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Elizabeth Georgetta Getts-McGriff
Wasilla resident Elizabeth Georgetta Getts-McGriff, 78, died Feb. 14, 2011, at her home in Wasilla from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Elizabeth was born July 10, 1932, in Portland, Mich., the daughter of Raymond Orin and Margerette Agnes (Phillips) Reed.
A viewing for family and friends is at 11 a.m. today with a Rosary at 11:30 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1201 Bogard Road, Wasilla. A Mass of Christian Burial is at noon and burial will follow the services at Wasilla-Aurora Cemetery in Wasilla.
Elizabeth attended high school in Portland, Mich., and worked as a nurse’s aide in Portland. She will be remembered by her family as a domestic engineer who took care of her family and the friends she made along her life’s journey. Her family said she enjoyed coin collecting, along with knitting and crocheting, gardening and yard work. She was a football fan who also enjoyed watching “Wheel of Fortune, ” playing Yahtzee, doing crossword puzzles, playing bingo and reading a good book.
Elizabeth moved to Alaska in 1962 and lived in Willow until 1980, when she left and then moved to Florida in 1988. She then moved to Ava, Ill., until 2008, when she returned to Alaska, where she lived until her death. She was active in the communities where she lived and was one of the Pioneers in the Willow Catholic Church. She also was known as the founder of the Willow Bee’s. She was the champion at the Willow Winter Carnival in the Sweed-Saw event and involved in the PTA when her children were growing up. She served as the Brownie den mother and made donations to the Willow school and carnival, which her family said showed how much she loved being a part of her community in Alaska. Her love of country was shown in her membership to the VFW.
Elizabeth will be remembered by her family as a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend to all who knew her, and will be dearly missed because of her way of caring for her family and friends by sending cards to them on special occasions with clippings from newspapers to commemorate their awards and celebrations. Elizabeth was always willing to give good, sound advice to her family and friends. Her family will remember her cooking and canning, which she did for them. Her grandchildren will fondly remember calling her “Grams” or “Mema.”
On behalf of her grandchildren, grandson Roland wrote that “it makes sense for God to have taken our grandmother on Valentine’s Day, and I will tell you why. Just a few days back when her grandson Roland was visiting grandma with his wife Erica and their daughter, Willow, she was not able to say much, but she did remind me to take care of my wife and babies — but she referred to them as her babies. Grandma always reminded me to do this every time I saw her, and I am sure she has told this to all of her grandchildren at least once or twice. I have always looked up to grandma for this reason. Her love of her children, grandchildren and her great-grandchildren was her passion in life. Her face would light up and would just make her the happiest person in the world any time we came to see her. Our grandmother always spoke so dearly of our late grandfather. She loved to tell us how great a man he really was and would tell the many memories that she had of him, and then would just sit back in her chair and smile and you could see her remembering it as if it was just yesterday. Our grandmother had a great big heart, and that is where she keeps us all and where I know we will all keep her. This is why God has taken our dearly beloved grandmother on Valentine’s Day. It is the day we remember love and what love really is, and no better day to bring our grandmother home!”
Elizabeth is survived by her daughters, Rayleene Getts of Willow, Julie Getts-Fulton of Wasilla and Robin Getts-Tresham of Willow and Wasilla; sons-in-law, Mike Fulton of Wasilla and Roland Tresham of Willow and Wasilla.
She is also survived by her grandsons, Joseph Beech of Palmer, Kenneth Smith of Wasilla and Jeremy “Boone” Tanner of Wasilla, Shane Voelk of Anchorage, and Roland and Reed Tresham of Wasilla; granddaughters, Kelly Yaden-McDonald of Penacook, N.H., Misty Crawl-Vanderweele of Palmer, Kimberly Yaden of Wasilla, Gina Beech of Columbia, S.C., Shannon Voelk-Casey of Chugiak, Kasandra “Kassi” Tresham-Nicoll of Wasilla and Julie “Autee” Tweety of Palmer. Also surviving are her granddaughters-in-law Aimee Able-Beech of Palmer and Erica Mathews-Tresham; grandsons-in-laws Dennis McDonald of Penacook, N.H., Glen Vanderweele of Palmer and Jacob Nicoll of Palmer; and 22 great-grandchildren and one more on the way; brother, Charles Reed of Lansing, Mich., and sister Hazzel Simmons of Portland, Mich.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Kenneth Getts; husband, William McGriff; daughters, Teresa Getts-Voelk and Kendra Getts-Goodwin; and brothers, Raymond and John Reed.
The family suggests remembrances be made to the family c/o Robin Tresham 176 E. Park Ave., Wasilla, AK 99654-8018.
The family was cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory Wasilla.
Nellie Marie Jacobs
Nellie Marie Jacobs, 88, died Feb. 10, 2011, at home in Willow of natural causes.
Pastor K.B. Tompkins will officiate at a celebration of her life at 1 p.m., Feb. 19 at the New Life Christian Center in Willow.
Nellie was born June 1, 1922, in Brainerd, Minn. She became an Alaska resident in 1988 and resided in Willow.
She loved cooking, canning, knitting, crocheting, smoking fish, making soap and gardening. Nellie was a housewife and mother, and liked to tell people she was a domestic engineer. She was everyone’s go-to grandma. She loved teaching younger people how to do things like canning and soap making. She was always sharing recipes and trying new ones. She enjoyed special friendships with the staff at the dialysis clinic and “her boys” Roaul and Kenny, who were very special to her.
She is survived by her children, Franklin Jacobs of Brainerd, Minn., Dale Jacobs of Willow, Della Creen of Brainerd; step-son, Tomas Jacobs of Lake Park, Calif.; grandchildren, Clint, Wyatt, Douglas, Jimmy, Edith, Shane, Peter, Isla, Cindy, Joe, Scott, Ashley, Jason, Mindy, Vesta, Joanie and Jill; 34 great-grandchildren; sister, Isla Ingholm of Brainerd; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Jacobs; sons, James Jacobs and Michael Jacobs; three brothers and two sisters.
Arrangements entrusted to Legacy Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.
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 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.
Loren Francis Scharber
Former Wasilla resident Loren Francis Scharber, 78, died Feb. 3, 2011 at his home in Foreston, Minn., from a massive heart attack.
Loren was born in Rogers, Minn., on Oct. 29, 1932, to Albert and Helen (Ferrian) Scharber. He attended school in the small farming community of Rogers and completed eighth grade, as he walked to and from school and Rogers had no high school. Loren became a teacher’s aide until he was 18. He joined the U.S. Army from 1953-55. After his discharge, he met and married the love of his life, Audrey V. Eychaner. They had three children, Michael, Terri and Kevin.
They moved to Alaska in 1964 and lived in the Anchorage and Chugiak areas until 1974, when they moved to Wasilla. In 1980, Loren started Wasilla Auto Salvage with his family.
Loren loved to travel and didn’t think anything of taking all the grandkids. He was a very loving and thoughtful person, and was always there to help anyone. He loved mowing grass, riding snowmachines, charity work and sitting in the sun.
Loren will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey “Punky” Scharber; sons, Michael and Kevin Scharber; parents, Albert and Helen Scharber; sisters, Loraine Sorakos and Shirly Gnewikow; and brothers, Harvey and Arnold Scharber.
Loren’s surviving family in Wasilla includes his daughter, Terri Caswell; son-in-law, Vern Caswell; grandchildren, Mikey and Kirsten Scharber, Matthew Scharber, Jackie Caswell, Sonny Caswell, Amanda Caswell, Robert and Tiffany Caswell, and Tracy and Kimberly Scharber; and many great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his brother, Dale and Thelma Scharber of New Mexico; brother-in-law, Clifford and Lori Eychaner of Minnesota; sister-in-law, Dorothy Monroe of Minnesota; sister-in-law Tara Scharber of Wasilla; many nieces and nephews in Minnesota; and a lot of special friends all over.
Services were held in Minnesota with full military honors as a Korean War veteran.
His ashes were flown to Alaska for a remembrance service at Schrock Road Community Church at 2 p.m., Feb. 26. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Hannah Grace Roberts
Wasilla resident Hannah Grace Roberts, 19, died Feb. 19, 2011, from cancer surrounded by family at her home.
Funeral services are at 1 p.m., today at Immanuel Baptist Church, 855 South Trunk Road in Palmer. Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pastor Ben Burtch will officiate. Graveside services will be at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery. A gathering will immediately follow the services at the church.
Hannah was born Oct. 13, 1991, to Douglas Timothy and Margaret E. (Blanchard) Roberts in Riverdale, Ga. She moved to Wasilla in 2001, where she was home-schooled and graduated. Hannah had worked at All I Saw Cookware in Wasilla. She was a member of the Valley Baptist Tabernacle and Immanuel Baptist Church. Hannah had also worked as a dog trainer for Alaska Assistance Dogs from 2009 to 2011. She enjoyed animals, witnessing for Christ and scrapbooking.
“Hannah was a loving and caring individual whose primary objective in life was to see others come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. All that she was and hoped to be was motivated by that one desire. She finished well, ” wrote her family.
Preceding her in death were her sister, Autumn Joy Roberts and brother, Jacob Roberts.
She is survived by her parents, Douglas T. and Margret E. Roberts of Wasilla; brother, Joshua T. Roberts of Wasilla; sisters, Charity F. and JoyAnna H. Roberts, both of Wasilla; grandmothers, Martha L. Blanchard of Wasilla and Janice F. McDaniel of North Carolina.
Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home.
Nuria Fulgencio
Wasilla resident Nuria Fulgencio, 74, died Feb. 16, 2011, in Anchorage of complications from an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Nuria was born March 3, 1936, in Havana, Cuba. Her fond childhood memories included many horseback rides with a young Fidel Castro.
Her family moved to the Yucatan in Mexico, to Europe (where she attended school in Spain) and later to Panama, where she was Miss Panama in 1953. Nuria married John Pistro in 1954. They moved to Colorado Springs later that year. There, she gave birth to Diana, Butch and Mitchell.
In 1960, they moved to Los Angeles, where she married James Troiano. Their daughter, Patty, was born in 1963. Nuria moved to Alaska in 1967, living in Emmonak for a year before relocating to Anchorage and working at Peggy’s Café, Peanut Farm, Anchorage General Hospital, an at-risk teenage girls’ home, RSVP, McLaughlin Youth Center and at the city Community Work Service program, where she met the love of her life, Fred Fulgencio.
They married in 1986. Nuria retired in 1989 and became a well-known artist, specializing in oil painting. She also enjoyed her Hispanic culture, the Coptic Fellowship, spiritualism and road trips to Anchor Point. She was also active in dog and cat rescue missions in Anchorage and Wasilla.
Preceding her in death was her husband, John Pistro and son, Butch Pistro.
She is survived by her loving husband of 24 years, Fred Fulgencio; daughters, Diana Pistro-Cole and Patty Houck of Kodiak; sons, Mitchell Pistro of Wasilla and Craig Hanson of Palmer; sons-in-law, Steve Cole, Jim Houck and Raleigh Eager of Kodiak; grandchildren, Nicole Vosgien, Lennon Cole and Joey Houck of Kodiak, and Michael and James Pistro of Wasilla. She is survived by relatives in Miami, Panama, and Cuba, and by soul sisters, Edmona Sanders and Lynn Freeman.
A Coptic Fellowship Service and family Celebration of Life is March 6 at 1 p.m. at the Russian Jack Greenhouse on DeBarr and Boniface, where Nuria and Fred married. Potluck to follow.
Arrangements by Cremation Society of Alaska.
Patricia Ann Ray
Palmer resident Patricia Ann Ray, 74, died surrounded by her family Feb. 17, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center due to complications from a brain tumor.
Patricia was born to Richard and LaVerne Diedrich (Leifer) on Sept. 16, 1936, in Milwaukee, Wisc. She came to Alaska on May 14, 1949, with her parents and siblings via the Alaska Highway. They homesteaded in Sutton, a homestead still owned and resided on by the family.
Pat was a customer service representative for Matanuska Telephone Association and Pacific Telecom. She retired in the early 1990s. She also spent many summers working at the Palmer Visitor’s Center, including the past summer.
The family writes: “Our mother (grandma) had a unique way of looking at the world. She always said if there was a way to do things backward or upside-down, she would find it. She filled our lives with love, laughter and joy, and was always a steadfast pillar of strength. Her life, love, and faith in the Lord were an inspiration to us all and she touched so many lives with her one-of-a-kind character and compassion. She didn’t have an easy life, but she had an unshakable faith in Christ and great courage. She was a genuine encourager to others, and would look for opportunities to help others who were facing hardships.
“Persevering through different trials allowed her to be able to give hope and direction to others who had difficulties. No matter what the circumstance was, she always had a way to make each one of us feel special and loved. In fact, as a grandmother goes, she was the kind who served pizza and chocolate milk for breakfast and loved you so much you never wanted to go home. She was always involved in all of our lives. We did so much together and we will feel the loss of her laugh, her smile and her enthusiasm. We love and miss her more than words could ever say, but we are comforted in knowing that she is rejoicing in heaven and that we will see her again.”
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Betsy Smith of Fort Gibson, Okla.; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Norman Jones of Wasilla; daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Peter Gallardo of Palmer; grandchildren, Julie Miller (Jesse), Michael Jones (Gina), Rebekah Bell (Zach), Steven Gallardo (Sonia), Kimberly Gallardo, Brendan Smith (Annie), Bethany Smith and Katie Smith; great-grandchildren, Hailey Parris, Aidan and Cienna Bell, and Abigail Miller; sisters, Deanna Burnett and Jeanne Hearn; brother, Richard Diedrich; and her nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is Feb. 26, at 1 p.m. at Family Christian Center, 203 W. Dogwood, Palmer, with a graveside service to follow at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery. The family suggests anyone wanting to make memorial donations send them to Heartreach Pregnancy Center, 924 Leatherleaf Loop, Wasilla, AK 99654.
Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
Loren Francis Scharber
Former Wasilla resident Loren Francis Scharber, 78, died Feb. 3, 2011 at his home in Foreston, Minn., from a massive heart attack.
Loren was born in Rogers, Minn., on Oct. 29, 1932, to Albert and Helen (Ferrian) Scharber. He attended school in the small farming community of Rogers and completed eighth grade, as he walked to and from school and Rogers had no high school. Loren became a teacher’s aide until he was 18. He joined the U.S. Army from 1953-55. After his discharge, he met and married the love of his life, Audrey V. Eychaner. They had three children, Michael, Terri and Kevin.
They moved to Alaska in 1964 and lived in the Anchorage and Chugiak areas until 1974, when they moved to Wasilla. In 1980, Loren started Wasilla Auto Salvage with his family.
Loren loved to travel and didn’t think anything of taking all the grandkids. He was a very loving and thoughtful person, and was always there to help anyone. He loved mowing grass, riding snowmachines, charity work and sitting in the sun.
Loren will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey “Punky” Scharber; sons, Michael and Kevin Scharber; parents, Albert and Helen Scharber; sisters, Loraine Sorakos and Shirly Gnewikow; and brothers, Harvey and Arnold Scharber.
Loren’s surviving family in Wasilla includes his daughter, Terri Caswell; son-in-law, Vern Caswell; grandchildren, Mikey and Kirsten Scharber, Matthew Scharber, Jackie Caswell, Sonny Caswell, Amanda Caswell, Robert and Tiffany Caswell, and Tracy and Kimberly Scharber; and many great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his brother, Dale and Thelma Scharber of New Mexico; brother-in-law, Clifford and Lori Eychaner of Minnesota; sister-in-law, Dorothy Monroe of Minnesota; sister-in-law Tara Scharber of Wasilla; many nieces and nephews in Minnesota; and a lot of special friends all over.
Services were held in Minnesota with full military honors as a Korean War veteran.
His ashes were flown to Alaska for a remembrance service at Schrock Road Community Church at 2 p.m., Feb. 26. Everyone is welcome to attend.
