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ELEANOR WHITNEY BURNELL STEVENS
Eleanor Whitney Burnell Stevens, 90, died in her sleep of natural causes Jan. 22, 2000, at the Palmer Pioneers Home.
In accordance with her wishes, no services will be held. Her ashes will be scattered at Flat Lake and in the Anchorage area.
Mrs. Stevens was born in Onami, Minn., on April 12, 1909. She received a degree from the University in Minnesota in 1932, was a mathematician and became the first female CPA in the United States.
She lived in Anchorage from 1945 to 1980, in Seward from 1980 to 1985 and in Palmer since 1985. As a CPA she had been self-employed, worked for the Alaska Railroad and at various insurance companies in Minnesota. She retired in 1956.
Friends wrote: Eleanor came to Alaska in 1945 with her husband, Clark S. Stevens, to work on the railroad. They bought a guest home that sat behind Judge Wickershams home on 5th Avenue and I Street and had it moved to two acres on W. 35th in Spenard, where they lived with their dogs and flowers. Eleanor had a stroke and stayed home as long as possible, then moved to a Seward nursing home while she waited to get into the Pioneers Home.
She moved into the Palmer Pioneers Home in 1985 and lived there until her death.
Mrs. Stevens enjoyed raising Sitka roses, taking care of dogs, and going to their island property on Flat Lake near Big Lake. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Pioneers of Alaska and Beta Sigma Phi.
She is survived by her nephew and his wife, Robert and Doreen Whitney, of Utah, and her niece and her husband, Pat and Dale, of Minnesota.
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home.
JOHN PAUL KING
Palmer resident John Paul King, 81, died at his home Jan. 17, 2000. A memorial Mass for Mr. King will be held 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, at St. Michaels Catholic Church, 432 E. Fireweed, Palmer. The Rev. Leo Desso will officiate.
Arrangements for the family were made by Kehls Palmer Mortuary.
GERALD SIDNEY RICHMOND
Gerald Sidney Richmond passed away Jan. 10, 2000, in Anchorage. Born in Brainard, Minn., to Bertha (Newman) and Norman Richmond on June 14, 1931, Mr. Richmond was raised and educated in the northern Minnesota towns of Federal Dam and Boy River.
He enjoyed basketball, football and track in school, and hunted, fished and trapped whenever he could. He worked as a heavy equipment operator while still a teenager, and accepted positions that took him to North Africa and Alaska before settling in Easton, Wash., in 1955. Mr. Richmond raised mink there for 17 years. A self-taught geneticist, he developed a strain of black mink that became known throughout the world. Mr. Richmonds other business interests included raising cattle on Sitkalidak Island in Alaska, developing several new colors of ranch-raised foxes, and importing and selling Asian herbal medicines. Mr. Richmond traveled throughout the world. He was able to find something in common with everyone he met.
His family said he was always dreaming and scheming about his next adventure, of which there were many. He was generous and trusting, seldom bothering with such minor details as contracts or formal agreements. He made and lost a fortune several times over, as well as enabling dozens of his friends to catch the vision and cash in on his ideas.
Mr. Richmond is survived by his parents and two brothers, Stuart Richmond, of Cle Elum, Wash., and Dennis, of Minnesota. His sister, Norma, preceded him in death in November 1999. His children, of whom he was very proud, include Judi Davidson and Russell Richmond, of Wasilla; Jim Richmond, of Yakima, Wash.; David and Adam Richmond, both of Seattle; and Forest, Roy and Charles Richomond, of Honolulu, Hawaii. He had nine grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, at the Morning Star Building in Wasilla at 2850 Broadview Ave., behind the Mat-Su Cinema.
LALLIE L. DILLON
Longtime Alaska resident Lallie L. Dillon, 95, died at the Palmer Pioneers Home on Feb. 15, 2000. Funeral services for Mrs. Dillon were held at 3 p.m., Friday, Feb. 18, at Kehls Palmer Mortuary Chapel, 209 S. Alaska St., Palmer.
A visitation was held one hour prior to the service. Interment took place at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery immediately following the service.
Mrs. Dillon was born in Brownwood, Texas, on Jan. 6, 1905, to Joseph A. and Verna E.(Stebbens) Williams. She attended schools in Brownwood majoring in business.
Prior to coming to Alaska, she was publisher and editor of a small newspaper in Brenham, Texas. She also worked for the Houston Post in Houston, Texas.
In 1963, she came to Alaska with her son, Joel, his wife Bobbie and their children. She had lived in the Pioneer Home for the last 22 years.
According to her family, She was a devoted Christian who always thought of her family.
Mrs. Dillon is survived by her son, H. Eugene Read, of Anchorage, sister, Maxine Spivey, of Brownwood, Texas; grandson, Joel Read, of Palmer; granddaughters, Karen Read, of Eagle River, Emily Read and Janet Read, both of Anchorage, Susan Edge, of Palmer, Janet Mullins, of Tulsa, Okla., and Amy Read, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; five great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters.
In addition she is survived by several nieces and nephews in Texas and her daughter-in-law, Bobbie (Read) Brophy.
She was preceded in death in 1984 by her son, Joel Read Sr., of Palmer; two husbands, Hicks Read and Earnest Dillon, and her brothers, Joe and Carl Williams.
Arrangements for the family were made by Kehls Palmer Mortuary.
DALE E. STETLER
Palmer resident Dale Edward Stetler, 43, died Feb. 18, 2000, in an accident in Anchorage.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at Wasilla Bible Church, with Pastor David Strickland of Wasilla First Presbyterian Church officiating. Cremation will follow services.
Pallbearers will be Kirk Gibbs, Neil Shanahan, Leo Kuch, Buddy Eveland, Tom Proge and Greg LaCoy. A gathering of family and friends will follow the services at the AMVETS building on Wasilla-Fishhook Road.
Mr. Stetler was born March 2, 1956, in Chico County, Calif. He completed high school, and became an Alaska resident in 1980. He lived in Anchorage prior to moving to Palmer 15 years ago.
He worked from 1998 to 1999 for Nabors Drilling and from 1991 to the present for Alaska Pollution Control Inc.
He was a member of the National Barrel Horse Association and his great passion was Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Family members said: Dale had a childlike innocence, wonder and appreciation for all that was good in life. He was never negative. He had the ability to make new acquaintances feel comfortable and at ease. He never met a stranger. He was always supportive and encouraging. Dale was a wonderful husband, stepfather and friend. Dale had a sense of humor and supportive nature about him that could lift anyones heart.
Survivors are his wife, Carrie Stetler; stepchildren, Jeremy Cotton, P.J. OConnor and Letty Ingram; sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Trent Galart; brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Cindy Stetler; sister-in-law, Cheryl Jacobson; stepfather, Gene Mortenson; nephews, Matthew and Stephen Stetler, Cory and Jay Stetler, and Troy and Garrett Galart.
He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Stetler; mother, Marjorie Mortenson, and brother, Michael Stetler.
Memorial contributions may be made to account #2101871823, at any branch of National Bank of Alaska.
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory of Wasilla.
ROBERT WESLEY ROWLAND
Palmer resident Robert Wesley Rowland, 71, succumbed to melanoma cancer at his home on Feb. 20, 2000. A memorial service was held at Feb. 24, at the United Protestant Presbyterian (U.P.) Church. The Rev. Tim Carrick and Leisa Carrick will officiate. A private graveside service will be held at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery.
Mr. Rowland was born June 8, 1928, in Spokane, Wash., to James and Minnie (Williamson) Rowland. His childhood was spent in Spokane, where he also graduated from high school. He followed that with four years at Washington State College at Pullman, Wash. While there, he met and married Gayle Eckert of Palmer, his ticket to Alaska and the adventure of a lifetime.
He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War aboard the repair ship, Ajax, finishing his tour of duty at Adak. He was discharged in Alaska and finally able to join Gayle in Palmer in 1955.
Mr. Rowland worked for the Matanuska Cooperative for 10 years and later for Charles Brown Services. He finished his active working career at Palmer Machinery as a machinist and welder. In retirement he enjoyed his own shop, R and R Services.
His interests were as varied as Alaska. They included several boats, annual hunting camps and the comradery that goes with the late-night campfires. He was involved in youth baseball as well as in an adult softball league.
He enjoyed singing, and the choir at the United Protestant Presbyterian Church was a special part of his life, as were the youth of the church for many years. His membership in the Alaska Outdoor Council in later years was important to him. The family recreation cabin at John Lake provided a variety of outdoor adventures. At home, one of his hobbies was the nourishing of unusual trees and shrubs on the acreage surrounding their home.
He is loved and missed by his spouse of 48 years, Gayle; sons and daughters-in-law, James and Marla and Steve and Debbie, all of Palmer, Lee, of Santa Barbara and Dale and Jenny, of Fairbanks, and his daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Kip Norris, of Valdez.
He is also survived by his brother, Ken Rowland, of Palmer. In addition he is survived by 12 grandchildren, all of whom live in Alaska.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the United Protestant Presbyterian Choir Robe fund, 713 S. Denali, Palmer, AK 99645, or the Alaska Outdoor Council, P.O. Box 73902, Fairbanks, AK 99707.
Arrangements for the family were made by Kehls Palmer Mortuary.
MARY ELIZABETH JOHNSON
Mary Elizabeth Johnson died of heart failure at Valley Hospital on Wednesday, Feb. 15. She was 68 years old.
A memorial celebration of Marys life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at Sunny Knik Chapel, Mile 14 Knik Road.
She was born Sept. 9, 1931, at her aunts home in Ionia, Mich. She grew up near Entrican, Mich., with her parents, Doris and Henry Ingraham, and her brother, Duane.
Mary attended nurses training at Hurley Hospital in Flint, Mich.
On a blind date set up by mutual friends, Mary met Harold Johnson, who worked at the General Motors plant as a welder. They married in 1952 and, while on their honeymoon, the couple learned Harry had been drafted to serve in Korea.
Upon his return, Mary and Harry purchased a dairy farm near Six Lakes, Mich. While their four children were still young, Mary went back to work as a registered nurse at Kelsey Hospital in Lakeview, juggling her nursing career with the responsibilities of helping out with the farm and raising four kids.
In 1968, Mary and Harry fulfilled their dream by packing up the kids, dog and a 28-foot house trailer behind the old crew-cab International and heading to Alaska. They arrived in Alaska on June 21 and settled in Knik.
In those days, the economy was largely subsistence and Mary was soon the local resource for medical treatment dispensing advice, remedies, and even stitching up wounds. She and Harry always made room in their home for anyone needing a place to sleep or a plate of hot food. The pool table in her kitchen served as a community gathering place. Their garden fed many people, and they never took a moose or salmon that wasnt shared.
During the first days of the Iditarod, mushers from around Alaska and from Outside stayed with the Johnsons, often for a month or more before the race to train their teams.
In the 1970s, Mary worked for Valley Hospital, where she cared for many Valley residents. She later worked at the Palmer Pioneers Home. After her retirement, she volunteered for years taking blood pressures at the Wasilla Senior Center.
Mary was one of the founding members of the Sunny Knik Chapel, which she attended faithfully for more than 30 years.
Mary played piano for the church for most of that time, until she lost a foot to diabetes and could no longer play. Her love of God sustained many people, and she influenced countless people by her witness of love, generosity and compassion. She was known as Grandma Mary in the community and her loss is felt deeply by many.
Mary is survived by her husband, Harold; daughter, Joan Hope, and her husband, Greg; sons and daughters-in-law, Tom, Dave and Sally, Bill and Teri, and grandchildren, Mandy Hope, and Shiloh, Abbey, Griffen and Eli Johnson.
Her family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Sunny Knik Chapel building fund, HC 30, Box 5474, Wasilla, AK 99654. The family can be reached at HC 30, Box 5404, Wasilla, AK 99654.
AUSTIN FREDRICK MEEKIN JR.
Austin Fredrick Meekin Jr., 77, passed away Feb. 18, 2000, after a battle with cancer, in Henderson, Nev.
A gathering of family and friends, to honor and remember him, will be at Mike and Diane Meekins residence (off Moore Road, across from the fairgrounds) at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27. Call Mike at 745-6159 or Pamella Troutman at 745-1457 for directions. A memorial service will also be held June 14 at Sheep Mountain.
Mr. Meekin was born in Fond du Lac, Wis., on June 14, 1923. After graduation he served three years as an infantryman during World War II.
In 1946 he and his bride, Dorothy, traveled to Alaska and settled in the Sheep Mountain area. There they built and operated Meekins Lodge, home base for his game-guiding business and their six children.
Dorothy died in 1963. Mr. Meekin sold Meekins Lodge in 1969 and moved the operation to Mile 155 Glenn Hwy. As Alaska Wilderness Safaris, he continued to guide hunters and sightseers until 1999, when his health failed.
His family said: Austin was a larger-than-life sourdough, a passing breed in Alaska. His frontier stories held anyone within earshot spellbound, and left them looking forward to the next encounter. Every stranger was a friend, every friend precious to the patriotic outdoorsman. His family remembers a deeply caring man who enriched their lives beyond bounds.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, in August 1963 and his oldest son, Austin F. (Ricky) Meekin III, in December 1968.
He leaves his companion of 15 years, Margaret (Peggy) Woods, of Henderson, Nev.; brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Joan Meekin, of Maryland; children and their spouses, Pamella Troutman, of Palmer, Mike and Diane Meekin, of Palmer, Steve and Beth Meekin, of Henderson, Nev., Jackie and Herb Simon, of Nelchina, and Mark and Donna Meekin, of Sheep Mountain.
He is also survived by his grandchildren: Michel and Sean Woods, of Anchorage; Kristopher and Erin Troutman, of Palmer; Samantha, Paisley, Meagan and Haley Meekin, of Sheep Mountain; and Lisa Scott, of Illinois; four great-grandchildren, and former wife, Marilyn Meekin, of Sheep Mountain.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be given to a charity of your choice.
