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Dorothy Parks
Dorothy Parks, 86, died of natural causes Oct. 6, 2010, at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer.
Dorothy was born Oct. 4, 1924, in Hamilton, Ohio. She first moved to Alaska in 1955, starting out in Anchorage and Eagle River, then on to Palmer in the 1960s. Dorothy travelled extensively around the country, settling for a few years at a time a ranch in Arkansas, a farm in Indiana and a place in Florida. But she always came back to Alaska.
Dorothy loved to create all sorts of needlecraft, do gardening and cook. She loved to spoil her grandchildren with homemade goodies.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, James and Kathi Van Zant; grandchildren Kim Levesque, Richard Byers, David Byers and Ivory Van Zant; and great-granddaughter Emily Levesque.
Arrangements were with Legacy Funeral Homes and Cremation Services — Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.
Antone “Butch” Azevedo Simas III
Antone “Butch” Azevedo Simas III died Nov. 9, 2010. He was 43.
Antone was born Nov. 3, 1967, in Steamboat Springs, Colo., and came to Alaska in June 1984. He was well-liked by everyone he met. He was always helping his friends and family.
He loved Alaska, and his favorite pastimes included fishing and camping in the summer and snowmachining in the winter.
He is survived by ahis wife Heather Clair Simas; brother, Joseph A. Simas of Missouri, and a sister, Shamarita (Brian) Dalgatty of Idaho. He is also survived by his mother, Sharon Rollins, who lives in Wasilla, as do his three sons, Steven M. Simas, Justin R. Simas and Dexter B. Simas and Barbara Walker. Antone is also survived by his grandparents, Gilbert and Elsie Tipton of Idaho; aunts and uncles, Beverly and Rex Conway of Wasilla, Matt and Rhonda of Big Lake, Darla and Glen Butcha of Anchorage, Donny and Patty Darrah, Ronald and Roxie Tipton, and Geneva Graham, all of Idaho, and Melvin and Jean Laird of California; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Wayne Edwin Lacher
Matanuska Valley resident Wayne Edwin Lacher, 66, died Nov. 13, 2010, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.
At his request, there will be no services. His daughters will follow his wishes and scatter his ashes over his parents’ graves in the spring. A wake will be planned for December at a place and time not yet determined.
Wayne was born Dec. 15, 1943, at the original Anchorage Hospital to Edwin “Bud” and Mary (Chausse) Lacher. He attended school in Palmer and spent a short time in the U.S. Army. Wayne was an auto mechanic by trade and was very proud of his abilities in his field of work. Wayne was blinded in an automobile accident in 1994. He lived with his daughter, Samantha, for several years following his accident and was residing at an assisted living home in Wasilla prior to his passing.
Wayne liked a good joke, fishing and his favorite song was ”The Rodeo Song” by David Allan Coe.
Survivors include his daughter, Neaomie (Jeff) Mielke and her children Brittany and Chancy; daughter, Tammy (Dwayne) Ruth and her daughter, Jordan (Elry) Monroe and her children, Aubrie and Aiden; stepson, Ricky (Jennifer) Harrison; daughter, Renae Harrison and her children, Joshua, Jarek, Andrew, Chance, Denali and Shanae; daughter, Christina (Clay) Lacher; daughter, Samantha (Steve) Lacher-Ange and her daughter, Adaline; brother, Robert (Barbara) Lacher; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Keith Lacher, and grandson, Gage Duclos.
Arrangements are with Legacy Funeral Homes and Cremation Services — Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.
William Floyd
William Scott Floyd, 84, died Nov. 14, 2010, at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer. He was born March 12, 1926, in Auburn, Wash.
William was the son of James David Floyd and Flossie Ricker. He had four brothers: Harold, James (deceased), Joseph and Charles. At the age of 18 during World War II he entered the military and served honorably in the U.S. Navy for many years.
He was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and with his family enjoyed serving in the Church. William was a master craftsman and loved to work with and make things out of wood.
He worked in the lumber business for most of his life, owning a private lumber company in Anchorage for many years. In 1985, he married Pauleen Fishback and together they owned and operated a campground on Moose Creek in Trapper Creek.
William will be remembered most of all as a loving husband and caring father who loved to spend time with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Pauleen Floyd; three children from a previous marriage, W. Scott, Terry and Sandra; and six step-children, Robert, Leland, David, Maralee, Raeleen and Jeff.
He will be buried in the Fort Richardson National Cemetery with military honors Nov. 19 at 1 p.m. A memorial service will take place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 901 E. Bogard Road, Wasilla, on Nov. 20 at 12:30 p.m.
Sandra Lee Lindekugel
Memorial services for Wasilla resident Sandra Lee Lindekugel, 72, will be 3 p.m., Nov. 23, at the Wasilla Assembly of God Church, 125 N. Riley Ave.
Sandy died Nov. 14 at her Wasilla home. She was born Jan. 11, 1938, in Portland, Ore., to Genevieve and Clarence Kuhnhausen. She married Mervin Jackson in July 1954. They divorced in 1969 and she and their their children moved to Forest Grove, Ore.
She lived in the Mat-Su Valley from 1982 to 1988, moved back to Oregon from 1988 to 1996 and came back to Wasilla in 1996, where she lived the rest of her life. She tended bar at the Bailey Street Pub, Green Acres, Gilmores and the Kashim Inn in the Mat-Su Valley, the Dragon Fountain in Hisslboro, Ore., and Kay’s Bar & Grill in Portland, Ore.
Sandy was warm, loving and had a wonderful sense of humor. Her family and friends were her life. She was extremely proud of and awed by her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was truly a people person. She loved to cook and bake — the bigger the crowd, the better. She also liked to read, garden and can what she grew. She also liked dolphins and bowling.
Sandy is survived by her best friend and sweetheart, Larry Hamilton of Wasilla; daughters and their spouses, Debbi and Jim Hundley of Wasilla, Pamela Kennedy and Dawn Hanson, and Kathleen McElliott of Oregon; son and daughter-in-law, Michael Jackson and Cori Quistberg of Oregon; brother, Ivan Kuhnhausen of Oregon; 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Kuhnhausen and Genevieve Swoffard; sister, Sonja Kuhnhausen; and brothers Alvin (Sookey) and Vaughn (Bubs) Kuhnhausen.
Sandys ashes will be scattered at the Beach at Garibaldi, Ore.
Arrangements by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.
Stacy Charlene Martin Eyth
Stacy Charlene Martin Eyth, 45, died Nov. 7, 2010, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.
No services are planned by the family.
Stacy was born Oct. 18, 1965, in Springdale, Ark. She moved to Wasilla about 10 years ago, loved being in Alaska and enjoyed her time in Alaska.
Her family said she will be missed. Stacy’s mother, Fritzy Ann Woods, said she will miss Stacy asking what she was making for her birthday dinner and her mom’s dream cake. Stacy adored her younger brother Andy, who will miss her, along with the rest of her family and friends.
Her mom said, “There will be no more stray cats at my house now becasue Stacy could always find one who would come and live with them.”
Stacy is survived by her mother, Fritzy Ann Woods of Long Beach, Calif.; brother, Andrew J. Woods of Phoenix, Ariz.; sons, Anthony Martin of Orange, Calif., and Chase Martin of Illinois; and her daughters, Nicole Bryant and Erica Brant of Orange, Calif.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to Save a Pet, 67600 18th Ave., Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240.
The family was cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory of Wasilla.
John Franklin Price
Memorial services for John Franklin Price, 40, are Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. at New Life Christian Center at Mile 69 South Parks Highway in Willow. Pastor K. B. Tomkins will officiate.
John lost his battle with lymphoma cancer on Nov. 18, 2010, at his Wasilla home. He was born June 30, 1970, in Fresno, Calif., and came to Alaska in October 2008. He worked at Trans Alaska Mechanical.
John enjoyed fishing, hunting and the great outdoors. According to his family, “John was a loving husband and father. A perfect day for John would be fishing with his wife and children. He will be missed. Rest in peace until we meet again.”
John was preceded in death by his grandparents, James and Grace Still, and his grandmother LaVerne Ermoian.
John is survived by his wife, Tarah Price of Wasilla; daughters, Amanda of Phoenix, Ariz., and Keeana and Jade of Wasilla; sons, Pierce of Wasilla and Tristian of Sacramento, Calif.; parents, Doyle and Melba Price of Fresno; sister, Rachelle Braswell of Quincy, Calif.; and brother TZ Price of Fresno.
Arrangements by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.
John R. Martinson
Former Alaska resident John R. “Jack” Martinson, 62, died Nov. 3, 2010.
A service was held in Gabbs, Nev., on Nov. 5.
Jack was born March 30, 1948, in Ashland, Wisc., to John H. and Eleanor E. Martinson.
He married shortly after high school and had six children — David, Daniel, Collene, Samantha, John and Paul.
When he was 34, Jack met his wife, Paula “Jane” Toothman, through their parents. Six months later, they were on the road again on their way to Alaska, where they married and had two sons, Jedidiah and Jacob. His son John lived with them and was an important part of their family.
Jack, Jane and the boys traveled between Alaska and Arizona for many years. In Alaska, Jack loved to gather up a bunch of kids in dogsleds and ride snowmachines on the lakes. In Arizona, he would take his kids and their friends out camping in the desert and cook them breakfast over the campfire. He loved God.
Jack worked as a logger, miner and heavy equipment mechanic in Alaska, Arizona, Oregon and Nevada. He loved to travel and tell stories.
Jack learned he had lung cancer in October 2008. He fought hard and lived 13 months cancer-free.
He is survived by his wife, Jane; daughter-in-law Dee Martinson-Bush and her son of Arizona; son and daughter-in-law John and Jill Martinson and their children of Wasilla; son and daughter-in-law Jed and Mercedes Martinson and their children of Nevada; sons Jake of Texas, and Dan and Paul of Oregon; daughters Collene Martinson of New Mexico and Samantha Hatfield of Oregon; mother Eleanor; sisters Collene and Eleanor Kay; brothers Ken and Dan; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, numerous other grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, David, and his father.
Ronald LeRoy Swavely
Wasilla resident, Ronald LeRoy Swavely, 80, died Nov. 7, 2010.
Interment will take place at Fort Richardson National Cemetery at a later date.
Ronald was born Dec. 31, 1929, in Sioux City, S.D., to Roy Melvin and Hilda Matilda (Statum) Swavely. He moved to Alaska in 1961. When he re-enlisted in the Army he was transferred to Alaska and looked forward to being a part of the growth that would take place here.
He lived in the Eagle River area until 1980 and moved to Wasilla, where he lived until his death. He was an HO scale train enthusiast, especially the Great Northern and Alaska railroads, and also enjoyed doing genealogy.
He worked as a house framing building contractor, and his family said he will always be loved and missed by his family. He looked forward to joining his Lord and his wife, Joan, son, Robert and family in Heaven who preceded him in death.
Ronald was also preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Hilda.
He is survived by his sons, Leonard, Thomas of Palmer, Lawrence of Peters Creek and Darcy of Bethel, Wash.; daughter, Theresa Miller of Wasilla; sisters, Susan Smith of Minneapolis, Minn., and Sandra Otten of Sioux Falls; brothers, Bruce of Balsum Lake, Wisc., and Dennis of Elgin, Minn. He is also survived by seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter and a multitude of extended family, of which he was the patriarch.
The family is being cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory of Wasilla.
Robert Warren Crook
Wasilla resident Robert Warren Crook, 68, died Jan. 17, 2011, after a lengthy illness, with the love of life, Debra, by his side.
Bob was born March 15, 1942, and raised in Missouri. Bob joined the Army at an early age. He did a couple of tours in Vietnam and several stints as a tail gunner on B-52 aircraft. He also served on the Army rifle and pistol team and was considered a great marksman by those who knew him.
Bob helped truck Harley-Davidson Motorcycles to Alaska in the mid-’60s and was an avid fan and rider. Bob worked for the Anchorage School District for 35 years.
He was enjoying retirement when he became ill. He was always puttering on something.
He was known as the original “Bob the Builder” to those who knew and loved him.
He had a knack of being the greatest silent instigator; he could just wiggle his finger to get someone to do something. He enjoyed working on puzzling projects, cabinet making, anything automotive and/or electrical. He was an electrical administrator for more than 20 years. He was the major component for the pit crew for “Snoopy’s Group” running Chaparral snowmachines as well as Scorpions. His maintenance skills contributed to 10 consecutive wins straight up the Parks Highway to Fairbanks.
He was one of five children born to the late Edwin and Mildred Crook, and was the beloved husband of Debra Crook. Bob will forever be remembered by his devoted brother and his wife, Donnie and Cindy; loving sisters and their husbands, Ann and Duane Krings, Nan and Lloyd Sudder, and Jan and Jim Webb; children and their spouses, Tom and Janice Crook, Paula “Squeaks” and Jack Gorman, Shawn and Teresa Belotti, and Tony Belotti and Jennifer McMahill; grandchildren, Tristan, Tarna, Jeanette, Luke, Randi, Joey, Vinny and Timmy; great-grandchildren, Elliana, AJ, Isabella, Ethan and Dune; caring friends, Freelon and Eloise, David and Cathy, Alan and Dawn Stanberry, Ken and Peggy Young, Dennis and Michele Sims, Chuck and Betty Baker, Vonnie, Bo and Nancy Gruchow, Roy and Tammy and the clan at Little Cache, Chris and Sharon Johnson; and countless other friends and family who were blessed to know him. He will also be sorely missed by his Scotties Jack and Sassey.
Bob loved a good barbecue, a good roll of the dice, a great adventure and he had plenty. Bob was a teacher to all who knew him. He was the best husband, dad, pappy and great-grandpappy, as well as friend. His favorite saying to his wife was, “Love you more, ” and he pretended his worst saying from her was, “Honey, I was thinking.” He loved being with his family and having fun with friends.
Bob touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity, and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end. Bob is now soaring with the eagles.
Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of life sometime this summer at a time to be announced.
