, Ronald Dotson of Wolverine, Mich., Chuck Dotson of Anchorage and Carl Dotson of Michigan; and grandchildren, David Parrott, Adam Dotson, Kayla Dotson and Chandler Dotson.
Memorials may be sent to Rhonda Bonner P.O. Box 1040, Sterling, AK 99672.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Emerald 'Jack' Ullery
Nikiski resident Emerald "Jack" Ullery died Sunday, Jan. 4, 2004, at his home.
He was 86.
Per his request, no services will be held.
Mr. Ullery was born April 21, 1917, in South Bend, Ind.
He is survived by his sister, Dorothy Jahnke of Nikiski, and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in Mr. Ullery's memory to the Alzheimer's Disease Research Agency of Alaska, 1750 Abbott Road, Anchorage, AK 99507.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Ronald Jay Swanson
Kasilof resident Ronald Jay Swanson died of cancer Thursday, Dec. 25, 2003, surrounded by his family in Eugene, Ore.
He was 57.
Since September he had been cared for at his son's home in Portland, Ore., and his mother's home in Eugene.
A celebration of life will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, at Peninsula Grace Brethren Church, 44175 Kalifornsky Beach Road.
Pastor Joe Knox will officiate.
A reception will be held immediately following the service.
Mr. Swanson met his wife, Jackie, in Kenai at his original Ron's Rent-All Store.
They were married Nov. 18, 1971, and made their home on the Kasilof River for 32 years.
Mr. Swanson was a prominent businessman in the Kenai-Soldotna area for more than 35 years.
His great vision allowed him to grow from a one-room store 37 years ago into Ron's Rent It Center in Kenai and Ron's Honda Center in Soldotna.
"One of his greatest gifts in life was his ability to envision, design and build.
He truly believed no task was too large and that anything is possible when you are willing to make sacrifices and work with diligence.
He dared to dream big dreams, which will continue to inspire us all," his family said.
As a member of the community, Mr. Swanson had seen many changes in the Kenai area over the many decades.
This peaked his interest in preserving Alaska history and led him to become an active member of the Kasilof Historical Society.
Mr. Swanson was an outdoor enthusiast.
He spent many enjoyable years hiking and hunting in the mountains around the Cliff House on Tustumena Lake.
He loved snowmachining with his family in the Caribou Hills.
His most recent pure joy was spending time with his family in Homer and working on their Sadie Cove cabin.
Mr. Swanson was preceded in death by his son, Richard Swanson, and his father, John R. Swanson.
He is survived by his mother, Ganelle Ruzicka of Eugene; wife of 32 years, Jacqueline Swanson of Kasilof; sons, Jared of Soldotna, and Travis and Justin, both of Portland; daughter and son-in-law, Sherri and Roger Needham of Montrose, Colo.; daughter-in-law, Shannon Swanson of Nikiski; sister and brother in-law, David and Ann Letzring of Kasilof; grandsons, Ryan, Christopher and David Swanson, all of Nikiski; granddaughters, Kena, Keeli, Kayla and Kelsi Needham, all of Montrose; as well as uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorials in memory of Mr. Swanson may be made to the Kasilof Historical Society, P.O. Box 3, Kasilof, AK 99610.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Cheryl Ann Brumlow
Kenai resident Cheryl Ann Brumlow died Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002, in her home. She was 46.
Funeral services will be held at 6 p.m. today at Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai.
Following the service, she will be cremated.
Mrs. Brumlow was born March 11, 1956, in Petaluma, Calif., the daughter of Sybil Small and Keith West.
She came to Alaska in 1978 with her first husband, Gilbert Mark Hernandez.
She resided in Big Lake, where she liked to fish, swim and suntan.
Big Lake also is where she met her soul mate, Lonnie D. Brumlow.
They were married Sept. 11, 1990.
They lived in Kenai until 1995, when they moved to Marin County, Calif.
They returned to Alaska in 2000 to be with their children.
Mrs. Brumlow is survived by her husband of 12 years, Lonnie D. Brumlow of Kenai; sons, Joshua James Brumlow of Kenai and David Hernandez and fiance, Holly Inglis of Anchorage; daughters, Sonya Hernandez and fiance, Ben Wynn, of Kenai and Loretta Overway and husband, Joel, of Fairbanks; grandchildren, Anson McClue of Kenai and Kelsey and Alex Overway of Fairbanks; mother and stepfather, Sybil and Dave Martinez of Marin County; and brothers, Sonny West and fiance, Candy Kohniak, of Anchorage, Teddy West and Wally West, both of Marin County; and many other family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the family for her son, Joshua, 4411 N. Dogwood, Kenai, AK 99611 or call 283-1529.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
