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ELOISE E. NIESEN
Wasilla resident Eloise Eleanor (Punches) Niesen, 67, died July 13, 2000, at the University of Arkansas Medical Center in Little Rock, Ark., from complications of multiple myeloma.
A funeral service was scheduled for 1 p.m., Tuesday, July 18, at Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla, with her brother-in-law, Dick Bowen, officiating.
Interment was at the Wasilla Aurora Cemetery.
Mrs. Niesen was born Feb. 8, 1933, in Muskegon, Mich., to Lawrence L. and Flora H. (Buchholz) Punches.
She came to Alaska in 1951, and resided in Seward from 1951-1965, in Anchorage from 1965-1977, in Big Lake from 1977-1999, and in Wasilla since 1999.
She was the owner of Coiffure Cache from 1970 to 1973, was a realtor for Marston Properties and Re/Max during the 1980s, and the owner of Days Remembered Crafts in Wasilla from 1987 to 1994.
She was a member of Valley Worship Center.
Her family said: Mom was a loving and generous mother whose dignity and courage were an inspiration to all who knew her. She had a kind and giving spirit and unwavering faith in God. We could not have wished for a more wonderful mother.
Survivors are her children, Randy Niesen, of Terrebonne, Ore., Laurie Ebenezer, of Kailua, Kona, Hawaii, Lana Anderson, of Anchorage, and Greg J. Niesen, of Chugiak; mother, Flora Punches, of Wasilla; sisters, Virginia Bowen, of Wasilla, and Dorothy Christ, of Clayton, Wash.; brother, Bill Punches, of Las Vegas, Nev.; seven grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
JOHN L. GILBERT
Wasilla resident John Lawrence Gilbert, 65, died July 9, 2000, at home.
No local services are planned. His ashes will be scattered on top of Mount McKinley and a marker will be placed at Ft. Richardson National Cemetery.
Mr. Gilbert was born Jan. 10, 1935, in Fitchburg, Mass. He was a graduate of Fitchburg High School. He served in the U.S. Army and he came to Alaska in 1970. He had previously resided in Bethel, Anchorage and Fairbanks. He had been employed as a welder and ironworker and belonged to the Iron Workers Union.
Family and friends said: He was loved, misunderstood, and will be remembered and missed by many. May God rest your soul.
Survivors are sons, John, Steve, Scott, Jeff and Arnie; daughters, Susan Tyrell, Cheryl Nolan, and Lynda Gilbert; brother, Lenny; sisters, Joyce, Donna and Anne; and David and Melody Sayen, and their children, Jamilee, Brandon, Kimberly and Kody, the family he lived with and was loved by.
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory.
PAUL F. FRYE
Long-time Palmer resident Paul F. Frye, 49, passed away at home on July 16, 2000, after a long and brave battle with cancer. A funeral Mass was held at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 20, at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Palmer.
Honorary pallbearers wereLane Moffitt, of McCarthy, Sam Hermon, Kay Omer, Tim Baughman, Jerry Reinhart and Tim McKenzie, of Palmer. Nephew, Dalton Benson will be altar server.
Following the service there will be an informal gathering of family and friends at the Palmer Moose Lodge.
Mr. Frye was born Jan. 27, 1951, in Jefferson City, Mo. His family moved to Palmer in 1960 and has remained there ever since. He attended two years of high school at Palmer Senior High and graduated in 1969 in Fort Worth, Texas.
He worked on the Alaska Pipeline and for the state of Alaska before becoming employed with the Mat-Su School District in 1981. During the 19 years Mr. Frye was employed by the school district, he made many close friends at Swanson and Butte elementary schools.
Mr. Frye loved fishing, yard work, and spending time with his family and friends. He was also a member of the Palmer Moose Lodge.
His family said: Paul was a loving and devoted father, who always put his family first. During his battle with cancer, Paul was able to drive his daughter home from college in Idaho, and help his youngest daughter with her daily horse responsibilities.
Mr. Frye was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Bette Frye, of Farmington, Mo., previously of Anchorage. Mr. Frye is survived by his daughters, Ivy June and Lyla Grace Frye; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sharon and Don Benson, of Palmer, Jane Lee, of Palmer, and Jennifer and Joe Guerrero, of Wasilla; niece, Jessica Leather and nephews, Dalton Benson and Joshua Guerrero. He is also survived by his fiancee, Dawn Goble; and the staff and students at Butte Elementary School.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society, Mat-Su Unit, P.O. Box 431, Palmer, AK 99645, or to an education fund for Ivy and Grace, in care of Sharon Benson, P.O. Box 4059, Palmer, AK 99645. Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory.
PATRICK P. GREW
Wasilla resident Patrick P. Grew, 47, died July 11, 2000, at his home after a long illness, with family and friends at his side. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 29, beginning at 3 p.m. at Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses at Big Lake.
Mr. Grew was born March 17, 1953, in Buffalo, N.Y. He had lived in Alaska since 1972, residing first in Anchorage until 1983, and then in Wasilla. Mr. Grew owned Buffalo Construction. In the 1970s and 1980s, he had been a member of the carpenters local union.
His family wrote: Pat knew well the meaning of an ounce of loyalty is worth a pound of cleverness. There are many stories of Pats unwavering loyalty to his friends, coworkers and family that will be recounted again and again.
Mr. Grew is survived by his wife, Lexi K. Grew; son, Grant P. Grew; father, Arthur G. Grew; brothers and sisters, James Grew, David Grew, Mary Pat Cowles, Paul Grew, Terry Grew, Richard Grew, Kathy Marsh, Kevin Grew, Joseph Grew, Martha Whittington, Deborah Shock, Jeri Wilson and Danny Grew; his mother-in-law, Sherrill Wittner; sister and brother-in-law, Kalan and Leo Morrissette; brother-in-law, Eric Wittner; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Kathleen.
Donations on behalf of his son may be sent to P.O. Box 871821, Wasilla, AK 99687.
JACK DEAN GRAHAM
Wasilla resident Jack Dean Graham, 67, died July 20, 2000, at home, following a long battle with lung cancer.
A memorial service was held at 1 p.m., Sunday, July 23, at Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla, with Robert and Connie Merrill officiating. A celebration of life will follow the service at the Graham home in Wasilla.
Mr. Graham was born Jan. 16, 1933, in Tracy City, Tenn. He completed high school and served in the U. S. Air Force. He came to Alaska in 1972 and resided in Wasilla. He had been employed as an auto mechanic.
Mr. Graham was a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was an ordained minister and the church was an important part of his life. He was a Cubmaster for five years, a Scoutmaster for three years, and was awarded a Tree of Life by the PTA for his work with the scouts.
An avid woodworker, Mr. Graham loved refinishing and building wood furniture. He also enjoyed crossword puzzles.
His family said: Jack loved all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The recent opportunity to play with his first great-grandchild gave him special pleasure. We will all miss him, but we will carry a piece of him in our hearts and memories forever. His grandson, Jeffery, will be meeting him in heaven to show him around.
His granddaughter Jennifer said: My earliest memory of grandpa is of me sitting on the dock at camp having a wicked splinter removed. Grandpa was not content to remove the splinter with a needle instead he used his pocketknife, which to a 4-year-old appeared mythic in scale.
Survivors are his wife, Donna; children and their spouses, Deena and Dave Oines, Rhonda Anderson, Jack and Donna, Tad and Janet, Lamar and Gena, Britt and Wendy, and Richard Anderson; 17 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of Mat-Su, 3051 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy., Wasilla, AK 99654, or American Lung Association of Alaska, 500 W. International Airport Rd., Suite A, Anchorage, AK 99518.
Kenneth James Kramer
Palmer resident Kenneth James Kramer, 11, died July 12, 2000, from injuries suffered in an automobile accident in Portage. A funeral was held at Valley Funeral Home. Mr. Mayer, Kenneths fifth-grade teacher, spoke at the funeral.
A second service was held at Little Chapel in Cordova, with Gary Barnes officiating. Jim Kramer, Dean Kramer, David Glasen, Marc Steele and John Knapp served as pallbearers. Burial was at Cordova cemetery.
Kenneth was born March 20, 1989, in Cordova. He moved to Palmer in September 1989. He was a fifth-grade student at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School.
His family wrote: Kenneth was outstanding in regard to school fund-raising activities. He received first-place honors for top individual sales several times. He enjoyed basketball and biking and was a commercial fisherman with his paternal grandfather, David Glasen, and his cousin, Kevin Blake.
Kenneth was loved and adored by all who knew him. He was a very special young man with a sweet heart who showed kindness to all. He shared a special friendship with all his cousins. He went to heaven with his cousin, Kevin, at his side.
Kevin was preceded in death by his father, Daryl Kramer.
He is survived by his mother, Patricia Kramer; brother, Kyle Kramer; paternal grandparents, David and Patsy Glasen; maternal grandparents, Gregory and Donna Knapp; maternal great-grandmother, Jesse Tiedeman; aunts and uncles, Dean and Kerir Kramer, Jim and Lynette Kramer, David and Carrie Glasen, Sue and Tim Johnson, Chrissy and Marc Steele, Sherry Johnson, Tara and Katie Knapp, John and Gregory Knapp and Ed Vlasoff; and many cousins. The family has requested memorial contributions be directed to the Kramer family, 403 E. Auklet Ave., Palmer, AK 99645.
PATRICK W. KINGSTON
Willow resident Patrick W. Kingston, 50, died at his home on July 26, 2000. No local services are planned at this time. Mr. Kingston was born in Baytown, Texas, on Feb. 21, 1950, to Morris Edward and Ona Lee (Owen) Kingston.
He attended schools there. He moved to Alaska in 1990, settling in the Willow area. He worked as an artist and enjoyed the Alaska outdoors.
His family wrote: Pat was a great friend to everyone who spent any time with him. He was a loving son and father. He was Gods servant and child, who helped anyone who needed help. He was very generous and a spreader of Gods will. With the help of a friend he helped families who came to Alaska to hunt and fish to survive.
Mr. Kingston is survived by his father, M.E. Kingston; mother, Ona Melton; brother, Mike Kingston; daughter, Kary Lynn Hockett and husband, Michael; nephew, Dale Kingston and wife, Shana; niece, Deana McBride and husband, Brad; great-nephews, Tyler and Kyle Kingston, all of Texas. He is also survived by his friends in Alaska. Arrangements for the family were made by Kehls Palmer Mortuary.
DONALD LEE FIDLER JR.
Palmer resident Donald Lee Fidler Jr., 48, passed away July 31, 2000, at his hand-built cabin. A funeral service was held Aug. 4.
Mr. Fidler was born in Salina, Kan., on Sept. 18, 1951, to Donald Lee and Eula Lee (Lingo) Fidler. He graduated from Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Ore., in 1993 with an associates degree in applied science. He served in the U. S. Navy from Oct. 12, 1971 to Feb. 18, 1975.
He came to Alaska to pursue a dream. This is just what he did. With hard work and dedication, he built a log cabin from trees he cut down on his property. He enjoyed spending time in the outdoors; fishing, hunting, relaxing and working on his cabin. He also enjoyed spending time with friends and family.
He was famous for tinkering with odds and ends. He played pool and in his spare time he taught others to play pool. When it came to helping the community, he was always ready to lend a hand.
His family wrote: Everyone loved you very much, you touched the hearts of everyone you met. He will always be in everyones heart. Thank you for being the best dad, grandpa, son, brother, uncle and friend that anyone could ever ask for. Dad, theres always a place for you in our hearts. You will be loved and missed always. We love you.
Mr. Fidler is survived by his son, Donald Heath Fidler; daughter, Chellonda Lorraine Fidler; grandson, Austin Taylor Fidler; father, Donald Lee Fidler; brother and sisters, Sheila Lynne Fidler; Sharon Kaye Thomas, David James Fidler, Norman Thomas Fidler, Jerry Dean Fidler and Mark Raymond Fidler. He was preceded in death by his mother, Eula Lee Fidler. Arrangements for the family were made by Kehls Palmer Mortuary.
JUANITA (NITA) D. BELIO
Life-long Alaska resident Nita Belio, 59, died peacefully at her home in Wasilla on May 22, 2004.
Ms. Belio was born July 31, 1944, in Fairbanks.
Her fondest memories were of homesteading in Eagle River Valley with Leroy Van Genderen. Her greatest joys in life were spending time with family and friends. She loved caring for her pet dogs. She liked to write humorous poems. She was an avid scrabble player and enjoyed collecting Snoopy items.
Ms. Belio is survived by her daughter, Terri Houston, and son-in-law, Craig Houston, of Wasilla; extended family members James and Judith Houston of Dixon, Mo., Brent and Cheryl Houston, and Zach and Katie of Auburn, Wash., Todd and Melanie Houston of Anchorage; Troy and Angela Houston and Jessica Houston of Peters Creek, and Howard and Gladys Hayes of Juneau.
Ms. Belio is also survived by her many dear friends, Kathy and William Olinger of Wasilla, Leroy Van Genderen of Hot Springs, S.D., Lee Hammer and family of Elwood, Utah, Paul and Marilyn Anderson of Braham, Minn., Veronica Bowlen of Wasilla, Tommy Banks and Jeanie Hansgen of Wasilla, and Tom Agony and Joanna Lestenkof and family of Wasilla. Family and friends will gather for a private celebration of her life on June 5 in Wasilla.
Arrangements were made by Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.
DOROTHY F. LAUGHLIN
Longtime Palmer resident Dorothy Laughlin, 78, died Nov. 29, 2003, in Palmer. Burial will be Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Palmer Pioneer Cemetery. A memorial service will be held on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the United Protestant Church in Palmer, with Revs. Leisa and Timothy Carrick officiating. A reception will follow in the church's Eder Hall.
Mrs. Laughlin was born Sept. 30, 1925, in Saginaw, Mich. She graduated from high school in Flint, Mich. She continued her education at Michigan State University, graduating in 1949 with a degree in floraculture, and at Alaska Methodist University, graduating with a master's degree in teaching and library science.
She married Winston Laughlin June 7, 1947, in Flint. The couple drove the Alaska Highway, arriving in Palmer in September 1949.
She worked as a substitute teacher and taught piano lessons. She was very active with the Anchorage Literacy Project, teaching at Hiland Correctional Facility and at Palmer Correctional Center. She was a volunteer librarian in Palmer, was active in church activities and 4H, and volunteered at the Lazy Mountain Children's Home.
Mrs. Laughlin was well-known for her love of books and cats. She liked helping people. She was an Evangelical Christian who fellowshipped at the United Protestant Church.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Winston Laughlin; her children and their spouses Ellen Taylor and Michael Curley, Keith and Stacy Laughlin and Brian and Karen Laughlin; grandchildren Valerie, Benjamin, Juliana, Tristan, Ian, Jordan, Liza, Tessa and Kira; her sister Ruth Buntrock of Michigan; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Roelif and Ruth Laughlin of Seattle; and six nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her son Laurence Laughlin and her brother Nave Fuleihan, who disappeared in 1947 while serving in the Navy, and is listed as missing, presumed dead.
Arrangements were made by Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.
