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Ed Walker
Longtime Alaska resident Ed Walker, 94, died at Providence Hospital on Oct. 28, 2011, surrounded by family.
Ed was born in San Juan Bautista, Calif., on Aug. 28, 1917. He joined the Army in 1937.
Standing 6-feet, 4-inches tall, he was recruited to play basketball and football for the U.S. Army in Hawaii, where he made the all-star teams each year. He transferred from Hawaii to Alaska in search of a new frontier, and find it he did. Following the outbreak of World War II, Ed was selected as a member of the elite joint military regiment for reconnaissance in the Aleutian Islands, the Alaskan Scouts. This group of 65 rugged individuals, hand picked for their individual toughness, later became know as Castner’s Cutthroats, of which Ed was the last surviving member. His children and grandchildren were blessed to grow up hearing story after story about his time as an Alaskan Scout defending his country on Alaska soil.
While still in the Army, Ed met the love of his life, Frances Park, in Fairbanks, where she was working for the Army Corps of Engineers building of the Alaska Highway. They were married at Fort Richardson on April 29, 1944, and settled in Fairbanks. Given Ed’s construction background, he started Arctic Block Construction Co. with Con Frank in 1947 and built many of the first permanent structures at both Ladd and Eielson fields, many during the winter. Frances worked as the Women’s Page editor for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
Other early endeavors included working in a mining operation in Good News Bay, and lifelong friendships were made while living in Delta Junction publishing the Walker’s Weekly local newspaper and owning the Malamute Saloon. He also fought for Alaska’s statehood and raised four children.
The Walkers moved to Valdez in 1960, where Ed and his sons began building houses. They were in the middle of the construction of several houses in Valdez at the time of the 1964 earthquake. Ed immediately transitioned and began moving houses from the old town of Valdez to the “new town” of Valdez. He served as a member of the Valdez City Council during the years of rebuilding the town and the construction of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline. He built many houses in the new Valdez and his last building project was the Village Inn Motel, currently Mountain Sky Hotel and Suites.
Ed and Frances travelled the world extensively visiting the many friends they made as a result of their ownership of the Village Inn. Ed was heralded by many as a man who would never ever give up. He was always positive and had a driving passion and vision for a better Alaska. His incomparable work ethic was an inspiration to his children. Ed was an author and respected Alaska historian who was featured in the long-running History Channel documentary on the Alaskan Scouts.
Having received five hip replacements, instead of slowing him down, he authored a book to help others in the same predicament titled “Hip-Hip Hooray!” Following the passing of his wife Frances, he processed this great loss by authoring a book titled “Twenty Women Who Made America Great.” He also authored books about his life, including a firsthand account as one of Castner’s Cutthroats and the trials and triumphs of the Alaskan Scouts. He enjoyed his final years at the Alaska Pioneer Home in Palmer, where he frequently discussed politics, foreign policy and the need for an all Alaska gas line.
Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Frances P. Walker; daughter, Kathleen Walker Williams; grandson, Luca Sordelli; and dear friend, Stella Odsather.
He is survived by his son, Bob Walker and wife Debbie Cimino of Lafayette, Colo.; daughter, Suzy Walker of Palmer; son, Bill Walker and wife Donna of Anchorage; grandchildren, Jason Szymanski, Brent Byrne, Trevor Walker, Felicia Welch, Anna Kate Williams, Lindsay Hobson, Tessa Linderman, Adam Walker and Jordan Walker; and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is at 4 p.m., Nov. 5 in Valdez at Faith Harbor Fellowship with a potluck reception immediately following the service.
Thomas Robert Beltz
Longtime Wasilla resident Thomas Robert Beltz, 67, died Oct. 20, 2011 at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.
A celebration of Tom’s life is at 3:30 p.m., Nov. 3 in room 115 at the Veterans Resource Center, 4201 Tudor Centre Drive, Anchorage.
Thomas was born Jan. 6, 1944, to Ernest and Catherine (Davis) Beltz in Allentown, Pa. He graduated from high school and entered the U.S. Marine Corps, serving four years in Vietnam.
He then transferred into the U.S. Air Force, where he worked as a flight mechanic on helicopters and C130s. Thomas retired from the U.S. Air Force at Elmendorf Air Force Base in 1983. He lived in Anchorage for three years and moved to Wasilla in 1978.
“Thomas was a wonderful, loving husband, ” wrote his wife.
Thomas is survived by his wife of 31 years, Barbara Beltz of Wasilla; a best friend, John Westfall of Wasilla; and his three dogs, Scooter, Susie and Dozer.
Norman “George” Dennis Jr.
Norman “George” Dennis Jr., 34, died Oct. 28, 2011, in Anchorage.
George was born Aug. 11, 1977, in Phoenix, Ariz. He moved to Alaska in 1982, where he graduated from Palmer High School in 1995. George was a member of Plumber and Steamfitters Local Union 367 and enjoyed riding a snowmobile and fishing.
He had a great time in this life. May the next life be forever better. He lived his youth fully, but missed out on getting old. His family will be forever grateful for his memories and living through the good years.
George is survived by his father, N. George Dennis Sr.; mother, Brenda Dennis; brother, Gabriel Dennis; wife, Lindsey Carter Dennis; and daughter, Alyssa Morgan Carter Dennis.
Services are at 1 p.m., Nov. 4 at Kehl’s Palmer Chapel, 209 S. Alaska St., in Palmer with burial following at Aurora Cemetery in Wasilla.
Bonnie Joyce Bettine
Bonnie Joyce Bettine, 83, died Nov. 3, 2011, at her home on Rocky Lake in Big Lake.
A celebration of Bonnie’s life is at 2 p.m., Nov. 13 at the Elks Lodge on Finger Lake in Wasilla.
Bonnie was born in Gillette, Wyo., Dec. 1, 1927. She arrived in the town of Matanuska in 1932 at the age of 4 via the Alaska Steamship Co. and Alaska Railroad with her parents, Harold and Dorothy Moore, and her younger sister, Doris. The family homesteaded a mile outside of Palmer; Moore Road was named after them.
Bonnie was always proud of being a homesteader and carried many homesteading skills with her throughout her life. She graduated from Palmer High School in 1945 as valedictorian and attended business college in Southern California. In the late 1940s after World War II, she worked on military bases in Anchorage and Fairbanks. The stories and escapades she shared about herself and her best friend, Laura Stenberg, will always bring laughter to all who have heard them.
In 1949, Bonnie married Robert “Bob” Bettine. They lived in downtown Palmer until they retired to their Rocky Lake home in 1979. They were active in the Elks, and Bonnie played basketball for the “Town Team” sponsored by the Elks, enjoying an on-going rivalry with the Cordova Elks. Both Bob and Bonnie enjoyed many functions at the Palmer Elks Lodge. Her family remembers the glamour of the Elks Purple Bubble Ball and New Year’s Eve dances. Bob died in 1981.
Bonnie was active in Beta Sigma Phi and was a charter member of the Pioneers of Alaska, Palmer Auxiliary. She enjoyed camping, fishing and dancing as a family.
Bonnie had a long career as an accountant and retired three times. Her first retirement was from the Alaska Experiment Station after decades of service. Next, she retired from the Mat-Su Borough. In 1979, she joined her daughter, Cindy Bettine, in the ownership of ABC Travel Time, an agency serving Palmer and Wasilla.
Bonnie became an expert traveler, leading senior citizens on cruises and tours. She was an avid reader of mysteries and a passionate gardener, spending many hours working in her Rocky Lake yard, which produces an abundance of berries and flowers. She loved caring for her grandson, Owen. She was a great friend to the migratory water foul on the lake and enjoyed watching them until the last weeks of her life.
Bonnie’s daughter said her mother “was a role model for not only (her), but for many young women who worked with her or who knew her. Bonnie’s style, grace and intelligent advice have been appreciated by many.”
Survivors are Bonnie’s daughter, Cindy Bettine son-in-law, Mike Butcher, and grandson, Owen Butcher, all of Big Lake; and sister and brother-in-law, Karola Moore and Jim Anderson and their children, Jeff Anderson of Anchorage and Rachel Anderson Frazier of Brentwood, Calif. She also leaves her close friend and dance partner, Bill Morris of Anchorage.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Bettine; parents, Harold and Dorothy Moore; sister, Doris Marcais; brother, Roger Moore; and nieces, Christine and Annette Marcais.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to Alaska Family Service’s Dorothy Saxton Youth Shelter, 1825 S. Chugach St., Palmer, AK 99645.
Arrangements were by the Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.
John Hugh Benedict
John Hugh Benedict, 54, died Nov. 5, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.
He was born March 22, 1957, in the old Providence Hospital on L Street in Anchorage.
John graduated from Service High School in Anchorage about 1975. Upon graduation, he took a trip to Europe.
In 1977, John worked on the White Alice sites as a mechanic and a maintenance man for about three years. In the early 1980s, he bought out a small excavating contractor and started his own business. He worked around the state building roads, digging water lines, foundations, clearing land and other ground excavation projects.
John loved his family very much and was always there for them whenever there was a need. He will be sorely missed, his family and friends said.
Preceding him in death was his brother, David Harry Benedict; and son, Patrick Aaron Goodrich.
Surviving are his parents, Gordon H. and Annie E. Benedict of Wasilla; brother and sister-in-law, Richard A. and Debra Benedict of Anchorage; sister, Westa L. Benedict of Anchorage; nephews, Daine G. Benedict of Colorado, Ryan D. Benedict of Wasilla, Cale and Bryce Benedict of Anchorage and Wade T. Benedict of Oregon.
John requested no service. He will be buried at Angelus Memorial Park in Anchorage. In the spring there will be a graveside service for family and friends.
Dennis Michaels
Dennis Michaels, 80, died Oct. 23, 2011, in Weiser, Idaho.
He was born Jan. 10, 1931 in Hopedale, Ohio, to James and Roxie Michaels. During his 20s, he was a truck driver for various companies working up to owning his own truck and trailer. In his early 30s, he met Gloria in California. They soon married with the plan to move to Alaska, which had been Dennis’ lifelong dream. They lived predominantly in Alaska from 1962-1997.
Dennis worked as a heavy equipment welder at three Alaska coal mines.
In 1968, true to his independent nature, Dennis bought a gas station in Sutton. During slow times at the station he used the garage bays and his welding skills to build a wrecker, a fuel truck and a septic tank pumper. People soon realized that he could build or fix anything and he had no shortage of friends.
Two years later he sold that station and built the first remote Tesoro station in Alaska, which he ran along with a fuel oil business. Over the years in Sutton, Dennis bought land and homes, which he would remodel and sell. He employed and befriended many Alaska Native people through the years. He had a true heart of compassion. Dennis had a passion for hunting and camping in many remote places in Alaska. After retiring in 1975, he worked part-time as an assistant hunting guide until he was in a plane accident in 1980. Dennis helped build two churches in Alaska, as he always held a deep place in his heart for the Lord and his work. In 1997, he and Gloria permanently moved from Alaska and settled in Weiser, Idaho, in 1998.
Dennis is survived and loved by his wife, Gloria Michaels. He’s also survived by Dan Michaels, Russia, Ohio; Roger Michaels, Grass Valley, Calif.; Bevdena Russo, Geneva, Ohio; Ginger Beese, Wilmington, N.C.; Wesley Michaels, Troy, Idaho; Sherry Creech, Cornelius, Ore.; 21 blended grandchildren; and 20 blended great-grandchildren.
Memorial services are at 11 a.m., Oct. 29 at Weiser Christian Church.
Rhonda Deane Walker
Rhonda Deane Walker, 29, died in her sleep Oct. 2, 2011.
Rhonda was born Oct. 29, 1981, at Providence Hospital in Anchorage. Rhonda graduated with honors from Palmer High School in 2000. Rhonda was a single mother of three wonderful children she loved dearly, Charles Dean Cox Walker, Jasmine Marie Cox Walker and Christopher James Conatser Jr.
Rhonda Walker’s brother, Robert Walker (deceased 1996), and her other siblings — Katie Weeks-Walker, Jonathan Weeks-Walker and Stacie Winsor — were raised by their loving parents, Bill and Donna Walker of Palmer. Other surviving members of her family who will miss her deeply include her grandmother, Glenna Weeks; cousin, Jesse Weeks; aunts and uncles, Richard and Vonda Sanders, John Walker, David and Terry Walker, Brenton L. Walker, James and Debbie Walker, Ronald Walker, and Wade and Jennie Brow; and many more relatives in Alaska, Idaho, Utah and around the country.
“We will always love and miss you, Rhonda. You will be in our dreams and memories forever, ” her family said.
A visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m., Oct. 11 at Legacy Kehl’s Palmer Chapel, 209 S. Alaska St., Palmer. A visitation also is planned at 2 p.m., Oct. 12 at Valley Harvest Church, 10697 E. Palmer-Wasilla Highway, Palmer, followed by a funeral service at 3 p.m., with Pastor Barry Orzalli officiating. Memorial donations to assist the family can be sent to the Walker family, 12131 E. Helen Dr. A, Palmer, AK 99645.
Dale Edward Prater
Dale Edward Prater, 45, died Oct. 1, 2011. He was born Aug. 14, 1966, in Concord, Calif.
A celebration of life is at 2 p.m., Oct. 9 at the home of his brother, 4046 W. Kertullla Court, Wasilla, followed by a drive to the Denali Highway/Seattle Creek area to spread his ashes. Everyone is welcome.
He was a kind and simple man with a huge heart who was willing to help anyone in need without question. He worked in construction with his brother and nephew for the family business. He loved fishing, hunting, football, spending every morning playing cards before work with his mother, spending time with his fiancée, who he was to marry in Las Vegas on Oct. 31, and spending every other possible moment with his niece and youngest nephew. It took very little to make him happy. He always had a smile on his face and was first to make a joke to make everyone around him smile. He always lit up every room with his very presence. Dale had a special zest for life and tried to live every day to the fullest without question or hesitation.
Preceding him in death was his father, Buddy Dale Prater.
Surviving are his mother, Patricia A. Henderson; brother and his spouse, William Lee and Michelle; nephews, Gordon Dale and Christian Lee; niece, Marijah Marie Prater; sister and her spouse, Chantelle and Terry; nephews, Kyle and Clayton; niece, Riley Beyer; brother and spouse, Chris and Lisa Gossett; close family friends, Jesse Rezendes and Mike Reinhart; and fiancée, Dawn Syers.
He was a very special man and will truly be missed.
Cremation arrangements entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel of Wasilla.
Anna Dean Breidford
Anna Dean Breidford, 76, died Sept. 27, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Hospital surrounded by her loving family, one day before her 77th birthday.
Anna was born in Monument, Ore., on Sept. 28, 1934, to James Shelley and Frances Bolin. There will be a celebration of her life at the Palmer Elks Lodge, 2600 Barry’s Resort Dr., Wasilla, at 3 p.m., Oct. 8. There will be potluck.
Anna’s family moved to Cordova when she was a child, and she and her siblings spent many joyful summers on Mummy Island near Cordova exploring the island and living in a rustic cabin built by her stepfather, Arlot Fleming. Anna’s family moved away from Alaska in 1949 and she attended high school in Blaine, Wash. She lived in Blaine for many years, raising her four children there.
In 1976, Anna and her husband, John T. Breidford, moved to Palmer. She and John owned and operated Breidford Body and Paint for 21 years, retiring in 2002. They enjoyed Alaska, traveling the many roads in their motor home. Anna was very artistic, loved to read, paint and quilt, and was a wonderful cook. Every meal that came out of her kitchen was a special treat. Anna loved animals and rescued many kittens, including her cat Lu.
Preceding her in death was her son, Curt Markusen; and sister, Pearl Langenfeld. Surviving are husband and best friend, John; daughter, Julie Cowan; sons, Mike and Gary Markusen; step-daughters, Janet Sutton and Jeri Benasky (Bob); sisters, Jerri Hunnicutt (Ken) and Jessie Jewell; brother, Tom Fleming (Joyce); four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Michael Peter McLaughlin
Michael Peter McLaughlin, 39, died Sept. 25, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer surrounded by his family.
Michael was born in Chicago, Ill., on Aug. 30, 1972, to Joseph and Linda McLaughlin and moved to Big Lake in 2001. He loved fishing and loved his boys, Jon and Joey. His niece, whom he referred to as “my Anna, ” also held a special place in his heart.
Preceding him in death was his father, Joseph William McLaughlin.
Surviving are his sons, Jonathan Michael McLaughlin, 14, and Joseph William McLaughlin, 11; mother, Linda L. McLaughlin; sister, Heather K. Costley; brother-in-law, Jeremiah L. Costley; niece, Anna E. Costley; beloved aunts and uncles; and numerous cousins.
A memorial service for Michael is at noon, Oct. 10 at Legacy Kehl’s Palmer Chapel, 209 S. Alaska St., in Palmer.
