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Donald L. Brothers
Palmer resident Donald L. Brothers, 68, died Jan. 31, 2011, at his home.
Don was born Sept. 18, 1942, in Dayton, Penn., the son of Clair and Jessie Elizabeth (Neville) Brothers. He attended school in Punxsutawney, graduating with the Punxsutawney High School class of 1960.
In June 1960, Don began his career serving the country in the U.S. Air Force. On Jan. 26, 1962, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Wilson in Wichita Falls, Texas. In his 21-year career in the Air Force, the family lived in New Mexico, California, Mississippi, Minnesota, Japan and Alaska. Don also served in Turkey and Thailand.
Following his September 1981 retirement from the Air Force, Don worked for MCI in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Phoenix, Ariz. He retired from MCI in 1998 and the family moved to Capitan, N.M., where Don served as commander of the American Legion. In August 2008, Don and Mary moved to Alaska, where Don enjoyed woodworking, photography, fishing and bowling.
In addition to Mary, his wife of 49 years, Don is survived by three children, Donald Scott Brothers of Palmer, Tamara Ann Brothers of Palmer and Robert William Brothers of Wasilla; his brother, William Raymond Brothers and his wife Maxine of Alexandria, Va.; and his pride and joy, his nine grandchildren: Senior Airman Kevin M. Brothers, who is stationed in Balad, Iraq, where he serves his country in the U.S. Air Force, Kyle Andrew Brothers, Warren Chadwick McNeil, Connor Justin McNeil, River Dawn Brothers, Jordyn Elisabeth McNeil, Willow Rose Brothers, Cloud William Brothers and Sirius Ash Alexander Brothers.
His parents, Clair and Jessie, and one brother, Warren Clair, preceded Don in death.
Full military honors will be conferred upon Don in a graveside service today, Feb. 4, at 2:30 p.m. at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery. Friends are asked to meet at the front gate of Fort Richardson prior to 2 p.m. for the military escort.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made either to Mat-Su Hospice or the American Cancer Society. Valley Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Alicia M. Storie
Alicia M. Storie, 25, died Jan. 30, 2010.
Alicia was born Dec. 21, 1985, in Washington, Mo. She moved to Wasilla in 1994.
She is survived by her father, Tim; daughter, Natalie; brother, Lucas; grandparents, Fred and Alidia Olson, in Montana; and grandmothers, Geraldine Gerschske in Missouri and Ann Storie in Arkansas. She is also survived by many other family members in Montana and Missouri. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Her mother, Teresa, preceded her in death in 2003.
Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the Alicia Storie Memorial Fund through Valley Funeral Home, 151 East Herning, Wasilla, AK 99654. The proceeds of her memorial fund will be used to help raise her daughter, Natalie.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Valley Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
John (Jack) M. Stevenson
John (Jack) M. Stevenson, 91, died Jan. 26, 2011, of natural causes at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer.
Born Nov. 13, 1919, in Spokane, Wash., to Joseph and Virginia (Sullins) Stevenson, he was raised in New Mexico, where he remembered traveling by covered wagon, and Skagit, Wash. He married Corinne E. Swisher in January 1939. They remained married until her death in 1985. During World War II, Jack worked as a cook on a fireboat guarding Puget Sound and drove a taxi.
After the war, Jack and Corinne started the first radio-dispatched taxi business in Seattle. Upon selling his taxi business, Jack went to work for Seattle City Light in a substation and then became one of the first safety supervisors for the city.
He moved to the city water department as safety supervisor for several years before retiring in 1974. Upon retiring from the city of Seattle, Jack realized his dream of moving to Alaska, the Last Frontier, where he could work on the pipeline. He initially drove taxi in Anchorage and then went to work for the state of Alaska as a safety inspector on the pipeline. Jack brought his family to Alaska in 1976 and lived in Valdez, moving to Anchorage in 1977 and to the Valley in 1982. He retired from the state of Alaska in 1981.
After retiring, he and Corinne traveled between Washington and Alaska. After her death, Jack was able to become the “junk” man he always wanted to be, going to and holding garage sales and building cabins. He will be fondly remembered for these unique buildings and times.
Jack is survived by his sister, Joanne Stevens Morton; three children, Richard, Joseph (Sharon) and Cheri (Brian) Hagen; grandchildren, Sean, Michael, Michelle, Deserae, Brandy, C.J., Tara, and Skye; and five great-grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his brother, Robert, and his wife, Corinne.
The family is planning a family memorial service this summer in Washington to spread his ashes.
Cynthia Mae Plano Gunter
Cynthia Mae Plano Gunter, 98, of Benton City, Wash., died Jan. 7, 2011.
She was born May 13, 1912, in Arlington, Wash.
Cynthia was raised in Darrington, Wash. She contracted tuberculosis after high school and spent the next five years in a sanitarium. She married John Warren Plano on Dec. 16, 1939, and they couple moved to Palmer with their son in 1951.
Cynthia Mae Plano Gunter
Cynthia and her dear friend, Doris Simpson, opened the first drive-in café in Alaska in 1954. It was located along the Knik River and was the home of the original “Husky Burger.” Cynthia continued to live and work in Alaska after Warren’s death in 1957.
She moved back to the Lower 48 in 1962 and married George Gunter on Dec. 19, 1963. They settled in Benton City after George retired.
Cynthia’s kindness and generosity were felt by many through all of her volunteer efforts and open-door policy. She donated her time to help with multiple projects at the school and food bank and crocheted more than 100 hats for the military. She was known for her collections and was especially proud of her doll collection.
The highlights of her life were when she would spend time with family. She started an annual gathering of the family more than 15 years ago and always looked forward to that springtime event.
Cynthia is survived by her son, Dan and Cindy Plano; grandson, Greg Plano; great granddaughter, Kayleen Plano; sister, Joanne (Pete) and Jack Lafeman; step-son, Dale and Sharon Gunter; and many nieces and nephews.
Her parents, two husbands, a grandson, seven siblings and a stepson preceded Cynthia in death. A memorial/celebration of life service is at 12:30 p.m., April 3 at the First United Methodist Church in Benton City.
Edith Arnold Morgan
Early Alaskan Edith Arnold Morgan, 89, died in Wasilla on Feb. 10, 2011, of natural causes.
Born Edith Hoop on May 11, 1921, in Ellensburg, Wash., she came to Nome with her family in 1932. In 1939, Edith was crowned Miss Nome and enjoyed the adventure of flying to Fairbanks with well-known bush pilot Noel Wein for the Territorial competition.
After graduation from high school, she married Wilbur Arnold. During the war years, Edith and Wilbur left Nome to live in Washington and Oregon. They returned to Nome in 1953, where they raised five children and provided care for her brother, Budd Hoop. She and Wilbur owned and operated Arctic Sanitary Service until Wilbur’s death in 1963. Edith was then appointed postmaster of the Nome Post Office and served until 1974.
Edith left Nome in 1974 to marry an old family friend, Frank Morgan. They enjoyed their retirement years in Anchorage, California and Colorado. It was during these years that Edith found the artist in herself. She handmade many beautiful quilts for her family and then set her heart on craft painting. She found joy in painting and sharing her artwork with family and friends. After Frank’s death in 1995, Edith eventually moved back to Alaska in 2001 to live with her daughter in Wasilla.
Her family writes, “Our mother worked hard to make the growing up years the best they could be. She was hardworking, affectionate and had a positive influence on our lives. Her pleasing personality made her a pleasure to be with. She had a smile that could cheer anyone. She always found time for school activities, Boy and Girl Scouts, camping, berry picking, fishing and all the other childhood activities five children can dream up. She was there for us.”
Edith was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Emily Hoop; brother, Budd; husbands, Wilbur Arnold and Frank Morgan; and grandson Geoffrey Arnold.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Raymond (Betha) Arnold Palo Alto, Calif., Richard (Arlene) Arnold of Brighton, Colo., Alice (Gary) Smith of Wasilla, Ted (Betty) Arnold of Anchorage and Nancy (Paul) Denyer of Anchorage; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements
Theodore E. Martinson
Longtime Alaska resident Theodore E. Martinson, 76, died unexpectedly Jan. 26, 2011.
Also known as “Ted, ” “Daddy, ” “Poppa” and “Uncle Teddy, ” he was born in Hayward, Wisc., Dec. 21, 1934.
Ted worked as a diesel mechanic in Alaska and the Southwest United States most of his career. After retirement, he enjoyed the Arizona sunshine, motorcycles, collecting cars and a good garage sale. He was a hard worker, a traveler, an adventurer, storyteller, craftsman and a friend to many. But mostly, he was a mentor, inspiration and a hero to his family.
He was a patient and gentle father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and a loyal and caring husband. In his eyes, the sun rose and set in his family.
“My dad was my hero!” his daughter said. “He raised his children with kind words and enthusiasm. He instilled confidence and passion in his children, grandchildren and those close to him. Family was everything to him. ‘Pop’ leaves a long legacy of love, respect, friends and family.
He is loved and missed greatly by his four children, Kenneth “Scott” Martinson, Tammy J. Graham, Diana “Dede” L. Bland and Dawn M. Martinson; 12 grandchildren, Luisa Jester, Christopher Keene, Kasper Ducey, Samantha Keene, Krystal Martinson, Michael Martinson, Nova Martinson, Ethan Martinson, Justin T. Buzby, Nicholas W. Buzby, Keaton R. Bland and Kevin M. T. Martinson; 12 great-grandchildren; his wife of nine years, Janet K. Martinson; sisters, Margaret “Peg” Swanson, Vivienne Girardin and Beth Scheer; brother-in-law, George Scheer; and brother, Charles R. Martinson. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and in-laws.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Jeanne A. “Honey” Martinson. A celebration of life will be held at American Legion Post 35 in Wasilla at 3 p.m., Feb. 13.
Brady Larue Drummond Jr.
Brady Larue Drummond Jr. was born Nov. 10, 1942, in Vancouver, Wash., graduating from West High School in Bremerton, Wash., in 1960.
After serving four years with the USAF as an air traffic controller, he went to work for the FAA as an air traffic controller in Auburn, Wash. Brady transferred with the FAA to Delta Junction in January 1967 with his first wife, Penny Legault Davis, then to the FAA Anchorage Center in the summer of 1968.
He had two children with Penny — Christine R. Drummond was born in Bremerton, and their son, Richard B. Drummond, was born in Anchorage.
He transferred back to Washington state with the FAA in the late 1970s, returning to Alaska for the final time in 1982.
Brady was preceded in death by his parents, Brady Sr. and Arlene L. Drummond. He leaves behind his wife, Linda K. Drummond; and his two children, Richard of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Christine of Anchorage; along with three sisters in Bremerton, Beverly Haney, Barbara Gutierrez and Sharon Kultti; and his brother, Michael Drummond of El Cajon, Calif. He is also survived by six stepchildren, Michelle, Tammy, Charlene, Angela, Michael, Aimee and their children; and numerous other family members.
Brady requested his ashes be scattered at his beloved Nancy Lake property in Willow, his favorite place in Alaska and where he enjoyed much time with his best friend, a golden retriever named Bandit.
No services are planned. A celebration of life will be held in Scottsdale, Ariz., with gathered family members.
RAYMOND STEVE GEORGE
A Celebration of Life for Wasilla resident Raymond Steve George, 76, will be Friday at 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father William Fournier officiating.
A visitation will be at the church beginning at 1 p.m. until service time. Private burial will be at a later date at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers are Patrick George, Luke George, Brett Keene, Miles George, Jake George, Brad George, Jet George, Cole George and Chancie Hanson.
Raymond died June 11, 2010, from complications of hairy cell leukemia. He was born in Wilma, Wash., on June 23, 1933. He served in the Navy from 1952 to 1960 and was on the USS Kearsarge from 1952 to 1956. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Idaho in 1961. He came to Alaska in 1965 and lived in Anchorage from 1965 to 1972 and then in Wasilla from 1972 until his passing. He worked for the U.S. Geological Survey in Anchorage from 1965 until his retirement in 1985.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and St. Michaels Catholic Church. Ray enjoyed Seawolf hockey, halibut fishing in Deep Creek and camping and fishing on the Kenai. Many years he was involved with the building committee at Sacred Heart.
According to his family, “Dad passed peacefully with family by his side. He will be remembered for how he made each of us feel loved. He never had an unkind word and was always a gentleman. He was a positive example to us with his commitment to faith, family and country.”
He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Nancy Elizabeth George, and three brothers, Archie, Don and Henry George.
He is survived by four sons and daughters-in-law, Stan and Brenda George and Andrew and Stephanie George both of Wasilla, Martin and Caroline George of Palmer and Bryan George of Sutton; two daughters and sons-in-law, Alicia and Floyd Hernandez of Katy, Texas, and Margaret and Kevin Keene of Wasilla; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Lee and Virginia Moberly of Middleton, Idaho; two sisters, Margaret Johnson of Gifford, Idaho, and Marie Price of Lewiston, Idaho; three sisters-in-law, Pat George of Kamiah, Idaho, Shirley Halleen and Eileen George, both of Lewiston, Idaho; grandchildren, Patrick George, Melissa George, Haley George, Luke George, Price Hernandez, Eli Hernandez, Olivia Hernandez, Kristina Voelk, Jenny Voelk, Derek and Amanda George, Miles George, Jake George, Brad George, Jet George, Cole George, Karl George, Mateis George, Kristi Keene and Brett Keene; and one great-granddaughter, Kali Mueller.
The family has requested that memorial contributions be directed to the Blood Bank of Alaska, 4000 Laurel St., Anchorage, AK 99508.
Arrangements by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory, Wasilla.
