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Elsa L. Pedersen
Sterling, Alaska
Sterling resident Elsa Louise Pedersen died Sunday, Nov. 25, 2001 at her home in Sterling.
She was 86.
At Mrs. Pedersen’s request, no services are planned.
Her ashes will be scattered on the westward facing slope of the Kenai Mountains south of Skilak Lake.
Mrs. Pedersen was born on May 15, 1915 and reared in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Elsa (Kienitz) Pedersen moved to Ketchikan, Alaska in 1943, where she worked as a secretary to Emery F. Tobin, editor and publisher of the Alaska Sportsman, now Alaska Magazine.
In 1944, she homesteaded at Bear Cove, at the head of Kachemak Bay, 15 miles east of Homer.
She has lived on the Kenai Peninsula since that time.
In the 1950s and 1960s she worked in the fisheries industry in Seldovia, as a secretary and bookkeeper.
A freelance writer for more than 40 years, she wrote 13 books for young people, including ‘Cook Inlet Decision,’ ‘Alaska Harvest’ and ‘House Upon A Rock.’
She was also the author of many articles published in national and Alaska magazines.
She was a frequent contributor to the Anchorage Daily News, “We Alaskans” section and a staff writer for the “Senior Voice.”
Her newest book, ‘Kachemak Bay Years’ will be out before Christmas.
She married Walter Pedersen in 1972 and moved to Sterling, where she lived happily for the rest of her life.
She and her husband edited, published and partially wrote ‘A Small History of the Western Kenai’ and ‘A Larger History of the Kenai Peninsula.’
Mrs. Pedersen was preceded in death by her husband; a brother, William A. Kienitz of Utah; and a sister, Edith Mercer of California.
She is survived by her stepdaughter, Kathleen Pedersen-Haley, son-in-law, John M. Haley; two nieces; a nephew; and good friends Susan and Dave Gilbertson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Providence House, 3200 Providence Dr., Anchorage, AK 99508.
Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Irvin Resch
Ninilchik, Alaska
Ninilchik resident Irvin Edward Resch died at the Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna on November 27, 2001.
He was 86 years old.
At his request there will be no services.
Mr. Resch was born December 2, 1914 in Kansas City, Missouri.
He earned a Bachelors of Arts Degree from the University of Kansas City.
Mr. Resch moved to Alaska in 1953 and lived in Anchor Point from 1953 – 1990 and Ninilchik since 1990.
He worked for the US Coast Guard and the Merchant Marine from 1941 until he retired in 1957.
He also served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Anchor Point.
Mr. Resch was survived by his friends Leroy and Betty Martin of Anchor Point and his nephew Steve Hocker of Missouri.
Arrangements by the Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Franklin W. Erie
Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks resident, Mr. Franklin W. Erie, died Thursday, November 29th, 2001, at his home in Fairbanks. He was 68.
Frank was born on January 23rd, 1933, in Moline, Illinois.
He served two years in the Army during the Korean War, and was employed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a surveyor, inspector & project engineer. Frank retired in 1989.
Frank joined the Mason's Tanana Lodge #162 in 1969.
He later became a charter member of Fairbanks Lodge #12, serving later as the lodge's Master.
In 1991, Frank was Grand Master of Masons in Alaska.
He was a member of the Alaska Shrine and all the affiliated Masonic organizations; Frank loved serving in them all.
He was a Thirty-Three Degree Scottish Rite and a KCCH York Rite Mason and served as Worthy Patron of the Eastern Star.
He also served as Royal Patron of the Order of Amaranth..
When Frank was not working or serving in the various Masonic organizations, he enjoyed painting and fishing.
His family said, "Frank was our greatest joy, a very talented artist; he was always a pleasure to be with."
Frank was preceded in death by his mother, Lillian Williams; and his father, Fred Erie.
Frank is survived by his brother, George Erie & his wife Marjorie Erie and three nephews and nieces.
Memorial service were held at the Fairbanks Masonic Temple Tanana #3 (809 1st Avenue) on Friday, December 7th, 2001, at 4:00 PM.
Arrangements cared for by Fairbanks Funeral Home.
Celia M. Hunter
Fairbanks, Alaska & Anchorage, Alaska
Alaska environmental advocate Celia Hunter died peacefully in her cabin at Dogpatch in Fairbanks on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2001.
She was 82, and had been hale and exuberant, as always.
Celia was born Jan. 13, 1919, in Arlington, Wash., and grew up during the Depression.
From it she said she learned, "I've been as far down as I will ever go, and I survived. You don't worry after that."
She didn't worry.
She admired Amelia Earhart, and said learning to fly in 1940 lifted her out of Arlington into a global world.
"The viewpoint from on high is so different, and so much more comprehensive," she said.
Flying taught her, "When you become good at something, when you step out of the crowd, you're making your way.
It gives you the confidence to do practically anything."
She flew with the Women's Air Force Service Pilots in World War II, ferrying fighter planes from factories to ports of embarkation for the Asian and European fronts.
There was no environmental movement in Alaska when Celia arrived in 1947.
She said "the consciousness for it was not yet born, neither in us nor around us."
Working alongside her friend Ginny Wood, she became one of the movement's architects.
She helped found Alaska's first environmental organization, and was in the front lines fighting against Project Chariot and the Rampart Dam project, for expansion and preservation of Denali National Park, protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and more.
She followed her passion, educated herself on the issues, formed alliances across the spectrum, and remained willing to keep talking and listening no matter how fervent the disagreement.
Her style of advocacy won friends from Alaska's villages to Congress, and helped her become influential on a national stage.
She called environmentalism a conservative cause.
"We don't feel that you should take the chance of destroying something that can never be replaced or repaired."
Celia was a pilot, adventurer, traveler, entrepreneur, founder of Fairbanks Nordic Ski Club and Interior Alaska Land Trust.
She co-founded and ran Camp Denali, a wilderness resort in the Kantishna area of Denali National Park.
She was an avid reader and writer, a lifelong student, and by faith, a Quaker.
She was interested and passionate about life and the planet, endeavoring always to be 'present in the moment.'
She loved cross-country skiing, the outdoors, a succession of beloved dogs, many friends and correspondents.
Celia leaves behind her companion Ginny Wood, Romany Wood and Carl Rosenberg, sister Charlotte Krause, sister-in-law Rose Hunter, and cousins Joyce Smith and Dr. Jerilynn Prior.
She will be deeply missed by family and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Northern Alaska Environmental Center or Alaska Conservation Foundation.
In Fairbanks, a celebration of her life was held at Chena River Convention Center, Sunday, Dec. 9, beginning at 6 p.m.
In Anchorage, memorial celebration, hosted by the Alaska Conservation Foundation, was held Sunday, Dec. 16, at Campbell Creek Science Center, from 2-5 p.m.
Arrangements were by Fairbanks Funeral Home.
