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Joann Unrein
Joann Unrein, 74, of Wasilla, passed with peace March 15, 2010, after her battle with respiratory complications. She had been under the attentive care of family and staff at Mat-Su Regional Hospital.
In honor of her wishes, there will be no public services.
Joann was born Aug. 23, 1935, in Washington, Pa., to George and Martha McBratney.
She married her second husband Eric Unrein on Dec. 31, 1981.
During her employment years she worked on Elmendorf AFB as a warehouse worker and forklift operator for 21 years with the Army Air Force Exchange Service. After her retirement she found enjoyment crafting with stamps and scrapbooking memories, while always having a good stock of homemade salsa and jams.
Her family wrote, “She was a most loving wife and companion to her husband. Family was her main focus in life and her presence will be greatly missed.”
Survivors include her husband, Eric; three children, Wendy K. (Drabeck) Johnson, Colo. Springs, Colo., Robert S. Drabeck II, Bisbee, Ariz., and William M. Drabeck, St. George, Utah; two brothers, Norton Gough and Robert McBratney, both of Washington, Pa.; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is now reunited with parents George and Martha McBratney, and sisters Delores Hatfield and Helen Bauer, whom preceded her in death.
Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.
James E. Deming
Longtime Palmer resident James E. Deming, 85, died March 17, 2010, peacefully at home from complications arising from lung cancer.
Mr. Deming was born March 22, 1924, in Elmira, N.Y., to Walter and Medora Deming. He attended school in Elmira and Nelson, Penn.
Between 1943 and 1945, Mr. Deming served as a corporal in the Army Air Corps with the 84th Depot Repair Squadron, 15th Air Force, in North Africa and Italy.
In 1959, Mr. Deming and his first wife, Betty, joined his parents in Alaska. He married Juanita (Midge) Deming in 1965. In 1968, they purchased and refurbished the old manager’s house in the Matanuska Co-op section of Palmer, where they lived until her death in 2000, and he continued to live until his death.
Mr. Deming belonged to the Wood, Wire and Metal Lathers Union, serving as secretary of the local until its merger with the Carpenter’s Union. Prior to his retirement in 1980 and following 33 years of service, of which the last 20 were as job foreman, Mr. Deming worked on many projects around the state, including Indian Mountain Air Force Station, Sparrevohn Air Force Station and Clear Air Force Station. He also worked on the original Anchorage-Westward Tower, Captain Cook Hotel, original Providence Hospital tower and numerous other projects in the greater-Anchorage area.
He was a avid bowler for many years, at one time carrying an average of 181. Mr. Deming was a life member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, Palmer Lodge 793, serving as governor in 1964. He was also a life member of the Legion of the Moose, served as North Moose and was awarded a fellowship degree. In 1964, Mr. Deming joined the BPOE, Palmer Lodge No. 1842, serving as Grand Exalted Ruler in 1976 and as Lodge Secretary from 1979 to 1989. He served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in 1982-83 and was awarded an honorary life membership in 1989.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Deming was preceded in death by his two brothers, Walter and Frank Deming, and step-son Gordon Yerbich.
He is survived by his sister, Teresa Dorman of Palmer; son Scott Deming of Omaha, Neb.; daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Warren Crowe of Red Oak, Iowa; step-son Thomas Yerbich of Anchorage; step-daughter Bernice Yerbic of Anchorage; and longtime companion Iola Brandsema. Mr. Deming is also survived by nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Monday at the Palmer Elks Lodge, to be followed by a potluck.
The family requests that in keeping with his wishes, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, Hospice or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Ivan Vladimir Frohne
Ivan Vladimir Frohne, 73 died March 14, 2010, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer. Per his request there will be no services held.
Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.
STEPHEN LARRICK FLORES
Beloved son, brother, father, uncle and friend Stephen Larrick “Critter” Flores passed away March 5, 2010, in Anchorage at Providence Extended Care Center from complications of diabetes. He was supported by his family with prayers, but surrounded in comfort by the group NOAH, the wonderful doctors and nurses at the Care Center, along with his best friend of over 30 years, CJ Cook of Wasilla.
Critter was a resident of Wasilla and Talkeetna. He was born in Nacogdoches, Texas, on Sept. 7, 1948. The oldest of eight children, he was always on the move and always looking toward the far horizons and sunsets, either through his travels or his music. After a stint in the Navy, he pursed a career in music as a DJ in radio and nightclubs, traveling around the United States working and living. He lived like most of us dream of doing. Eventually his travels took him to Alaska, then to Keystone, Colo., but he eventually settled back in Alaska, where his heart and soul was. He was our “Jeremiah Johnson, ” carving a life (literally) out of the wilderness; a great outdoorsman.
As his brother Wil states, which is so true, “Critter was a kind and generous person ... liked by all who ever met him, ... and one hell of a good friend to those who crossed his path. His desire to live a free and unprejudiced life was his blessing, and not always appreciated by those who don’t. May God keep him in His loving arms, and one day we will meet him at the top of the mountain that he loved so much. Critter had also chosen these words for his Epitaph: ‘Weep not for me, for now I am wild and free.’”
He is survived by his mother, Billie K. Linzy of Jacksonville, Fla.; brothers, Marshall (Melissa) Flores, Wil (Claudia) Flores, Charlie and John Linzy; step-brothers Jeff and Jon Linzy; CJ Cook (best friend and brother in spirit); sisters, Mona (Bruce) Peterson, Johnnetta Scott, Mary Anne Castro and Rose Garza; and nephew Stephen Flores, as well as many more uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Critter also leaves behind his beloved half-wolf dog, Worthless, who now resides with CJ Cook and family in Wasilla.
And for those who prefer to, memorial contributions maybe made to The American Diabetes Association.
Arrangements entrusted to the Cremation Society of Alaska.
Mary Inez Ahmii Maasuk Atoruk
A funeral for Palmer resident Mary Inez Ahmii Maasuk Atoruk, 29, will be at 11 a.m. on Friday at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel, 1015 S. Check St., in Wasilla. A visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Burial will be at a later date at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery.
Mary died March 20, 2010, at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage. She was born in Barrow on Feb. 7, 1981, and has been a lifelong Alaskan. She was a 2003 graduate of Colony High School. She attended church with her guardians and foster parents.
She loved listening to music, socializing with people, eating and shopping. She especially enjoyed having her hair brushed and massages.
According to her guardians, “Mary was a joy to many people. She touched so many people’s lives with her infectious smile and unconditional love. Though she had many physical limitations, she had no limits on her heart. She will be missed by many and was loved by all who knew her.”
She is survived by her guardian, Kathy McKelvey and family; her foster mother, Lianne Schwartz and family; and her other foster mother, Diane Wirtanen and family; and the countless caregivers in her life.
Arrangements were entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel & Crematory in Wasilla.
Daniel T. Lemmon
Wasilla resident Daniel T. Lemmon, 64, died Dec. 27, 2009, at his home after a lengthy illness.
He was born May 25, 1946, to Tom and Marie Lemmon in Ventura, Calif. Daniel was a graduate from Moorpark High School as well as from Eastern Washington University with a degree in communications.
He was an Air Force Vietnam War veteran serving for four years.
Daniel was a commercial fisherman for many years in Alaska waters. Mr. Lemmon traveled extensively all over the world.
He especially loved Mexico as well as South and Central America. He also had a soft spot for Spain.
He is preceded in death by his father, Tom Lemmon, and sister-in-law, Judy Lemmon.
Daniel is survived by his mother, Marie of Squim, Wash.; son, Travis of Olympia, Wash.; daughter, Sonya of Oregon; brothers, Paul of Norfolk, Calif.; Phil of Blaine, Wash.; and sister, Diane of Maui. He is also survived by his very special friend Christine of Scotland and his dear friend Si of Wasilla.
Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.
Bonnie Jean Lane
Bonnie “BJ” Jean Lane was born to the late Theodore “Ted” and Alice Chaney Oct. 3, 1942, and died Feb. 11, 2010, of a stroke at age 67.
Bonnie and her husband Arnold “Arnie” had just moved back to Michigan in April 2009 after 23 years of living in Alaska. She retired from GCI’s Wasilla branch after 18 years of service, where she served as a telephone operator, specializing in TTY/TDD, finishing her service in the customer service department. She was a dedicated TOPS (KOPS) member. She enjoyed being apart of TOPS and made many friends along the way.
She would open her home to anyone who wanted to visit Alaska and enjoyed playing tour guide and showing off the beautiful place that she called home.
She left behind many friends and a love for Alaska to move back to where she grew up in Williamsburg, Mich., to be close to family, which she loved very much. She was a proud, caring, generous individual who had a zest for life and will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.
She is survived by her husband, Arnold Lane; her children, Mike Jacobson, Darlyn Jacobson and Annette Jacobson of Williamsburg, David (Rita) Lane, William “Billy” Lane and Tina Lane of Traverse City, Mich.; her sisters, Eleanor Blissett of Lake Orion, Mich., and Vera (Al) Egeler of Manistee, Mich.; 13 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her step-son, Daniel Lane, and granddaughter, Chantal Jacobson.
She was cremated and a memorial service will be held sometime in the future.
JOSEPH WARREN TESTER
Joseph Warren Tester, 80, passed away Dec. 6, 2009, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer. Born Feb. 3, 1929, in Brinsmade, N.D., Joe came to Alaska with his family from Oregon in 1974 to fulfill his dreams of living in The Last Frontier.
Joe was an avid hunter who enjoyed an occasional trip back to Oregon to bird hunt with family and friends. He was a glazier by trade and retired from IUPAT No. 1959 in 1982. He was also a member of Western Glaziers Union No. 740 in Oregon. His family will remember him lovingly and hold him dear to their hearts.
Joe is survived by Dolores, his wife of 61 years; his four children, Linda, Rocky and Matt, all of Oregon, and Becky from Wasilla; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His request was to be cremated with no services at this time.
Cremation arrangements by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel & Crematory, Wasilla Chapel.
Wade Thomas Weitzel
On March 16, 2010, surrounded by his loving family, Wade passed gently and peacefully away after fighting a lengthy illness.
Wade Thomas Weitzel was born Aug. 12, 1957 in Lander, Wyo.
He will be forever remembered as a loving husband; father, brother, uncle and grandparent. Wade loved being with family and playing with his grandchildren. A man with a huge heart, who took his dog Misty home in his shirt pocket and bottle fed from the day she was born. Wade brought love and laughter to all around him and that legacy will continue on in his memory.
Wade first came to Alaska in 1957 and became a lifelong Alaskan. Growing up in Alaska, he loved the adventures. An avid hunter and fisher who loved to ride snowmachines and motorcycles in 1960s Alaska, Wade got his first motorcycle, a Honda 70, at age 10. Traveling all around the state during the summers with his family as a child, he watched his father help construct the roads of Alaska. Wade had countless adventures growing up riding around on construction equipment. An Army veteran and a master mechanic, he liked to have bonfires and family barbecues in his backyard. His hero was John Wayne and he loved old Western movies. Wade was loved by family and friends alike who all will miss his smile and zest for life and family.
Wade was survived by his wife Mary McCarter, sisters Regina Weitzel, Gayle (Paul) Schroeder; his children Thomas (Lisa) Weitzel, Stacey (Robert) Valdez, Wade Jr. (Marlu) Weitzel, nephews Jamie, Jason and Jeremiah Brewington; nieces Sherri and Jennifer Schroeder; and step-mother Earleen Weitzel; 10 grandchildren and many great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother Dorine Frary Weitzel and father Evert “Vern” Weitzel and his sister Millie Weitzel.
Arrangements for the funeral and a celebration of life for Wade will be held on Thursday at 1:30 p.m., at Ft. Richardson National Cemetery. Anyone planning on attending please meet at the gate by 1:15 p.m. There will be a Celebration of Life to follow the graveside services at 3 p.m., at Palmer Elk’s Lodge, 2600 N. Barry’s Resort Drive in Wasilla.
Donations for the family can be made to Valley Food Bank in Wade’s name.
Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla.
DELORES ANN DUNN
Palmer resident Delores Ann Dunn, 62, died at her home Jan. 28, 2000. There will be a graveside service in Riverton, Wyo., in the spring.
Mrs. Dunn was born in Caney, Kan., on March 3, 1937, to Roy and Clara (Long) Cassity. She graduated in 1955 from Riverton High School in Riverton, Wyo.
She and her family moved to Alaska in 1965 from Wyoming. She worked as registrar at Anchorage Community College from 1965 to 1972. In 1984 she and her husband left Alaska to become snow birds and travel. She returned in December 1998 to be with family while she was being treated for cancer. She enjoyed reading, spending time with family and friends and fishing.
According to her family, Delores was a beautiful, strong woman with a joy for life that touched everyone she met. She really enjoyed spending her last year with her children and grandchildren.
Mrs. Dunn is survived by her daughters, Lynn Aro and Stacey Sargent; grandchildren, Blake, Carrie, Sara, Sean and Abby; mother, Clara Cassity, and siblings, Joyce Jones, Jim Cassity and Gary Cassity. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and oodles and oodles of friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Jack Cassity, and her beloved husband, Philip Dunn.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Mat-Su, 3051 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy., Wasilla, AK 99654.
Arrangements for the family were made by Kehls Palmer Mortuary.
