Huge Marriages Search Engine!
MAXINE THOMPSON
Meadow Lakes resident Maxine Mae Thompson, 76, passed away Aug. 30, 2008 at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. No service was held as per her request.
Thompson was born Aug. 29, 1932 in Demmock, W.V. She came to Alaska in the mid 1950s and had lived in many towns and areas of the state. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Wasilla.
Thompson was a devoted mother and grandmother. She was the center of the family and will be greatly missed by both family and friends, her family wrote.
Her sense of humor and deep compassion highlighted her “can-do” personality. She passed on a legacy of hard work, individual responsibility and doing the right things in life, her family said.
She is survived by her sister Carol Sue Nance of New Mexico; brother Frank Thompson of Georgia; son Myrl Thompson and daughter Laura Coleman of the Meadow Lakes area; grandsons P.J. Clark, Seth Moore and Brody Coleman; great-grandson Tyler Clark and great-granddaughter Kayleigh Moore.
Jay Clifford Hudson
On Dec. 2, Jay Clifford Hudson, 52, of Hudson Air Service, passed away at Alaska Native Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer.
The oldest of four children, he leaves his father Cliff, his mother Ollie, three brothers, Bruce, Chuck and Scott, and his two precious sons, Dustin and Clifford, whom he loved dearly. He also leaves his uncles Allan Dahl, Dusty Robson and many cousins.
Born in Palmer and raised in Talkeetna, Jay graduated from Susitna Valley High. He was the first newspaper boy, and learned to fly from his father’s lap. He soloed at the age of 16, the youngest at that time in the state of Alaska. From a pioneering family of Alaska bush pilots, Jay became well-known and highly respected throughout the flying world. He participated in many Denali mountain rescues and was awarded for his services, his safety, and his concern for those in need.
He will be sadly missed by his family, his friends, and the large community of climbers and pilots whose lives he touched.
A funeral will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Church of the Rock in Talkeetna followed by a graveside service at the Talkeetna Cemetery.
Valley Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.
James Lee Gohr
James Lee Gohr, 46, died Dec. 12 at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.
Services will be held today at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Palmer with a visitation at 11 a.m. and Mass at noon. Reception immediately following the service.
James was born March 5, 1963 in Anchorage.
He was a heavy equipment mechanic in Palmer and Nome.
James enjoyed woodworking, fishing, hunting and racing cars. His family wrote, “James was very generous, caring and helpful. He could fix anything mechanical.
“He enjoyed the outdoors whether it was hunting, berry picking, fishing, snow machining or four-wheeling.”
He is survived by his wife, Anna Marie Pushruk, of Palmer, step-daughters Nikki Alto of Anchorage, Kristy Pushruk, and many grandchildren, mother Marie Gohr, step-father Jess Hartman, of Palmer, sister and brother-in-law Beverly and Dan May, nephews Rick and his wife, Heidi and their daughter Twila May, Nathan and his wife, Athena and their children Zoe and Zea May all of Fairbanks, Pat and his wife, Chrissy and daughter Brooke May of Washington, brother Ed and Birdie Gohr, nieces Caitlin, Gabriella and Gracelynn Gohr of Anchorage.
James was preceded in death by his father, Lee H. Gohr.
Arrangements were entrusted to Legacy Funeral Homes and Cremation Services - Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.
Harry William Brunnhoelzl
Long-time Valley resident Harry William Brunnhoelzl Jr., 65, died Dec. 3 at home with his family after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
A memorial service will be at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 19, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 432 Fireweed, in Palmer. The Rev. Thomas Brundage will officiate. A hosted reception will be held after the service downstairs at St. Michael’s.
Harry was born April 30, 1944, to Harry and Nancy Brunnhoelzl in Oceanside, N.Y. He graduated from Oceanside High School in 1962 and attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis., for two years.
In 1976, Harry moved with his family to Palmer. He owned three mechanical contracting companies during his time in Alaska and worked until the time of his illness.
Harry was an avid outdoorsman. He loved shotgun shooting and had a vision of building a world-class sporting clay facility in Alaska. Harry enjoyed flying, hunting and spending time at his Canyon Lake property.
The family wrote, “Harry cared deeply about and loved spending time with his family. He was well-known and well-liked by people in the construction trades and shotgun shooting community in Alaska. We will all miss him.”
Harry is survived by his wife of 45 years, Barbara; daughter Faith; son and daughter-in-law Chris and Nicole, all of Palmer; daughter and son-in-law Amy and Chris Musick of Richland, Wash., ; daughter-in-law Arlene of Wasilla; mother and father Nancy and Harry, Sr. of Key Largo, Fla.; mother-in-law Millicent Erickson of Clarks Summit, Pa.; sister and brother-in-law Jo-Ann and Philip Cittadino of West Palm Beach, Fla.; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Susan and Philip Bullwinkel of Clarks Summit, Pa.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Pat Erickson of High Point, N.C.; grandson Jeremiah of Portland, Ore.; grandsons Beau and Daniel of Wasilla; granddaughter and grandson Alyssa and Cade Musick of Richland; grandson and granddaughters Braden, Brooke and Bailey of Palmer; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Josephina and Vincenzo Grande; paternal grandparents Frederick and Marie Brunnhoelzl; father-in-law Burton Erickson; and son Harry, III.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center Home Care & Hospice, 950 E Bogard Rd. Ste. 132, Wasilla, AK 99654 or Pancreatic Cancer Research through The Lustgarten Foundation, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714 or www.lustgarten.org.
Arrangements are with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.
Maria DeLane Zagula
Maria DeLane Zagula, 42, died unexpectedly Nov. 24 at her home in Trapper Creek. She was born in Atlanta on Dec. 30, 1966.
Maria was a competitive ice skater from age 7 to 17 and skated with ‘Disney On Ice’ from 1983 to 1985. In 1995 and 1996 she also skated in Bush Gardens Ice show. On June 20, 1987, she married Michael J. Zagula at Stone Mountain Park in Georgia. Upon leaving the ice shows, she taught skating in Georgia, Colorado and Florida. Her family said, “She was the world’s best mom.”
Her passion was showing dogs including her champion Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Mushi.
Maria leaves behind Michael, her loving husband of 22 years, and daughter Tiffany in Trapper Creek as well as her parents June and Elmo Shupe of Big Lake, her aunt Patti Shupe and cousin Christian Shupe.
The family request contributions to Tiffany’s education fund at Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union in lieu of flowers.
There is a celebration of her life planned for Dec. 30. Details are not complete. Call her mom at 715-7007 or husband at 841-3498 for more information.
Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.
Rodolfo S. Sales
Rodolfo Sales, 75, died Dec. 9.
He was born March 10, 1934. He was known to most as Tatay. He was an avid lottery player. Those who knew him best knew that whenever Tatay had the opportunity to buy a lottery ticket, he had his pencil and paper ready. He meticulously chose a mix of numbers in hopes that he held the winning combo. He would always tell the family, “when I win the lottery, I’ll give you whatever you want.” Little did he know, he already gave his family everything they could ever want and need. A devoted husband of 53 years; affectionate, doting father and grandfather; respected, well-loved relative; and generous, care-free compadre, he, in fact, is the winning combination.
Surrounded by loved ones, his battle with lung cancer ended peacefully on Dec. 9.
Tatay’s eldest son, Domino, along with his parents and four siblings, who have gone before us, are anxiously awaiting to be reunited with him. Tatay’s memory lives on through his beautiful, loving wife, Norma; four adoring daughters, Vee, Tini, Nancy and Joan; two charming sons, Simon and Raymond; five dedicated in-laws, Marifi, Boyette, Vinvent, Joey, and Gem; 15 vibrant grandchildren, Tisha, Tim, Frances, Jan, Catherine, Bel, Evin, Chiqui, Xander, Jacob, Julia, Miko, Tooper, Dominick, and Justin; along with numerous relatives and friends.
On Wednesday, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, viewing will be held from 9 a.m. followed by a Catholic funeral Mass at 11 a.m.
Charles R. McKenzie
Charles R. “Charlie” McKenzie of Wasilla, 72, passed away Nov. 18 in Palmer from complications due to pneumonia. He was surrounded by his family. Charlie was born on June 30 1937 at Clayton, Okla., to Essie and Rufus McKenzie. He was raised in Clayton and Calera, Okla., by Sam and Essie Ralston.
Charlie joined the Army as teenager and was a paratrooper who fought in the Korean War. Charlie was especially proud of his military service.
Charlie received a masters degree in mechanical engineering from Rice University after his military service. He worked for an engineering firm that helped design parts for the early manned space orbiter missions conducted by NASA.
Charlie and his wife Betty were married after a long courtship. He brought her and five step-children to Alaska in 1972. Later he worked for RCA/Alascom building satellite/microwave communication stations in remote Alaska connecting the vast Alaska wilderness with the rest of the world. Charlie was a hard core Alaskan enjoying all of the activities the Alaska wilderness could provide. Always up for a challenge, Charlie built a home in Peters Creek and enjoyed the experience so much he became a full-time home builder and spent the rest of his life building homes in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.
He is survived by his wife Betty McKenzie, mother Essie Ralston, brother Sam, step-sons Jerry Cogdill, Gary Cogdill and wife Fran, Larry Cogdill and Ursula Hanna, Terry Cogdill and step-daughter Peggy Barber, grandchildren Serra Cogdill, Chelsea Cogdill, Lalaneya Wilkes, J.R. Cogdill, Elizabeth Cogdill, Shalayna Barber, great-grandchildren Taylor Cork, Sydney Tyler, Dylan Cogdill, Payton Cork, Gracie Cogdill, Ryan Cogdill and Kaylee Wilkes and many friends all over Alaska, Oklahoma, New Mexico, California and Texas.
The family would like to say, “Charlie was a great husband, father and son and will be missed by all of the people whose lives he touched, may he rest in peace.”
He was preceded in death by his father, Rufus McKenzie, step-father Sam Ralston and son Lathe McKenzie.
A graveside service with military honors will be held Saturday at 2 p.m., at the Calera, Okla., cemetery. It will be followed immediately by a food and fellowship get-together at the Calera Nutrition Center.
Charlie asked that in lieu of flowers, please give to your local charity to help others in need.
BARBARA KAY BROWN
Palmer resident Barbara Kay Brown, 75, died Aug. 28 at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.
Barbara was born July 11, 1934 in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Perry West Sr. and Marvyl West.
A funeral will be held Sunday at 1 p.m., at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel, 1015 S. Check St., in Wasilla.
She moved to Alaska in 1968 and settled in Palmer in 1969. Barbara married Jerry Brown Sr. and had more than 30 wonderful years together until his death in 1989. She received a degree in occupational therapy and enjoyed helping people overcome their disabilities. She enjoyed baking sweet treats, gardening and reading mysteries. She was well-known for her love for the Bahá’í faith. Barb had a great sense of humor and laughed often. She had a wonderful personality and was known as Gramma to everyone. She loved animals and adopted several dogs and cats from Animal Rescue and the Humane Society.
Her family wrote: “She was the heart and soul of our family and she will be missed terribly.”
She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Jane and Bob Wiles; son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Karen Brown; daughter, Joci Brown; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Sharron Brown; grandchildren, Kris Tibbitts and his wife Alonda, Jayson Tibbitts and his wife Jennifer, Dustin Brown, Meghan Brown, Mitchell Brown, Jerry Brown Jr., Shawna Brown and Gabriel Brown; great-grandchildren, Aiden Tibbitts and Anthony Brown Jr.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Brown Sr. and parents, Perry West Sr. and Marvyl West.
Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage memorial Chapel in Wasilla.
JUSTIN JAY LEMKE
Anchorage resident Justin Jay Lemke, 27, died Sept. 26 at home.
A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel, 440 E. Klatt Road in Anchorage with visitation from noon to 1 p.m., preceding the service. Burial will follow the service at Angelus Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Larry Lemke, Michael Courtney, Ely Smith, Zack Smith, Nikolai Petrov and Jason Newton.
A celebration of life and potluck will be at the American Legion, John Henry Post No. 1, 840 West. Fireweed Lane in Anchorage from 4 to 8 p.m.
Justin was born Sept. 3, 1982 in Anchorage. He was a graduate of Dimond High School. He enjoyed camping and fishing, with his friends and family as well as skateboarding and snowboarding. One of his favorite things to do was working on the drag cars with his father and going to the dragstrips. Music was a big part of Justin’s life. He surrounded himself with all styles of music. He especially enjoyed his cousins Michael’s music.
His family said: “His smile always brought warmth to a room and his laughter spread happiness to those around him. We were blessed by his love and he will be missed by everyone who knew him.”
He is survived by his father, Larry Lemke of Anchorage; mother, Nancy Lemke-Mosley of Fairbanks; step-father, Ron Mosley of Fairbanks; sisters. Jennifer Lemke of Casa Grande, Ariz., and Julia Lemke of Vandalia, Mo.; brother, Ronnie Mosley of Fairbanks; Amanda Anthony, his fiancé of Anchorage; great-grandmother, Gladys Kreider of Bethel; grandparents, William and Shirley Reitzle of Anchorage and Swede and Marnice Foote of Laclede, Idaho; aunts and uncles, Connie and Joel Christianson of Anchorage, Leah and Scott Alden of Portland, Ore., Jeffrey Foote of Laclede Idaho, and Gail Foote of Anchorage; cousins, Michael, Matthew and Madison Courtney of Anchorage, Jessica, John, Eugene, Jeff and Franklin Alden of Portland, Joseph and Jordan Quinn of Anchorage, and John Foote Jr. of Anchorage. Justin will be missed by his large extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Berta Foote-Newcomb; uncle, John Foote; sister, Jullian Lemke; great-grandfather, Johnny Lemke; and second cousin, Ronnie Sumstad.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Justin’s name to Angelus Memorial Park for purchase of a headstone.
