Huge Marriages Search Engine!
Geneva Maxine Helmers
Long-time Alaska resident, Geneva Maxine Helmers, 88, succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease, Nov. 20 at the Palmer Veteran’s and Pioneer’s Home where she had resided for the last six and a half years.
Private services were held at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wasilla. A remembrance will be held Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Palmer Veterans’ and Pioneer’s Home, 250 E. Fireweed Ave., Palmer.
Maxine was born Jan. 25, 1920, in Cottonwood, Idaho to Edgar C. and Clara (Kincaid) Wortman. She graduated high school in Moscow, Idaho, and graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in education. It was there, in 1940, that she met and married Austin E. Helmers of Wallace, Idaho.
Austin was employed by the U.S. Forest Service allowing them to live in many areas of the U.S. including, Missoula, Mont., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Priest River, Idaho, Spokane, Wash., , Washington, D.C., and finally Juneau, in 1957.
Volunteering as an official at the annual Juneau Golden North Salmon Derby was a highlight of her summers. She worked in the office at Glacier Valley Elementary School. She was a founding member of P.E.O. Chapter G.
In 1971, they transferred to Fairbanks. She worked for Barnett Elementary School until retiring to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho in 1976. After two years they returned to Alaska settling in the Matanuska Valley.
Maxine was best known for her stunning flower and vegetable gardens everywhere they lived. She was also an avid bridge player and active in Holy Trinity Church in Juneau, and a founding member of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wasilla. She and Austin were active in Paws and Taws Square Dance Club. She was a member of Pioneers Women’s Egloo #11. She was always involved with the P. E. O. chapters where she resided.
Maxine is survived by her husband, Austin; daughters, Nancy Thomas (David) of Palmer; Geri Paden (John) of Texas; son, Thomas Helmers (Theresa) of Fairbanks; grandchildren, Scott and Steve Thomas, Kelli Toth, Jessica and Leslie Helmers and Ashley Wages all of Alaska, Kierstin Waara of Michigan and Brandi Deems of Oregon; and nine great-grandchildren. Also surviving is her sister, Mrs. Jane Pierce, and a niece and nephew all of Twin Falls, Idaho.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. David’s Episcopal Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 870995, Wasilla, AK 99654 or Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 4406, Palmer, AK 99645.
Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel & Crematory.
Harry K. Burke
Palmer resident Harry K. Burke, 87, passed away Dec. 15 at home of natural causes.
Mr. Burke was born Sept. 4, 1921 in Las Vegas, N.M.
Harry attended Socorro School of Mines and received his bachelors degree in Metallurgical Engineering. He also attended University of Idaho and received his Masters degree in Engineering.
He enlisted in the Navy on Nov. 7, 1942 and served in World War II. He was honorably discharged on Feb. 16, 1946.
Mr. Burke moved to Palmer in 1987
After the military, Mr. Burke had multiple jobs. He worked in Morenci, Ariz., to 1952; Magma Copper Co., , San Manuel, Ariz., from 1955-1969; Anaconda Mining Inc., Chuquicamata, Chile from 1969-1970; Lornex Mining Corp., Rio Algom Mines, Vancouver Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada 1970-1972; Pala Mining Comp. Rio Tinto Group Phalaborwoa, South Africa from 1972-1976; Sterns-Rogers Inc., Denver, Colo., from 1978-1981
Mr. Burke was a member of Masonic Affiliation — the grand lodge of AF and AM of New Mexico, Socorro, N. M., ; York Rite of Freemasonary, Safford, Ariz., ; Order of Yellow Dogs, Albuquerque, N. M., ; Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Inc.; Order of the Eastern Star.
Mr. Burke received the Boy Scouts of America, silver beaver award Jan. 27, 1968
His hobbies and special interests were his family, geology, fishing, hunting and traveling.
His family wrote: “Harry enjoys spending time with his family, camping, hunting and fishing. Harry was active in the community such as Boy Scouts, Masons and the Republican party. He will always be held close to our hearts and never forgotten.”
Harry is survived by his wife Lillian D. Burke of Palmer; daughters Kathleen Jo Burke and Michelle Kelly Freeman; sons Brian Templeton Burke and Mark Judd Burke; and grandsons Daniel and Billie Freeman.
Arrangements were entrusted to Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary.
George Schwaderer
George Cornell Schwaderer, 85, died peacefully at home Dec. 21, 2008, surrounded by his family.
No funeral service is planned. Internment will be in Indianfields Township Cemetery at Caro, Michigan.
Schwaderer was born Aug. 19, 1923, in Saginaw, Mich., to James H. and Estella (Cornell) Schwaderer of Caro. He graduated from Michigan Tech with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering in 1948.
A U. S. Navy veteran of World War II, he served as a petty officer on the staff of Admiral Chester W. Nimitz.
He was a professional civil engineer and professional land surveyor in Michigan, Alaska and West Virginia for more than 50 years. He was a Fellow and Life Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and a Life Member of the Alaska Society of Professional Land Surveyors.
He moved his family to Juneau in 1960, where he worked for the Alaska Department of Highways. He became chief construction engineer after the earthquake in 1964. He moved to Beckley, W.V., in 1968, where he was assistant vice president for civil engineering at Gates Engineering. He returned to Alaska in 1970 and was a partner in the Anchorage firm of Bomhoff & Associates, and Arctic Surveys. In 1976, he organized his own firm and formed a partnership with George R. Budka of Tonsina. He moved his home and office to Wasilla in 1984, where he worked until retirement in 1999.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert W. Schwaderer of Big Rapids, Mich. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Geraldine, of Wasilla; daughter and son-in-law Carol and Doug Dickinson of Anchorage; son and daughter-in-law Fred and Leslie Schwaderer of Willow; daughter and son-in-law Patty and Jim Robar of Anchorage; grandchildren Bridget and John Atchison of Anchorage, Kevin and Christy Robar of Ormond Beach, Fla., Cheryl and Kris Hartbauer of Fairbanks, Hilary Schwaderer of Palmer, Gillian and Chris Wright of Wasilla; and great-grandchildren Lily and Tacy Atchison, Alexia, Colton and Baylor Wright.
Memorial donations may be made to Mat-Su Regional Homecare and Hospice or the charity of your choice.
Muriel Ann Oakes
Muriel Ann Oakes died Dec. 15 due to natural causes.
Muriel was born in Cordova Sept. 7, 1932. Her father, Oscar Olson was Alaska’s territorial Marshal and her mother’s brother, Alaska Gov. William Egan. With her parents (Oscar and Ethel Olson) and sisters (Dorothy and Virginia), Muriel grew up in what is now downtown Anchorage.
Muriel married her sweetheart, Nathan J. “Whitey” Oakes in 1950. married for 58 years they had four children. Surviving children are; Hannah (Debra), Nathan (Red), Oscar (Tim) and Teresa (Terri). Their children blessed them with 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Muriel loved being wife and mother. She did whatever she could to help in her husband’s success and always let her family know how to reach her. She shared her passion for rollerskating with her children and spent many hours on the rink with them. Christmas was always fun because Muriel loved giving gifts. Her humor and laughter were enjoyed by everyone that associated with her.
After moving to Big Lake, she instilled within her children a love for the water. Many days she spent teaching them to swim and water ski. Evenings, she and Whitey were dancing, playing cards or at home enjoying each other’s company. During summer, their home was decorated with begonias, that Muriel started in her greenhouse. She loved gardening and worked diligently to beautify the cabin and yard.
As the children grew up and had families of their own, Muriel and Whitey traveled. They grew to love Laughlin, Nev., and made many friends there. They traveled various states and spent time in Utah visiting their granddaughters and great-grandchildren. In addition, they would often go to California to visit with Muriel’s sister, and best friend, Virginia.
Muriel, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend will be missed.
The services will be privately held by the remaining family members.
Linda Ledford
Anchorage resident Linda Kay Ledford, 64, died Dec. 6, from complications of Alzheimer’s disease at St. Francis assisted living house.
Ms. Ledford was born June. 25, 1944, in Seneca, Mo., to Otis O. and Georgia L. Ledford. She was raised by her adoptive family, the Legers, in Missouri.
She first moved to Alaska in 1973, from Amboy, Wash., with her first husband, Ronald A. Flory Sr., and five children with one due to be delivered in September. She moved several times with her family from the state of Alaska for short periods but always found her way back.
Linda worked in several fields, retail, management, security and was proud that she was a licensed beautician, a certified nurses assistant, and held a Class A commercial drivers license.
She remarried two times after first husband to, David Dowd, and last to Dave Howlett.
She is survived by her six children, Viola Krumanaker, Regina Yarbrough, Angela Motta, Ronald Flory Jr., Nancy Emmi and Linda Hendrick. Her 15 grandchildren, Levi, Derek, Aden, Cody, Brittany, Tiffany, Rachael, Nadya, Saleem, Nick, Sara. Chantelle, Anna, Emily and Chance. Her two great grandchildren, Logan and Loran. Also surviving are her sisters Carol Wilfong of California, Patricia of Grants Pass, Ore., Sandra Moreland of Missouri, Aldacarol Bonebreak of Anderson, Mo., and her brother Dan of California.
Ms. Ledford is preceded in death by her sister Sharon, her brother Jerry, and one grandchild, Cheyenne.
Special thanks for the staff at St. Francis assisted living house, Lois Salontai of the Alzheimer’s resource agency, Providence Hospice and the many other caregivers for helping Linda be happy, comfortable and safe.
Linda was cremated in Wasilla and her ashes will be scattered in Missouri in accordance with her wishes.
Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory was in charge of arrangements.
Verna L. Turner
Mrs. Verna L. Turner, 55 passed away Nov. 11 at her residence in Wasilla of natural causes.
Mrs. Turner was born July 8, 1953 in Wood River, Ill. She moved to Alaska in 1987.
Mrs. Turner enjoyed crocheting blankets and dolls and playing Bingo.
Mrs. Turner was preceded in death by her mother, Hazel Kleber. She is survived by her father, Heywood Kleber of Prinevile, Ore.; daughters Melissa Willis of Wasilla, Barbara Pillians of Fort Drum, N.Y., Raelyn Burton of Salem, Ore., Miranda Bennett of Willow, Bethany Robinson, of Wasilla; sons Norman Turner of Toledo, Ore., William Turner of Big Lake, Brandon Burton of Big Lake, Myles Turner of Wasilla. Also surviving her are sisters Lana Koenemann of Springfield, Ore., Lee Schlitzkus of Salem, Ore.; grandchildren Amber and William, Ryan and Stephanie, Savannah and Dominick and Aaron, Jayna and Angel and Shelby, Dallas and Myla; former husband, Ritchie Turner of Eagle River; caregiver, Carolyn Hoekzema of Wasilla plus many adopted children and close family friends.
Her services will be held today at 1 p.m. at the Valley Funeral Home Chapel in Wasilla.
Robert Clifford Berg Sr.
Robert Clifford Berg Sr., 63, died Dec. 2 at home in Wasilla of a heart attack.
A private service was held at the Ninilchik Russian Orthodox Church in Ninilchik with Father Macarius Targonsky. Robert was interred in the Ninilchik Russian Orthodox Cemetery. Pallbearers were Robert Berg Jr., Joseph Cooper, Ryan Lucas, Jerry Cooper, Theodore Cooper, Kelly Haug and Mark Taylor.
Robert was born Jan. 5, 1944 in Minnesota. He moved to Kodiak when he was about 5 years old until 1989 when he moved to Soldotna, then Anchorage, and last year Wasilla.
Robert loved to visit and be around good company, but most of all he enjoyed being around his family and doing anything outdoors.
He is survived by his five children, Joseph M. Cooper, Sandra Carol Olsen, Anna Gamez, Robert C. Berg Jr., and Julie Haug; sister Julie Cooper and three nephews, Theodore Cooper, Leroy Cooper, Jerry Cooper and 10 grandchildren.
Memorial donations can be mailed to:
C/O Anna Gamez
Robert Berg Memorial
800 Sulatna Bay
Wasilla, AK 99654
Arrangements were with Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary.
ROGER C. TABOR
Palmer resident Roger C. Tabor, 70, died peacefully from a long illness Dec. 12, 2008, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer while surrounded by his family.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 18 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 501 E. Bogard Road, Wasilla, with Rev. Duane Hanson officiating. Burial will take place at Ft. Richardson following the service.
Tabor was born Feb. 24, 1938, to Myrtle and Frank Tabor in Bluefield, W.V. He came to Alaska in 1971 and had lived in Anchorage and Wasilla prior to moving to Palmer.
He was in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1977 and served three tours in Vietnam working as a boom operator on KC 135 tankers. After leaving the Air Force, he managed and later owned Muldoon Texaco in Anchorage until 1991. He then moved to Wasilla and managed Knik Tire and Auto for his good friend, Herb Rosencrans, until retiring in 2001.
Tabor was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, camping and skeet shooting, but he especially loved fishing.
His family wrote, “His love of people and congenial personality were his greatest strengths. He had the gift of gab and never met a stranger. He had a multitude of interesting, funny and true stories that entertained and delighted everyone. His grandchildren were a constant joy, and he was very proud of his family.”
He was preceded in death by his son, Steven M. Tabor.
Tabor is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Ginny Tabor; son and daughter-in-law, Tony and Cheri Tabor; son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Kim Tabor; daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Justin Morris; daughter-in-law, Chris Tabor; grandchildren, Steven Paul Tabor, Kimberly Tabor, Kamryn Tabor and Kailyn Tabor, all of Alaska.
Memorial donations may be made to Mat-Su Regional Homecare and Hospice or the charity of your choice.
Dale Blatchford
Dale Robert Blatchford, 45, died Nov. 30, 2008, at Alaska Regional Hospital.
A service was held Dec. 4 at Palmer Moose Lodge with the Rev. Rocky from St. John’s Lutheran Church officiating.
Dale was born Dec. 8, 1962 in Palmer, to Henry “Doc” Blatchford and Irene “Jean” Irons.
His employment brought him to many communities within Alaska. He married Effie “Jeanie” Wassillie on Aug. 4, 1996. He lived in Palmer, Delta Junction, South Naknek, Dillingham, Nome and Anchorage.
Blatchford was a lifelong Alaska resident who loved hunting, fishing and trapping. He played for Palmer Youth Activities from T-ball to all-stars, football and basketball.
His family wrote, “Dale had a laugh that would fill a room from wall to wall.”
He is survived by his parents, Doc Blatchford, and Irene “Jean” and Donald Snovel of Palmer; wife Jeanie Blatchford of South Naknek; son Uriah Blatchford of South Naknek; stepson Travis Wassillie of South Naknek; stepdaughter Crystal Wassillie of Anchorage; adopted son Byron Blatchford-Peterson of Anchorage; sisters Karen (Jake) MacDonald of Wasilla and Isabella Blatchford of Washington state; brothers Craig and Glen Blatchford of Palmer and Henry (Waynette) Lax of Washington state; six grandchildren; nephew Nathan Lax of Washington; nieces Stevie Blatchford of South Dakota, Amanda Lax of California and Holly, Olivia and Isabella Blake of Wasilla; and numerous other family members, including dear Uncle Jack.
Donations may be sent to the Wells Fargo account No. 2272544459. Friends may send condolences to the Snovel’s, 1260 S. Badger Road, Palmer, AK 99645.
