Huge Marriages Search Engine!
Joe Trucano
Longtime Juneau resident and builder Joe Trucano died March 15, 2001, at Bartlett Regional Hospital.
He was born Jan. 2, 1915, on a farm in Tower, Minn., one of 12 children. He served in the Army at Fort Chilkoot in Haines in the late 1930s. He stayed in Alaska after his discharge and moved to Juneau, where he spent the rest of his life.
He met Alma Werner from South Dakota in Juneau and they were married in 1939. They built a log home together in 1938 which still stands near the Auke Bay Fire Station. As their family grew, Trucano built a home in the Highlands and they moved there in 1953.
A carpenter by trade, he got his start working to build the subport on the Juneau waterfront in the early 1940s. He later worked for Abel, Triplette and Dalziel. In 1954 he formed Triplette and Trucano, and the partners ran a retail lumber and building supply store where the State Office Building now stands. They also built a number of private homes, businesses and buildings in the Juneau area, including Gastineau Elementary School, the Breakwater Inn and Glacier Valley Elementary School. In 1965 he and his wife formed Trucano Construction.
He enjoyed hunting and the outdoors. He and his sons built a cabin at Gambier Bay, and he treasured the time he spent there with his family.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Alma, his daughter Carolyn (and Alan) Gould, his son Doug Trucano (and Carol Ackerson), son Jim (and Nadine) Trucano and their children Jeff, Jenny, Tanya and Holly, and granddaughter Cynthia (and Tom) Kreibel, all of Juneau; granddaughter Charolyn (and John) Concepcion and great-grandson Matthew of Oregon, sister Angela Larson and brothers Larry, Albert and John Trucano all of Minnesota, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Service will be 1 p.m. Monday at the Holy Trinity Church. A reception will be held immediately afterward in McPhetres Hall and a reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at Mike's Place in Douglas.
Honorary pallbearers are Ben Haffner, Boyd Cody, Joe Ivans, Doug Gregg, Tim Whiting and Harvey Hildre.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 325 Gold St., Juneau, 99801, or to the Alzheimer's Association, 3200 Hospital Dr., Suite 203, Juneau, 99801.
Hugh Malone
Douglas resident Hugh Malone died March 8, 2001, as the result of an accident while vacationing in Vernazza, Italy.
He was born Jan. 22, 1944, in Catskill, N.Y., to F.J. and Cate Malone. He moved to Alaska with his family in 1958. He was a land surveyor by profession but was better known for his public service to Alaska. He served on the Kenai City Council, the Kenai Borough Assembly, and was elected a state representative from the Kenai Peninsula in 1972. He served 12 years in the Alaska House and was speaker of the House in 1977-78.
He was in Juneau seasonally throughout the 1970s and '80s and moved to Douglas in 1986. Malone was commissioner of Revenue during Gov. Steve Cowper's administration, 1986-1990.
A wake will be held at The Twisted Fish in Juneau from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 17. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute to Hugh Malone Day of Quiet Memorial Fund at National Bank of Alaska, account number 2102118762.
Malone is survived by his wife, Deborah Vogt of Douglas, daughter Shevaun Malone of Colorado Springs, Alanna Malone of Juneau, and son Rory Malone of Douglas. He is also survived by his brother Pat Malone of Kenai, sister and brother-in-law Eileen and Peter Lyse of Wasilla, sister and brother-in-law Rosie and Tom Murphy of Anchorage, aunt Maureen McAleer of Westport, County Mayo, Ireland, and many nieces, nephews and cousins in Alaska, Outside and in Ireland.
Marcus Jensen
Former territorial and state legislator Marcus F. Jensen, 92, died Feb. 6, 2001, at his home in Juneau, following the death of his wife Mamie Jan. 19.
He was born Aug. 8, 1908, in Westhope, N.D., the eldest son of Fred Jensen and Neva Stephens. He grew up in Minneapolis with his parents, five sisters and brother. Interested in Alaska due to his grandfather's and uncles success in the Nome gold rush at the turn of the century, he came to Juneau in 1929. He worked briefly in the Alaska-Juneau mine and then became a surveyor for the Public Roads Administration, obtaining a two-year degree in civil engineering at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis.
In 1933, he met and married Mamie Feusi. The couple settled in Douglas in 1934, and their son John was born in 1935. An accomplished athlete from his high school years, Jensen became a pitcher and "champion bat man" in the Gastineau Channel Baseball League. He was on the Southeast Alaska All-Star basketball team and was scoutmaster for the Douglas troop.
Jensen joined his father-in-law John Feusi in running the family hardware and general store, which became Feusi and Jensen Grocery in downtown Douglas at the location of the present library. He was active in community affairs, serving as fire chief in 1938; on the Douglas City Council in 1935, 1937, 1951-55; and as mayor 1945-47 and 1961-64. He was elected to the territorial House of Representatives in 1949 and served until 1951; then served in the Senate from 1953 to 1957; and the state House from 1961 to 1963.
"As a politician, he was ruthless in exposing what he believed were violations of the public trust, " wrote Mary Lou Gerbi, in the Alaska Southeaster magazine, in September 2000. In 1966 he ran for secretary of state (later, lieutenant governor) losing by 600 votes to Keith Miller who became governor upon Walter Hickel's resignation. For many legislative sessions he was a lobbyist for Alaska contractors, loggers and bankers.
In the late 1940s he became a big game guide and continued guiding into his 70s. In 1973 he was appointed by Gov. Jay Hammond as the first chairman of the new Guide Licensing and Control Board, which shaped the development of the guiding industry in Alaska.
His family noted his love of Alaska and enthusiasm for the opportunities it offered. His interest in sharing that with young people continued to the end of his life. In 1998 he published his life story "One Thing After Another: Adventures in Alaska." He served as president of the Douglas Canning Co. and was a member of the Masons, Moose, Elks, Sons of the American Revolution, Pioneers of Alaska, Chamber of Commerce and the Alaska Professional Hunters Association.
He is survived by his son John Jensen, grandchildren Aleria Jensen and Solan Jensen, all of Juneau; sisters Florence Johnson of Anchorage, Katherine Myland of Cameron Park, Calif., and Marian Towle of Ketchikan, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Alaskan Memorial Park, 3839 Riverside Drive, following PEO services and visitation for his wife Mamie, which begin at 6:30 p.m. Funeral services for Mamie will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul's Catholic Church, with a reception at the parish hall, and for Marcus at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Douglas Community Methodist Church, with a reception at Mike's Place. Interment of ashes for both will be at the St. Therese Columbarium at a later time.
In lieu of flowers for Marcus, donations are invited to be made to "PEO-Chapter G" for "The Mamie Jensen Memorial Scholarship Fund." Send to Karla Donaghey, president, P.O. Box 34513, Juneau, AK 99803.
Ralph Franklin Powell
Ralph Franklin Powell, a 20-year resident of Juneau, died Jan. 11, 2001, at his Juneau home.
He was born March 17, 1912, in Little Falls, N.Y. As a result of a broken home, he set out on his own at the age of 16. He heard a gospel message preached at a YMCA where he was staying, and it changed his life and established his life path of serving others.
He began his ministry and traveled throughout the United States with Dr. Leon Tucker and his Musical Messengers as a song leader and trumpeter. He completed his high school requirements at 29, then completed his degree at Baylor University and Southwestern Theological Seminary in Texas and Eastman School of Music in New York.
He met his wife Janie Bee in Atlanta and their wedding took place on Christmas Day of 1943.
For almost 50 years, he pastored numerous Baptist churches across the country and was involved in the construction of many new buildings. His talents as a choir director, trumpet player and radio broadcaster were always part of his ministry. He also ministered in Australia, Guyana, Brazil and in many villages across Alaska.
Upon retirement from Berean Baptist Church in Kansas City, Mo., he gave up his retirement plans in Florida to follow his newly married daughter Honey Bee to Alaska. His grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family enjoyed his love and prayers.
He is survived by his wife Janie Bee and family members, Honey Bee and Dale Anderson, TamBee and Troy Stepp, KimBee, DarBee and Erik Anderson, all of Juneau, and Aleda and Phil Bowers, of Illinois.
Services were held today at Bethel Christian Center. Pallbearers were Erik Anderson, Tim Whiting, Walt Boman, Don Habeger, The Rev. Mike Pettijohn, Steve Ignell, Jeffrey Troutt and Ken Kreitzer. Honorary pallbearers were Leo Barrans, Kent Fagerstrom and Troy Stepp.
To continue his legacy of helping to build churches, in lieu of flowers, he has requested donations be made to Bethel Christian Center, dedicated to the new sanctuary fund. The mailing address is P.O. Box 32000, Juneau, Alaska, 99803.
Noel C. Falcon II
Former Juneau resident Noel C. Falcon II, 49, died Dec. 28, 2000, while visiting family in Oceanside, Calif.
He was born on Sept. 20, 1951, in North Carolina and lived most of his life in Carlsbad, Calif. He moved to Juneau in 1988.
He was a dedicated martial artist for 25 years and taught martial arts classes in California and Juneau. He also loved music and was a talented musician, singer and song writer. He enjoyed fishing, hiking and gold panning.
He is survived by his wife of nine years Shawna Patterson of Anchorage; his father Noel Falcon Sr. of Oceanside; his mother, Nita Hulihee and step-father Vic Hulihee of Oceanside; daughter Gretchen Falcon of Escondido, Calif.; sons Noel Falcon III of Colorado and Gabriel Falcon of Escondido; brothers Jeffery Falcon of Santa Monica, Calif. and Hong Kong, and Kevin Hulihee of Oceanside; sisters Pam Islieb and husband Fred of Louisiana, Susan McDonald and husband Jeff of Juneau and Kim Hulihee of Oceanside, Ca.; two nieces, Patience Carello of Louisiana and Desiree Montemarano of Mesa, AZ.; nephews, Jeremiah Ames of Vista, Calif. and Joshua McDonald of Juneau.
A memorial service was held in Oceanside on Jan. 4, 2001. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be sent to Shawna Patterson, 755 W. 42nd Ave., Apt. 3, Anchorage, AK, 99503.
Merle H. Kruse
Former Juneau resident Merle H. Kruse died March 25, 2001, in Spokane, Wash. He was 91.
He was born Aug. 1, 1909, in Rockford, Wash. He moved to Juneau in 1991. While he was in Juneau he took and passed his GED at the age of 85. He was involved with the Friends Church in Juneau.
He is survived by his brother Howard Kruse of Montana and seven sons, Ralph, Ron, Don, Paul, Fred and Larry Kruse of Washington and Al Kruse of Juneau, daughters Ellen Wirth and Jan Miller of Washington and Norene Abbott of Ketchikan, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held March 31 in Rockford, Wash.
Jim M. Adamson
Juneau resident Jim M. Adamson died April 4, 2001, in Juneau from complications from colon cancer.
He was born Jan. 13, 1954, in Kubodaria, Japan, and lived in Japan, Germany, Okinawa and many points in the United States.
Adamson wrote, "That's right, he was a military brat and he did it on the taxpayer's dollar. Always a good Democrat, he was never afraid to tax and spend, even at an early age."
He was a vice president with First Bank. Many people knew him as the manager of the downtown Juneau office. He was a graduate of Central Washington University and attended the National Commercial Lending School and the Graduate School of Banking in Colorado. He was a lifelong Rotarian, holding a Paul Harris Fellow and Senior Active Status with the Juneau Glacier Valley Club.
He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Julie Marie Adamson and two sons, Brian James Adamson and Joel David Adamson of Juneau.
Before he died he wrote, "He's sorry he left early...but his medication prevented him from drinking his Irish whiskey, so it just wasn't as much fun anymore. Jim's last wishes were that he be remembered as someone who genuinely cared about people and how hard he worked in life. He only wishes that he could have caught more fish or spent more time out on the water, or had more opportunities to ride out to the glacier with Julie. He leaves us with the tip of the hat for all the great times and looks forward to that great mystery."
Family, friends, and acquaintances will gather for a celebration of his life 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the Aurora Room at the Juneau Airport. Memorial contributions can be made to the Jim Adamson Memorial Fund at any First Bank branch and/or to Hospice of Juneau, 3100 Hospital Drive, Juneau, AK 99801
Walter O. Sinn
Former Juneau resident, Walter "Walt" O'Neal Sinn, died on April 17, 2001, in Friday Harbor, Wash.
He was born March 29, 1914, in Gilbert, Iowa. As a young man he earned a living as a professional motorcycle stunt rider at state and county fairs throughout the Midwest. In 1942 he moved to Ketchikan, where he worked on a rock crusher. He later moved to Juneau joining the Coast Guard and served in World War II when he was stationed at Scotchcap Lighthouse and Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands.
He married Doris Macomber in Juneau in 1944 at the Masonic Temple where he was an active 32nd degree member. He was also a 14th degree Scottish Rite member. His daughter, Donna Lee, was born in 1946.
After the war, he joined the city police in Juneau serving until 1949, when he joined the Alaska Territorial Police, the predecessor of the Alaska State Troopers. Carrying Territorial Police badge No. 1, he served across Alaska. In many towns and villages, as in Barrow, he was the first resident peace officer. He retired in 1971, with 21 years of service.
On September, 26 1970, he married Jean Rae Engle. They later divorced.
He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt, fish and trap. The family wrote that he was extremely generous helping others when they were struggling and that he had a tremendous sense of humor.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Doris of Fairbanks, in 1960.
He is survived by his daughter and Donna Lee Cavanaugh and her husband Bob Myers, grandson and his wife Edward and Jill Davidson, step-grandsons Robert and Michael Myers and great-granddaughter Katherine all from Fairbanks.
A funeral with full police honors will be held in Fairbanks April 28, 1 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes. A memorial service was held April 21 in Friday Harbor, Wash.
For more information about the Fairbanks service, call the family at (907) 451-7212.
Betty Ann Blankenship
Betty Ann Blankenship, 41, died May 2 at her home in Moose Pass.
She was born Jan. 23, 1960 in Haines and lived in Juneau, Angoon, Sitka and North Carolina before settling in Moose Pass.
She is predeceased by Carolyn E. Nease and sister Cindy Johnson; and grandparents Dave and Betty Nease, and Curly and Ethel Powell.
She is survived by her husband Robert Blankenship of Moose Pass; sons Brian and Robbie of Moose Pass; daughters Lexi and Nicole of Moose Pass; father Peter Nease Sr. and stepmother Lilly of Juneau; brothers Clifford of Las Vegas, Steve Johnson of Washington, Peter Nease Jr. of Juneau, Mark Nease of Anchorage and John Nease of Juneau; sister Colleen Nease of Juneau; aunt and uncle Dave and Trisha Nease of Oregon; and in-laws Bob and Laura Blankenship of North Carolina.
A private service is scheduled at the Blankenship home on Tuesday, May 8. Visitors are welcome throughout the day.
Memorial donations and flowers may be made to the Blankenship family at P.O. Box 53, Moose Pass, AK 99631, or at 32.5 Mile Seward Highway.
Leone Pearl Balzer
Leone Pearl Balzer died May 17, 2001, in Juneau.
She was a lifelong resident of Southeast Alaska, except for several years in Oregon, and moved to Juneau in 1992 from Prince of Wales Island.
She was a 1978 graduate of Thorne Bay High School, and was a certified nursing assistant who provided in-home care for senior citizens.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Pearl Nelson, and father, Eldon Balzer.
Surviving are brothers David Balzer, Dennis Balzer, Milo Balzer, and Marvin Tweedy; sister Rena Balzer; step-father Ed Nelson Sr.; step-brothers Ed Nelson Jr. and Bert Nelson; and step-sister Barbie Kraus.
A memorial service will be held at the Glacier Valley Church of God on Thunder Mountain Road at 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 22.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 21836, Juneau, AK, 99802 in memory of Leone Pearl Balzer. Donations may be monetary or Alaska Airlines mileage upgrades. Please contact Rena Balzer at 723-7362, for more information.
