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Dave Dolfi
Dave Dolfi, 52, died Oct. 4, 2011, at his home in Sutton after a short battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family and friends.
In honor of Dave’s wishes, no services are planned. His ashes will be scattered over Sutton.
Dave was born Feb. 4, 1959, in Palmer.
Dave worked various jobs in his early years out of high school until finding his passion fighting fires. He was a part of the Sutton Volunteer Fire Department and later settled in with the Alaska Department of Forestry.
He traveled throughout Alaska and the Lower 48 fighting fires with the Alaska team. He loved his job and his fellow firefighters
Dave enjoyed a good football game, music, family and friends
“Dave’s smile and great sense of humor kept his families and friends laughing. The Dolfi family sends a special thanks to the state of Alaska Palmer Base Department of Forestry, Mat-Su Borough firefighters and friends for their help and support throughout his illness and passing, ” his family said. “Very special thanks go to Brian Carver and Chris Anderson for their loving care in Dave’s time of need. Words cannot express our appreciation for their thoughtfulness. Dave will be forever missed and always a part of our favorite memories.”
Preceding him in death was his father, James Victor Dolfi Sr.; his mother, Rose; and brothers, James Jr. and Daniel Dolfi.
Surviving are brothers, Rick, Sam and Ron Dolfi, all of Sutton; sisters, Barbara Barker of Fairbanks and Sylvia Richardson of Kountze, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews throughout Alaska and Texas.
Memorial donations may be made to the Sutton EMS, Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 291, Sutton, AK 99674.
Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary cared for the family.
Barbara Lenore DeGrave Thurman
Barbara Lenore DeGrave Thurman, 89, of Palmer died Nov. 5, 2011, surrounded by her family.
Barbara was born Feb. 16, 1922, in Yakima, Wash., to Roy and Lenore “Betty” (Brown) DeGrave.
Barb was known for being loyal and generous to a fault, her quick wit and her beauty. When she made up her mind it was wise not to get in her way. After raising her three sons, she returned to college and completed her master’s degree in psychology. Barb enjoyed her 20 years working with her students. Barb enjoyed her flower garden and raising roses and rhododendrons.
Barbara is survived by her three sons, Rodney Allen Young and Georgia of Oroville, Wash., Gary Roy Young and Donna of Palmer and Mark Steven Young and Nina of Renton, Wash.; grandchildren, Lisa Hibbert, Micole Gonzales, Kali Macalino, Christine Rogers, Rebekah (sister Efpraxia) Young, Jess Woelfel, Cory Young and Aaron Young; stepchildren, Russell Michael Thurman and Pam of Kennewick, Wash., Barbara Babbit and Paul of Poway, Calif., and Myles Thurman of Lakeside, Calif.; twin brother, Bernard DeGrave and Cecelia of Vancouver, Wash.; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Services are at 3 p.m., Nov. 14 at Kehl’s Palmer Chapel with a visitation at 2:30 p.m.
Joshua Matthew Lacy
Joshua Matthew Lacy, 26, died Nov. 3, 2011, at his home in Hatcher Pass.
No local memorial service is planned, though a memorial is planned at a latter date in Pahrump, Nev.
Joshua was born Dec. 16, 1984, to Nathan Jensen and Tammy Lacy in Denver, Colo.
Joshua loved to fish, camp and spend time with his family.
He moved to Alaska about three years ago and worked for Ken Davis at K2 Builders.
“We was loved by all and we will greatly miss him. But through Christ Jesus we have the hope that we will see him again someday, ” his family said.
Survivors include his fiancée, Devry; son, Aiden; mother, Tammy Lacy; father, Nathan Jensen; brothers, Ryan and Dillon Lacy; sisters, Haley Jensen of California and Amberly Anspaugh; grandparents, Bill and Sherri Makarewicz; grandmother, Noel Jensen of Palmer; uncles, Tom Jensen and his wife Margo and daughters April and Jessica of Denver, Colo., Larry and Sharon Jensen and their children of Cottage Grove, Ore., Andrew Jensen of Cottage Grove, Ore., Jay George Jensen of Eugene, Ore., Aaron Jensen of Cave Junction, Ore., and Matthew Jensen of Wasilla; aunts, Lenora Barlow of Cave Junction, Ore., and Sarah Morrison of Eugene, Ore.; cousins, Tyler Jensen of Palmer, Tajia Jensen of Palmer, Jacob Jensen of Eugene, Ore., and Jason Jensen of Eugene, Ore.; many aunts and uncles from Nevada and surrounding states; and dear friends, Paul and Mary Weir of Palmer.
Donations to help cover funeral expenses may be sent to P.O. Box 4456, Palmer, AK 99645.
Steven Wayne Faris
Steven Wayne Faris, 44, died Nov. 5, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer. A service is at 3 p.m., Nov. 20 at the Palmer Elks Lodge.
Steve was born Nov. 6, 1966, in Long Beach, Calif. He attended Palmer High School and University Christian School in Jacksonville, Fla.
Steve was the head diesel mechanic for First Student from 1997-2011. He loved spending time with family and friends, ATV riding, hunting, fishing, and in general just having a good time.
“Steve was the type of person who would help anyone with anything without hesitation, ” his family wrote. “He lived life to the fullest, and the most important thing to him was his family and friends.”
Steve is survived by his mother, Mary Sena (William) and father, Charles Faris; grandmother, Mildred Manaffey of Canyon, Texas; children, Erika, Robyn and Breanna Faris; and the mother of his children, Lori Syverson, all of Palmer; brothers, Gregory Faris, D’Wayne Faris of Jacksonville, Fla.; sisters, Pamela Faris (Seth France), Spring Ortega (Nicolas) and Dianna Faris; and nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends who loved him dearly.
Arrangements were with Legacy Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.
Cody Dennis
Cody Dennis, 14, of Houston died Oct. 10, 2011, after a 10-month battle against cancer.
Cody was born on Jan. 19, 1997, in Anchorage. He was a great brother, a wonderful son and an awesome friend. Although he was a bit shy until you got to know him, it didn’t take long for his many wonderful qualities to shine forth. He loved being with his family, he had a great group of friends and had a fun sense of humor. He shared his love of the outdoors with his family, and they spent many wonderful weekends building memories at their cabin.
Cody loved playing basketball and played every chance he had. He played for his Houston Middle School team through the eighth grade. After moving to the Seattle area for medical treatments, he developed a new passion — radio-controlled truck racing. Cody became very good at RC racing and earned several awards while also making many great friends who shared his love of RC racing. It was common to see Cody at the racetrack tickling and poking his mom and dad, and laughing with the guys as they raced around the track.
“Cody kept his sense of humor and his dignity to the very end, ” his family said. “His courage and graciousness, combined with his zest for life and his love for others, touched all those who had the privilege of knowing him.”
A celebration of life for Cody is at 2 p.m., Nov. 19, at Houston Middle School.
Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to the Cody Dennis Donation Fund at any Wells Fargo bank, to account No. 5535270820.
The family is starting a nonprofit organization called Cody’s Wish to raise awareness of osteosarcoma and connect families with kids with cancer. While in its very early stages, the website is codyswish.com. Donations will be used to get Cody’s Wish up and running and make positive changes for kids with cancer, in Cody’s name.
Herbert W. Weichert
Longtime Wasilla resident Herbert W. Weichert, 68, died Oct. 14, 2011, from a heart attack at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.
Celebrations of Herb’s life with family and friends were Oct. 20 at his home in Wasilla with Father Luz Flores officiating, and at the home of Barb Lyons and Bob Peca in Valdez on Oct. 22 with Father Frank Reitter officiating.
Herbert was born May 25, 1943, to Herbert Weichert Sr. and Ethel (Rector) in Lansing, Minn. He attended Austin High School in Austin, Minn. Herbert had worked at Hill Heating and Roofing in Austin, Minn. In July 1973, he made a lifelong dream come true when he came to visit Alaska. After arriving in Alaska, he decided to make Alaska his home.
On Nov. 17, 1973, he married Cynthia L. McAnally in the Catholic Church in Valdez. He had lived in Valdez for 30 years from 1973 to 2003 and worked for the state of Alaska/Harborview Memorial Hospital in Valdez from 1973-74 and for the city of Valdez/Public Works from 1974-93. He retired as a public works foreman from the city of Valdez in August 1993. Herbert was a Catholic and enjoyed woodcrafts, fishing, archery and trapshooting.
“Herb was a devoted brother, husband, father and grandfather to seven amazing grandchildren, ” his family said. “Although he was father to only two, he was considered an adopted dad by many close friends.”
He never knew a stranger and was always willing to help anyone in need. He had an amazing talent working with wood and many of his woodcrafts are displayed in Valdez, Wasilla and throughout the state. He had a wonderful work ethic and would never ask the city crew to do anything that he wouldn’t do first. At the time of his death, he and his wife were raising their 5-year-old granddaughter who enjoyed her grandfather’s stories and warm hugs. He was gentle, but consistent, in his demeanor with her. He will be remembered for his great smile, his wonderful humor and his dedication to family and friends. He will be in our hearts forever.”
Preceding him in death were his paternal and maternal grandparents; mother, Ethel (Rector) Weichert; nephew, Mark Leonard; father, Herbert Weichert Sr.; mother in-law, Edna C. (Hansen) McAnally; father in-law, John F. McAnally; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Combs and Donald Leonard; and sister-in-law, Lois Weichert.
Surviving are his wife, Cynthia L. Weichert of Wasilla; son, Herbert J. Weichert and his wife Pua of Valdez; daughter, Tammy L. Weichert of Anchorage; grandchildren, Herbert R. Weichert of Harvest, Ala., Dylan Weichert of Harvest, Ala., Elijah Weichert of Valdez, Logan Weichert of Valdez, Hannah Weichert of Valdez, Caitlynn Weichert-Winkfield of Odessa, Texas, Breshanae Brown-Weichert of Wasilla; sisters, Dorothy Combs of Des Moines, Iowa, Ramona Leonard of Rochester, Minn., Donna Weichert of Owatonna, Minn.; brothers, Paul Weichert of Gastonia, N.C., Dennis Weichert of Owatonna, Minn.; special friends, Barb Lyons and Bob Peca of Valdez, John and Tammy Martin of Wasilla; and his golden retrievers, Kiska and Lily.
Condolences may be sent to the family at 585 Ponderosa Loop, Wasilla, AK 99654.
BEBE GRAHAM
Wasilla resident Bebe Graham, 72, died of natural causes at Valley Hospital in Palmer on March 28, 2004.
A memorial service will be held at Peters Creek Christian Center, 20640 Chapel Drive in Chugiak, on Sunday, at 6 p.m. Pastor David Pepper will officiate. Mrs. Graham will be buried at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Clint Pettit, Zack Pettit, Steven DeHart Jr., Blain Graham, Troy Graham and David Petty.
Mrs. Graham was born Jan. 21, 1932, in Juneau.
She was a resident of Alaska throughout her life "living all over the state, " her family wrote.
Mrs. Graham was a member of Church on the Rock in Wasilla.
Tending her flowers and yard was one of her greatest pleasures. She also loved to play bingo.
Her family wrote, "Bebe was a fun-loving lady with a wonderful sense of humor. She was just naturally a kind, gentle person and never knew a stranger. She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. One of her finest traits was that she never judged anyone. She was full of love, and she had a very strong faith that she practiced daily. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but the example she showed will influence all their lives."
Her husband Tom Graham, father Fred Daniels, mother Rose Marker and great-grandson Josiah David Frerking preceded Mrs. Graham in death.
Mrs. Graham is survived by her children and their spouses, Fred and Linda Graham of Alaska, Danny Graham of Florida, Mike and Pam Graham of Alaska, Kathy and Donnie Delaney of West Virginia, Connie and Steve DeHart of Alaska, Judy and Walt Parrish of Alaska, Debbie and Doug Kadyk of Alaska and Crystle Hudson of Alaska; 21 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests a memorial donation to The River of Life, P.O. Box 13406, Trapper Creek, AK 99683.
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.
GARY R. KRAUS
Wasilla resident Gary Ralph Kraus, 53, died as a result of an auto collision on March 12, 2004.
A memorial service was held at Valley Funeral Home Chapel Wednesday, March 17. His ashes will be scattered around his property in Beverly Lake Estates.
Mr. Kraus was born Nov. 5, 1950, in New Ulm, Minn.
He attended Lathrop High School through the 11th grade, then earned his G.E.D.
Mr. Kraus moved to Alaska with his family in 1953.
He lived in Fairbanks until he was 18, and then moved to the Anchorage area until he made his home in the Wasilla area in 1978.
His family wrote that his interests included "always fixing some car, and he loved to hunt." They also said, "He also enjoyed wheeling and dealing anything and everything. Gary will be remembered for his ability to always make us laugh. He would lend a hand to anyone who needed it, whether he knew them or not. His kind heart and smiling eyes will be missed by us all."
Mr. Kraus is survived by his fianc/ Debra McAnulty of Wasilla; father Ralph "Whitey" Kraus of Fairbanks; brother and sister-in-law Bill and Lisa Kraus of Fairbanks; sister-in-law Charlott McAnulty of Wasilla; nieces Deserae, Tiana and Harley Kraus of Fairbanks; aunt Charline Groves of Kokomo, Ind.; grandmother Hertha Block ;and numerous other relatives in Minnesota.
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.
