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MICHAEL HOWARD CARR
Anchorage resident Michael H. Carr, 34, died July 1, 2000, near Wasilla.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, July 8, at Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla, with Pastor Rick Cavens of St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church of Anchorage officiating.
Visitation will take place from 7-9 p.m. today and from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. tomorrow at Valley Funeral Home. His body will be laid to rest at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery. A post-burial gathering will be at his fathers home in Wasilla.
Mr. Carr was born April 4, 1966, in Ypsilanti, Mich. He moved to Alaska in 1976, and graduated from Wasilla High School in 1984, where he ran in cross-country competitions and played football. He was a journeyman electrician and lived and worked in many villages, including Bethel, Galena, Kipnuk and Kotzebue.
His special interests were baseball, hunting, fishing and snowmachining. He was also an avid long-distance runner and raced in national competitions in track and field events from the age of six.
His family said: Mike was a loving and caring son and a friend to everyone. His humor and easygoing manner portrayed his innocence toward life. He was always laughing and smiling. He lived life to the fullest and did it his way.
Survivors are his father and stepmother, Howard G. and Kathleen Carr, of Wasilla; mother, Lois B. Carr, of Anchorage; brother, Steven Carr, of Bethel; sister, Kimberly Carr, of Eugene, Ore.; daughter, Stephanie Moses-Carr, of Anchorage; son, Ferdinand Andrew, of Tuluksak; grandmother, Myrna Finley, of Ludington, Mich.; grandfather, Frank Yeager, of Ludington, Mich.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins in Michigan.
EARL WILLIAM SKIP GEARNS
Palmer resident Earl William Skip Gearns, 53, died June 29, 2000, at home, surrounded by his family, following a struggle with cancer.
No formal funeral services will be held.
Mr. Gearns was born March 21, 1947, in Northville, Mich. He graduated from high school in Clovis, Calif., and served in the U.S. Army.
He first lived in Alaska in 1973. He left for 10 years and returned to Palmer in 1983 to build a home and live out his life. He drove school buses for Laidlaw Transit in Palmer and loved all the children on his bus. He retired in 1999 due to illness.
He was a member of Farm Loop Christian Center, and loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and camping.
His family said: He was filled with love for all family, friends and neighbors. He helped everyone he could.
Survivors are his wife, Linda; daughters and sons-in-law, Tina and Pal Kanoa, Marni and Ladd Weiland, Monica and Robert Dallmann, and Kitty and Travis Hall; grandchildren, Lacie Pruitt, Nathaniel Shell, Venisha Ling, Talon Gamble, Eric Hamann, Cassidy, Hayli and Blake Weiland, Jesse and Valleri Dallmann, Rebel and Ransom, and Conner and Candler; parents, Art and Mary Wilson, of California; brothers, Chuck Gearns, of Fresno, Calif., Larry Crawford, of Clovis, Calif., Tim McCullough, of Colorado, and John Scafide and Tony Jones, of Palmer; and nieces and nephews, T. J. and Buffy McCullough, and Chuck Jr. and Amanda Gearns.
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory.
ROBERT EUGENE LEE
Robert Eugene Lee, 72, of Cochise, Ariz., died July 2, 2000, in Tucson, Ariz., with his family at his side. Services were held July 10 at East Lemonweir Lutheran Church, Elroy, Wis.
Robert E. Lee was born June 9, 1928, to Henry and Hazel Lee in the Township of Fountain, Juneau County, Wis. Mr. Lee was confirmed in 1942 at Lemonweir Lutheran Church in Elroy. He graduated from Elroy High School in 1945.
On Dec. 10, 1947, he married his lifelong sweetheart, Mary Louise Ormson, whom he had known from the age of 8 years. Mr. Lee served in the National Guard during the Korean conflict and held the rank of sergeant.
He farmed in the Elroy area until 1960 when he moved to Union Grove, Wis. Following his retirement Robert lived in Holmen, Wis.; Casa Granda, Ariz.; Eagle River; and Cochise, Ariz.
His family said: An avid hunter, fisherman and storyteller, dad was always proud to introduce himself as Robert E. Lee. His passion was racing horses, riding and hunting dogs. Dad spoke often of his adventures of hunting in the hills of Wisconsin with his fox coon hounds. He loved to travel and told stories everywhere he went. Loving Alaska, he fished alongside his sons during the summers, landing king salmon and halibut. He will always remain our western hero.
Mr. Lee is survived by his lovely wife of 52 years, Mary Louise (Ormson) Lee; children, Christine (Douglas) McCallum of Sussex, Wis., John (Joanna) Lee, Palmer, and Ron Lee, Anchorage; brothers, Arthur (Caroline) Lee, Black River Falls, Wis., and Gordon Lee, La Farge, Wis.; aunt, Romelle Kingston, Monona, Wis.; and his grandchildren, Brad and Laura McCallum, Reanna and Robert Conrad Lee and Sherilee Sullivan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Hazel Lee; and brothers, Raymond and Allen Lee. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Wilcox, Ariz.
DONALD RAY IRSIK
Wasilla resident Donald Ray Irsik, 58, died at his home July 7, 2000.
Services are scheduled for 1 p.m., Wednesday, July 12, at Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla.
Mr. Irsik was born Feb. 10, 1942, in Garden City, Kan. He became an Alaska resident in 1986, residing in Wasilla. He was a 27-year veteran of the U.S. Army who served a combat tour in Vietnam. He retired from military service in March 1990 with multiple commendations and awards, and will be buried with full military honors.
Besides his military career, Mr. Irsik had also worked at Mat-Su College in Palmer for seven years. He was a member of Family Christian Center and received awards for his volunteer work with Valley Crisis Pregnancy Center and with Habitat for Humanity. His main hobbies and interests were using his skills as a carpenter.
His family stated: Donald was a dedicated husband and father who will be forever cherished in the hearts of family and friends.
Mr. Irsik is survived by his wife, Sandy Irsik; children, Chuck, Christopher, Mark, and Jill Irsik, and Donna Carr; grandchildren, Tyler, Shelby, and Anthony Irsik and Lil Joe Carr; mother, Thelma Irsik; sister, Joyce Carr; and brothers, J.D. and Gary Irsik.
Memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society in Donald Irsiks name, at 1057 W. Fireweed Lane, Anchorage, AK. 99508, or by calling (907) 357- 4760 or 1-800-227-2345.
Interment will be at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery.
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla.
ELIZABETH LORENE ARTHUR
Elizabeth Lorene Arthur, our deceased loved one, has left us to go on to a better place under negative circumstances.
A wonderful woman with a big heart, she was like everyones secondary mom. She was a very giving person.
Her family wrote: Beth enjoyed gardening, sewing, cooking, playing on the computer and just being the crafty mother at home.
She is survived by her soul mate of 15 years, Medzit Limani; daughter, Brenna Arthur; parents, Aedena and Jerry Arthur; sister, Tana Arthur-Blum; grandparents, Delta and Jensen Burton; niece, Zaya Arthur Gunton; nephews, Aaron Arthur Blum and Gunnar Kolberg, and sister in-law, Trina Arthur.
She will be missed by many people, including the DeVries, Hartley, and Moffitt families, and the Albanian community in Anchorage and many teachers and friends all over the state.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Aaron Arthur.
ELIZABETH BETH LORENE ARTHUR
Elizabeth Beth Lorene Arthur, 35, of Anchorage died July 9, 2000, in Fairbanks, surrounded by Gods beautiful Alaskan woods. Services will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, at St. John Lutheran Church on Elmwood Street in Palmer. A short burial service will be held afterward at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery, followed by a wake celebrating her life at Palmer Moose Lodge.
The family sincerely invites all friends to help them end a difficult day by sharing a potluck dinner, the music that Ms. Arthur loved to work and dance with, and any stories about her generosity and kind deeds.
Ms. Arthur was born Oct. 4, 1964, in Medford, Ore., to Jerry and Aedene Arthur. After residing with her teacher parents in Eagle Point and Oregon City, she came with them to Anchorage in August 1968. Moving with her parents to various places in Alaska, she made friends in Fairbanks, Tanana, Ruby, Galena, Dillingham, Seldovia and Palmer.
The best memories of Ms. Arthurs childhood were the eight years in New Stuyahok, on the Nushagak River, where she attended elementary and three years of high school. She graduated from Monmouth High in Monmouth, Ore., in 1981. She attended college at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Travel School in Portland, Ore., and graduated from business school in Alaska in 1985.
She worked in various capacities in office management, including positions at South Central Health Center and as a Kelly Girl in Anchorage, as well as executive secretary to the CEO of a health institute in New York from 1980 to 1987.
She was best known as the manager and cooking partner of her companion, Medzit Limani, at Alaska Flapjacks in Spenard, and Limanis Bar and Grill in Palmer during the 1990s.
Ms. Arthur is survived by her daughter, Brenna Elizabeth Lorene Arthur, and her partner and significant other of 15 years, Medzit Limani, of Albanian heritage. She was deeply loved by her parents, Jerry and Aedene Arthur, of Palmer; sister, Tana Jerene Arthur-Blum and husband, Charles Blum; and cherished her niece and nephew, Zaya Joelene Arthur-Gunton and Little Aaron Arthur Blum, all of Anchorage. Palmer survivors also include sister-in-law, Trina Arthur and grandparents, Burton and Delta Jenson.
She is also survived by friends of all ethnic backgrounds who loved Beth as a sister, especially the many loyal employees who worked with her and many in Alaskas Albanian community that she helped in a variety of capacities, as she spoke fluent Albanian and could serve as translator.
Ms. Arthurs family wrote: Our beloved Beth confronted the joys, tasks, and challenges of life with ferocious strength, courage, generosity and energy. She loved her daughter and companion with all her heart. She was a wonderfully protective big sister to Aaron and Tana. Auntie especially cherished her niece and nephew because she could not have more children of her own after the many treatments she had withstood throughout two battles with leukemia and a bone marrow transplant. She faced adversity with tremendous courage, strength and a positive attitude, and was an inspiration and cheerleader to other patients and staff at University of Washington Hospital over the months she was there as a patient. In 1994, after receiving a bone-marrow transplant, she was back at Alaska Flapjacks three weeks later baking her famous pies for her loyal customers. She and Medzit provided free Thanksgiving dinners to anyone who walked in the doors of their restaurants for several years, as well as donating many items and services to schools and the community.
Beth was a lady of many talents, whether it was cooking (especially her bread and Eskimo ice cream), sewing clothes for her family, gardening, or producing a variety of excellent items on her computer. She was especially proud of the booklet she helped make in memory of her brother, and worked hard to make both her brothers and sisters weddings memorable. Unfortunately, as the pain of the medical procedures, medicines, and hardships she had endured weakened her body, Beth fought against substance-abuse problems, resulting in the loss of our Bethie under tragic circumstances. While our hearts are broken as we care for her earthly remains, we know she lives on in our hearts and memories and it is some comfort to think her spirit can now visit and laugh with her brother that she missed so much. We will remember her sparking smile, her generous spirit, and as the Albanians say Bethie had a good heart.
Beth was preceded in death by her brother, Aaron Joseph Arthur, in the March 1999 avalanche in Turnagain Pass; and grandparents, Erb and Grace Arthur, and uncle, Joe Arthur, of Hood River, Ore. The family would be happy with friends bringing beautiful flowers from their garden for Ms. Arthurs services.
The Palmer Lions Club is setting up an account with MVFCU for a college fund for Brenna Arthur. Checks may be made out at this time to Palmer Lions for Brenna Arthur, and send to Palmer Lions, P.O. Box 393, Palmer, AK 99645. The family will also be working in the areas of prevention of substance abuse and support of leukemia research, as well as avalanche awareness in memory of both children.
Arrangements for the family were made by Kehls Palmer Mortuary.
SCOTT DOUGLAS WHITE
Anchorage resident Scott Douglas White, 41, was found deceased on July 10, 2000, at his residence.
A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 18, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wasilla, with Pastor Duane Hanson officiating. His ashes will be placed at the family homestead in Wasilla.
Mr. White was born Oct. 1, 1958, at the Old Providence Hospital in Anchorage, to Betty and Ellis White. He was baptized at Lutheran Church of Hope by Pastor Glenn Groth. He attended confirmation at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Anchorage under Pastor Rick Halvorson. He went to grade school and high school in the Sand Lake area.
During his early working years, he lived in Bethel, where he became purchasing agent for the Lower Kuskokwin School District. In later years he worked for wholesale food suppliers in Anchorage. At the time of his death he was employed at Costco in Anchorage.
His family wrote: For most of his life Scott struggled with addiction to alcohol and drugs. Having been in treatment several times, his addiction continued to return until his death. Scott was an intelligent, resourceful person who had the ability to perform well almost any task. Scott was a caring person who maintained a close relationship to his family. He will be remembered for his good sense of humor and his friendly manner. Scott was deeply loved by his family and friends.
Mr. White is survived by his mother and father; sisters, Sally Johnson and Kathryn Broady; and brother, James White, all of Wasilla; brother, Richard White, of Healy; and numerous nephews and nieces.
The family requests that memorials be given to the Wasilla Food Pantry, 501 East Bogard Road, Wasilla AK 99654.
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory.
TIN LEA STROPKAI
Tin Lea Stropkai passed away in her sleep on July 19, 2000. There will be a memorial get-together for Tin on Saturday, July 22, 2000, at 3 p.m. at her daughter Michael Boshears home. All of Tins friends are welcome to come and share memories.
We know that Tin would prefer that no black be worn at this casual gathering of family and friends.
Tin has danced over to the other sideas she said so many times, and were sure she is happy in the arms of her husband, Mike, and basking in the loving smile of her son, Scotty. Were equally sure she would want her loved ones to share in her happiness.
For directions, please call her daughters Judy Carothers, Regan Wright or Michael Boshears.
THOMAS E. SCHMIDT
Former Alaskan Thomas E. Schmidt, 67, of Port Townsend, Wash., died July 16, 2000, in Seattle, after a brief illness.
Mr. Schmidt was born in Dickenson, N.D., in 1932. He grew up in Yakima, Wash., and moved to Alaska in 1957. During his 40 years in Alaska, Mr. Schmidt resided in Anchorage, where he worked for 20 years as a dispatcher for Alaska Aggregate Corp. (ALACGO). Upon his retirement, he and his wife, Loretta (Lulu), built and operated Lulus Nursery for 20 years in Palmer.
Mr. Schmidt is survived by his wife of 48 years, Loretta; his sister, Dolores Dauenhauer-Mormon and her husband, Bob, of Richland, Wash.; daughter, Susan and son-in-law Ed Thompson, of Boise, Idaho; daughter, Cindy and son-in-law Dean Zinck, of Renton, Wash.; son, Thomas and daughter-in-law Donia Schmidt, of Anchorage; daughter, Sharon Edwards, of Fairbanks; 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Services were held on July 18 at Bonney-Watson Parker Chapel, Burien, Wash.
HEDWIG MADELINE HIGGINS
Hedwig Madeline Higgins, 81, who recently relocated to Wasilla to live with her sister, longtime resident Irene Yaskolski, died at home July 16, 2000.
Services were held July 20 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wasilla with con celebrants Archbishop Francis Hurley, Rev. Kasparaj Mallavarapu, Rev. Edward Gicewicz and Rev. Stan Allie. Public visitations preceded the service. A reception followed the service prior to interment at Sacred Heart Cemetery.
Ms. Higgins was born April 21, 1919, in Worchester, Massachusetts. She was a retired manager of the accounts receivable department of Wackenhut Corp., of Coral Gables, Fla. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Clinton Higgins.
Ms. Higgins is survived by her brother, Rev. Edward Gicewicz; sister, Irene Yaskolski; daughter and son-in-law, Holly and Robert Redell; son and daughter-in-law, James Christopher and Mary Higgins; grandchildren, Robert and his wife, Sherry Lowe, Timothy and Heidi Redell, Jeremy and Leah Bright and David Higgins; great-granddaughter, Audrey Lowe Redell; sister-in-law, Margaret Gicewicz; nieces, Claudia Spears, Leslie, Donna and Nicolette Gicewicz and Shelia King; and nephews, Mark and Noel Gicewicz.
Arrangements by Valley Funeral Home of Wasilla.
