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Kimber Leigh Velasquez
Wasilla resident Kimber Leigh Velasquez, 22, died March 20, 2011, as a result of injuries sustained in a snowmachine accident.
A memorial service is at 11 a.m., March 26 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1201 East Bogard Road in Wasilla.
Kimber was born Jan. 14, 1989, in Wasilla, the daughter of Antonio and Geneva Velasquez. She graduated from Wasilla High School in 2006, where she was a member of the cheer team. She was enrolled at the University of Alaska, majoring in human services.
Kimber was an avid athlete as a gymnast and cheerleader. She achieved all she set out to do and loved life. She enjoyed snowmachining and watching hockey. She attended Sacred Heart Church in Wasilla. She was joined by her boyfriend Eric Zehnder of Wasilla; who worshiped her every move. Together they will live in eternity.
Surviving are her parents Antonio and Geneva; her brothers, Daniel, Matthew and Kristoffer and his wife, Amber. She also leaves behind her maternal grandparents, Tom and Bonnie Smith of Columbus, Miss.; and by several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Kimber’s memorial fund at Mat-Valley Federal Credit Union, account No. 17064.
Funeral arrangements were by Evergreen Funeral Home in Anchorage.
Ida M. Flodeen
A celebration of life for Wasilla resident, Ida M. Flodeen, 91, is at 2 p.m., March 26 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 501 E. Bogard Rd. in Wasilla, with Pastor Duane Hanson officiating. Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Blackduck, Minn.
Ida died on March 15, 2011, at Primrose Retirement Community in Wasilla with her family by her side. Ida had been struggling with a heart condition. She was born on March 9, 1920, in Shotley, Minn., to Matthew and Jennie Patch. She grew up in Shotley and attended Kelliher School, from which she graduated in 1939.
She married James Flodeen on June 9, 1939, in Bemidji, Minn. She had worked for Blackduck Creamery, Bemidji Creamery and Gull Lake Enterprises. She was a member of the Tri-Sigma Study Club, Blackduck Garden Club and the ELCWA of Zion Lutheran Church. She enjoyed Bible study, playing bridge, sewing, reading, having conversations and spending time with her grandchildren. She came to Alaska in 2005.
She is survived by four daughters and sons-in-law, Myrna and John Waters of San Antonio, Texas, Mary Ann and Rich Oswell of Cambridge, Minn., Jeannie and Tony Kooinan of Princeton, Minn., and Julie and Bernie Husmann of Wasilla; a brother, Harmon Patch of Hoyt Lakes, Minn.; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband; brothers Fred, Dan and Bert; and sisters Glendora, Goldie and Mary.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Agency of Alaska, 1750 Abbott Road, Anchorage, AK 99507 or visit alzalaska.org.
Cremation arrangements were by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.
Phyllis Jean Miller
Phyllis Jean Miller, 63, died March 18, 2011.
Phyllis was born in Dermott, Ark., Nov. 20, 1947. Her personality could light up a room and she will be greatly missed by family and friends.
She leaves behind a daughter, Kim Miller, grandson, Nicholas Miller and son-in-law, Bart Miller, all of Shellrock, Iowa; sister, Cheryl McKechnie of Palmer; brother-in-law, Russell McKechnie of Palmer; nieces, Lonnie McKechnie of Palmer and Beverly Ciofani of Chicago; and great-nieces, Taylor McKechnie of Palmer and Jourdan Hunt of Chicago.
A gathering in remembrance of Phyllis is at 2 p.m., March 26 at the Palmer Moose Lodge.
James C. Knapp
James Clayton “Jim” Knapp of Big Lake died March 24, 2011, from injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident while vacationing in New Zealand.
A celebration of life and barbecue is at 1 p.m., May 7 at 18172 Marion Lake Drive in Big Lake.
Born Aug. 20, 1944, to Alice and Loren Knapp of Dodge City, Kan., Jim and his family moved to Alaska shortly after World War II ended, spending their first winter in Whittier. His childhood was spent in the Rabbit Creek area, where he enjoyed hitchhiking to football practice.
Jim graduated from East Anchorage High School in 1963. He graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he met his future wife, Lynndeen Barnett Knapp. They were married on May 20, 1967, and spent their honeymoon in Nenana. Now that’s true love!
One project Jim worked on was the Parks Highway — Nenana River Bridge. He proudly described the project to his grandsons last summer while visiting the area. In 1969, Jim was sent to Vietnam, where he applied his bridge building expertise.
Lynndeen and Jim shared a lifetime of adventures, including the raising of their two daughters, Anjanette Knapp Steer and Lorena Knapp. Jim was always a firm believer in taking advantage of teachable moments and “girls can do anything, ” providing an important inspiration in his daughters’ upbringing. Summers were spent fishing in the Susitna Valley, where Jim was known as the pilot of Cessna 24 X-ray. Winters were spent snowmaching (Jim was a 1985 Iron Dog finisher) and ice-fishing. Jim enjoyed working as a project manager for Anchorage engineering firms, where he was always challenged by the shipping efforts of construction materials to rural Alaska.
He enjoyed the many friends he made throughout Alaska while working on a variety of projects. Upon retirement, Jim enjoyed motorcycle riding, cooking, spending winters in Mexico and traveling with Lynndeen.
Jim was a loving and caring husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, son and friend. He will be remembered each spring as the salmon return to the Susitna Valley, a place he loved to fish. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Jim’s name to your favorite charity.
Jim is survived by his wife of 44 years, Lynndeen Knapp of Big Lake; Lorena Knapp of Anchorage; Anjanette and Zack Steer of Sheep Mountain; grandsons Glenn and Clayton; sisters, Kathleen (Rex) McKnight of Reno, Nev., and Lynn (Tom) Thomas of Silver Lake; mother, Alice E. Knapp of Tucson, Ariz.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Jim’s spirit of adventure and zest for life will live on in all of us, ” his family wrote.
William Dee Bentti
Wasilla resident William Dee Bentti, 50, died May 23, 2011, at his home due to a fall he took in his home, which resulted in a head injury.
Memorial services for William are at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 12, at Wasilla Bible Church with a gathering after the services at the family home, 6111 Steen St. For more information, call the family at 373-1145.
William was born in Palmer on June 24, 1960, the son of William D. and Edith (Corey) Bentti.
His family will remember him as a typical Alaskan who loved hunting and fishing, traveling the backcountry and sharing those interests with family and friends. He also loved to ride snowmachines, ATVs and motorcycles. In his travels he enjoyed the remoteness of the state traveling from parts of Southeast to the North Slope, where he worked as well. He loved sharing the things he loved to do with his sons William and Cody, and also enjoyed traveling with his parents and enjoyed the time they shared together.
William married his wife Pamela on May 27, 1993, and they would have celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary this year. Pamela is devastated by her loss, and the family Bill cared for so deeply is pulling together to support one another in their mutual loss. Bill was the type of person who called his family members daily when health or family challenges faced them. His mother, Eydie, was the light of his life — as he was to her — and his stepfather, Robert, was always there for the times they shared together. Bill would call him daily to talk with him, and Bill always had time to talk to him or take him where he needed to go. The caring between them was undeniable and Robert will miss the times they shared.
Bill’s sister, Debbie, wishes she could talk to her brother and protector who thought she could never do anything wrong. Bill’s children are devastated by his loss. His sons, Bill and Cody, were looking forward to helping their father build a garage for his interests in cars. His daughter, Eydie Marie, was excited to acquire a classic Chevy pickup and wishes she could have taken him for a ride in the pickup, which he would have loved. The Corey family, with whom his ties were strong, will all miss Bill tremendously.
Bill is survived by his wife, Pamela Bentti, and sons, William Shane Bentti and Cody Johnsen, all of Wasilla; daughter, Eydie Briley of Anchorage; and mother, Edith Baller and stepfather Robert Baller of Wasilla. He is also survived by his sister, Deborah Bentti of Eagle River; grandchildren, Ashton, Cruse and Jaida of Anchorage; niece, Savannah Lafram Boise of Anchorage; and nephew, Rob Bentti of Boston, Mass.
Surviving are his aunts and uncles, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Corey of Palmer, Jack Corey of Wasilla, Frank Corey, Mr. and Mrs. Curt Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Windmiller of Sutton and Edward Smith Jr. of Honolulu.
Preceding him in death was his father, William D. Bentti.
Valley Funeral Home and Crematory Wasilla cared for the family.
Gregory Parker
Wasilla resident Gregory Parker, 46, died June 3, 2011, at his home.
Greg was born Aug. 17, 1964, in Encino, Calif., son of Raymond and Betty Faye Parker.
Memorial services will be at 4 p.m., Thursday, June 9, at the Wasilla ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 831 E. Dellwood Drive, with Bishop Matt Breshears presiding.
Greg moved to Alaska in 1980 and lived in Anchorage, where he graduated from the University of Alaska with an associate’s degree. He then moved to Wasilla, where he lived until his passing. He enjoyed fishing, music, was active in the LDS church and enjoyed being active with the church’s many activities.
Greg raised his lovely daughter, Ellen, as a single parent with great love and dedication. She was his everything. She is attending the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. He loved to stay connected to his extended family, which was important to him, and they will remember him as a loving son and brother. He was a gentle soul who faced daily challenges with bravery, determination and optimism. Those whose lives he touched felt blessed to know him and will miss his love and being such an important part of their lives.
Greg had a great love for the Lord and for other people, which was evidenced in his associations with those of his faith. He served faithfully in the Sunday School presidency and worked diligently on the computers in the Family History Center, allowing others to benefit from the talents he was blessed with. His loving smile, compassion and manner each Sunday in his interactions with others will be greatly missed by his ward family. He was a light to all he came in contact with and an example to all of faithful service.
Surviving are his daughter, Ellen Parker of Fairbanks; mother, and step-father, Faye and Michael Doyle of Seattle, Wash.; father and stepmother, Raymond and Cheryl Parker of Sutter Creek, Calif.; brothers, Gary Parker of Eugene, Ore., and Chris Parker of Japan, who is currently serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Memorial contributions in honor of Greg may be made to the Gregory Parker Memorial Fund, C/O Wells Fargo Bank Acct. No. 8965935599 Wasilla, AK 99654.
Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla cared for the family.
STELLA (IRWIN) ODSATHER
Mary Estella Irwin Odsather, 92, died peacefully on July 23, 2010, in Anchorage.
A Celebration of Life and reception will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7 at the First Presbyterian Church in Anchorage.
“Stella” was born to Don and Amy Pearl Gould Irwin, on Dec. 5, 1917 in Basin, Wyo. Her family arrived in Alaska on June 21, 1934, settling into their home in Palmer where her father became the director of the Matanuska Experiment Farm, and was later appointed by President Roosevelt as the first director of the Colony Project. She graduated in 1935 from the one-room school, near Palmer.
Stella attended the Alaska College of Agriculture and Mines in Fairbanks from 1935 to 1937, studying home economics.
Stella’s future husband, Louis Odsather, was hired by Don Irwin in 1935 and became the manager of the Colony Project’s Trading Post. On Sept. 16, 1937 Louie and Estella were the first couple married in the United Protestant Church of Palmer known as “the church of a thousand trees.”
In 1938 they moved to Anchorage where Louie went into partnership in Lucky’s Grocery. In 1950 they sold their interest in Lucky’s, securing an interest in the Parsons Hotel and the Coffee-Simpson Insurance Co., which later became Odsather-Simpson Insurance Inc.
They raised their family in Anchorage. In 1976 they moved to their “cabin” on Wasilla Lake. Stella remained at the cabin after Louie’s passing until 2008 when she moved into the Anchorage Providence Horizon House.
In 1964 Stella started working for the Anchorage School District in the food service program at West Anchorage High where she trained at-risk youth, retiring as food services manager in 1974.
In1991 her keen interests with Alaska’s senior citizens led to Stella’s appointment by Governor Hickel to be a member of the Pioneer Home Advisory Board and the Older Alaskans Commission until her retirement in 2002. In 1991 she was the Mat-Su delegate to the Conference on Aging in Washington, D.C. In 1990 she was a charter member of the Circumpolar Health Board, spearheaded by the first Matanuska Colony doctor, Dr. Albrecht.
Stella was a member of the Pioneers of Alaska Anchorage and Palmer Igloos, Real Alaskans, Alaska Yukon Pioneers, Anchorage Emblem Club #329 and the First Presbyterian Church in Anchorage and Wasilla.
With a beautiful singing voice she was one of the original members of the Anchorage Community Chorus. Her activities included past president of Beta Sigma Phi; active supporter of the Boy Scouts and Sea Scouts; leader for the Campfire Girls; secretary for the Salvation Army’s Booth Memorial Home; Past Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star #4 and Mother Advisor of the Rainbow Girls.
In 1974 she was president of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Pioneers of Alaska and the following year she and Louie served as Queen and King Regent at the Alaska Fur Rendezvous. In 1979, they were selected as the National Civilian Leaders for the Military by the YMCA for their tireless efforts as serving as “Mom and Dad” to the Outstanding Military for the Fur Rendezvous.
Stella was preceded in death by her father and mother, Don and Amy; husband of 52 years, Louis; and her brother Don Irwin.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Shirley of Fairbanks; son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Gay of Anchorage; daughter, Kathy of San Francisco. Grandsons Jon (Missy) Odsather, Erik Odsather, Norman (Kristin) Odsather, Martin Odsather; great-grandchildren, Taylor Littell, Mason and Aislynn Odsather, Alec Solvang and Ryan Odsather. Sister, Ina Belle Irwin Boss Kennedy of Bellingham, Wash.; and special friends Ed Walker of Palmer and Sandy Johnson of Anchorage.
Her family wrote that “Stella loved Alaska and, through her friendships with many throughout the state and nation, cherished her relationships with all she knew.
“Stella and Louie had a remarkable gift of greeting old friends and effortlessly making new ones. While socializing at events, our parents would with all the joy and gusto, recollect names and something very special about each individual they met. We imagine they are up there right now getting reacquainted, ‘working the crowd’ and waiting for us to follow.”
Arrangements by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel in Wasilla.
Susan K. Allen
Susan K. Allen, 51, died July 14, 2011, of natural causes at Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla.
Susan was born Oct. 10, 1959, to Amelia B. and Harold L. Ordway at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Susan moved to Alaska in 1967 as a child. She graduated from high school in 1978. She was a member of the Alaska Bird Club.
She met her husband, David W. Allen, in 1982 and they married 1983. She enjoyed sewing, painting, crocheting, tatting, playing the piano, camping and fishing.
Surviving are her husband, David Allen; children, Tilly and her husband Anthony Winburn, Jeremy Allen and his fiancée Sarah Transki, Thomas-Lee Allen and his fiancée Susan Walberg, and Cora Allen and her fiancé Gerald Vonscheele; mother, Amelia B. Ordway; brother, John Polzin and his wife Hattie; sisters, Nancy Ordway and her husband Cowboy Greschke, Constance Ordway and Cynthia Ordway; and grandchildren, Cody, Dustin, Natalie Winburn, Malachi, Staci, Jacqueline, Destinee, Felicia Allen and Blaise Thompson.
Preceding her in death were her father, Harold L. Ordway, and brother, William D. Ordway.
Memorial services for Susan Allen are at 7 p.m., July 28 at Muldoon Community Assembly, 741 Debarr Rd., Anchorage.
Contributions for helping the family can be made at Denali Alaskan FCU.
