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LaRetta Ann Caswell
Wasilla resident LaRetta Ann Caswell, 81, died of natural causes at 6 a.m., June 22, 2011, with her family at her side.
Memorial services are 1 p.m, Saturday, July 9, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Bogard Road near Wasilla High School. Bishop Jerry Holbrook will officiate.
LaRetta was born Nov. 7, 1929, in Panquitch, Utah. She married Vernon B. Caswell Feb. 26, 1949, Sadie Hawkins Day. Mr. Caswell preceded her in death.
Her husband came to Alaska first in 1957. She came up with four kids. At that time, the airlines were on strike, so they came by bus, train and finally by airplane. Alaska was still a territory then. The family moved out of Anchorage to the Mat-Su Valley after the 1964 earthquake. LaRetta worked at the Snack Shack in its time, and also worked at Wolf’s Home Laundry in Wasilla for about 20 years.
She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved working and creating things with beads, spending time with the elderly and genealogy.
The family’s special requests are that people spend time with the elderly. Listen to them. They are important in all of our lives, and they need you and us. They also would really like to thank Hospice so much for its help, her personal care assistant (granddaughter) Brandy New for her gentleness, the doctors at the hospital, nurses and the sitters who were there in case, and Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory. Further, they would also like to thank the LDS church for all its help in their time of need.
“Thank you so much from all of us!”
LaRetta is survived by her sister, Iola Peterson and her family of Las Vegas, Nev.; children, Linda M. Byers and her husband Jim, Larry U. J. Caswell and his wife Shawn, Vernon B. Caswell Jr. and his wife Terri, Verl David Caswell, Carol Lee Cutrell and her husband David, Dennis Raymond Caswell and his partner Robin, and Diann Caswell; 18 grandchildren (and another on the way); four step-grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and too many nephews and nieces to name.
Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.
Elmer Roland Soule
Anchorage resident Elmer Roland Soule, 86, died July 4, 2011, at the Providence Extended Care Center in Anchorage.
A celebration of life is at 4 p.m., Wednesday, July 13 at the Anchorage Funeral Home, 1800 Dare Ave. His children will spread Elmer’s ashes later at a private ceremony. For questions, contact Gloria Kurtzweil at (907) 240-6898.
Elmer was born Nov. 14, 1924, in Jerry City, Ohio, and moved to Anchorage in June 1962. As a young man, he drove interstate haulers. He was a gifted mechanic and helped many friends and neighbors with their mechanical problems. He supervised building homes for a son and one of his daughters. He built a cabin in Willow for his other daughter.
He loved flying, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. He was a former Iron Dog Board of Directors member as well as a participant in several Iron Dog races. One tough year, he and his partner received the Red Lantern Award for being last team in; he never would quit. Throughout his life, he never quit, always finding a way to accomplish his goals.
“Elmer was a man of many adventures and represented the Alaskan spirit in almost everything he ever did, ” his family wrote. “He will be dearly missed by family and friends alike.”
Memorial contributions in Elmer’s name may be offered to Life Alaska Donor Services, 235 E. 8th Ave., Suite 100, Anchorage.
Anchorage Funeral Home cared for the family.
Beverly Marie Blodgett
Funeral services for Beverly Marie Blodgett, 70, are at 3 p.m., Friday, July 15 with a visitation beginning at 2 p.m. at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory, 1015 S. Check St., Wasilla. Beverly died June 30, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.
She was born Nov. 11, 1940, in Jamestown, N.D. She married her husband on Oct. 4, 1958, and they came to Alaska in 1976. She was a homemaker all her life. She loved to cook and play bingo.
According to her family, “She was a good wife, mother and grandmother and was a bingo nut.”
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Robert Blodgett of Wasilla; daughter and son-in-law, Catherine and David Elliott of Wasilla; brother and sister-in-law, Cliff and Beverly Brown of Selma, Calif.; grandsons, David Elliott Jr. and Danny Elliott, both of Wasilla; and granddaughter, Angela Blodgett of Anchorage.
Private burial is at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.
Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla cared for the family.
Gloria Jean Kenyon
Big Lake resident Gloria Jean Kenyon, 67, died June 24, 2011, at Providence Alaska Medical Center surrounded by her family.
Memorial services in honor of Gloria are at 2 p.m., Friday, July 15 at Valley Funeral Home Chapel, 151 E. Herning Ave., Wasilla, with Pastor John Garvin officiating.
A celebration of life follows at 4 p.m. at the Kenyon family home.
Gloria was born June 16, 1944, in Decorah, Iowa, to Paul and Alice (Smith) Kunkat.
Gloria was confirmed at Greenfield Lutheran Church in Harmony, Minn., and graduated from Harmony High School. In 1962, she married Richard Kenyon, her high school sweetheart. In 1975, she moved with her husband and sons to Sitka, followed by relocation to the Anchorage area, eventually settling in Big Lake, where she was the postmaster for 16 years.
The family wrote, “She enjoyed many outdoor activities with her children and grandchildren, including hunting and fishing. She also enjoyed playing softball, cooking, gardening, needlework and traveling. She had a beautiful personality and a wonderful sense of humor.”
She is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Richard; sons, Steven, Douglas and daughter-in-law Barbara, and David; granddaughters, Lisa, Tabitha and Amber; and great-granddaughter, Madalyn. She is also survived by sisters, Sylbert and Pauline; brothers-in-law, Gerald, Roger, Neil and Mike; sisters-in-law, Kathy and Karen; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Paul and Alice Kunkat.
Valley Funeral Home and Crematory cared for the family.
Edward Owen Basler
Willow resident Edward Owen Basler, 50, died June 26, 2011, at his residence.
Ed was born Jan. 14, 1961, in Hackensack, N.J. He moved to Anchorage in June 1980, where he resided until 1997, when he moved to Willow. Ed loved cars and worked in the auto body industry. He also enjoyed arts and crafts. Ed was a private man and there will be no public services.
He is survived by his mother, Rhea Claire McDonald of Anchorage; brother and sister-in-law, John Thomas Basler and Suzanne Basler of Willow; nephews, Christopher Thomas Basler of Anchorage, Levi Taylor Basler of Willow, Christopher Dubbe of Homer; and nieces, Karrie Kokel and Heather Gottfried, both of Homer. He was preceded in death by his father, Walter Basler.
Arrangements are entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel of Wasilla
Dr. Kenneth Stephen Burnley
Dr. Kenneth Stephen Burnley, 69, superintendent of the Mat-Su Borough School District, born April 20, 1942, died July 2, 2011, at Alaska Regional Medical Center due to complications from double knee replacement surgery.
He received three higher education degrees from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Dr. Burnley served education in various capacities — as a teacher, assistant principal, director, assistant superintendent and superintendent. He served as a Senior Resident Fellow, University of Michigan; chief executive officer, Detroit Public Schools; superintendent, School District 11 Colorado Springs, Colo.; superintendent, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District; and other professional education positions for the Waverly Public Schools, Ypsilanti Public Schools and Muskegon Heights School District.
Within five months of his appointment as superintendent for the Mat-Su Borough School District, Dr. Burnley settled two major labor contracts and developed a plan to resolve an $8.9 million deficit. He convinced the state Legislature to award $6 million for E-Rate (funding commonly used for schools and libraries) and gained an additional $10.2 million of federal matching funds for a total of $16.2 million for fiber optics to the school district, which also provides high-speed communication to the community and jobs through Matanuska Telephone Association.
Dr. Burnley reached national acclaim as the recipient of the 1993 Colorado and National Superintendent of the Year awards from the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). In addition, he was recognized by various organizations for his leadership and humanitarian efforts.
Some of the highlights of his career were being a member of the U.S. Secretary of Education Advisory Committee on Administrative Regulations prior to the implementation of the 2002 No Child Left Behind Act, and being a member of the U.S. delegations of superintendents to Israel, China and Taiwan. He had the gift of uniting people together within a community.
Along with education, he had a great passion for sports, including golf, track and field, and University of Michigan football. In his college career, Dr. Burnley was a relay member of three indoor and two outdoor Big Ten Track Championships from 1960-64. He was the first African American coach at the University of Michigan from 1968-72, chaired the Education Committee of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) from 1996-99, was Chef de Mission to the World Youth Games in Moscow representing the U.S. Olympic Committee, and was a member the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for, but independent of, the U.S. Olympic Committee from 2006-07.
Prior to going into surgery, he stated, “I came here (Alaska) for the kids.” He wanted the best for students. He desired to have the model school district for the state to show what can be achieved for our youth. When times got tough, he would go into the schools and spend time with the kids. It rejuvenated him and made him work harder to achieve success. As he reflected on his career, the common thread through all of his positions included placing women, minorities and those experiencing disabilities in key positions in his administrations. He was proud of their accomplishments and often voiced his praise.
His service will be officiated by Pastor Fred Ledbetter at Teeland Middle School, 2788 N. Seward Meridian Parkway, Wasilla at 11 a.m., Friday, July 8.
Public visitation was July 7 at Alaska Heritage Memorial Chapel. Additional services in Detroit, Mich., and Colorado Springs, Colo., are pending.
Dr. Burnley was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Kippling Burnley; mother, Audrey Marietta Stevens Burnley; brother, Bryan Burnley; and nephew, Damian Burnley.
Survivors include his wife, Eileen Burnley; brothers, Michael and Dennis (Brenda) Burnley; daughter, Traci Burnley; son, Trevor (Robin) Burnley, Marlon (Shawn) Thomas; grandchildren, Jonathan Burnley, Tyler Burnley and Justin Thomas; and many nieces, nephews and friends throughout the world. Dr. Burnley loved and supported his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Kenneth Stephen Burnley Memorial Fund for college and vocational education scholarships for students of Mat-Su Borough School District, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, Detroit Public Schools and Colorado Springs School District 11. Donations may be made at any Wells Fargo Bank in the United States.
Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory cared for the family.
Bill Quantick
Bill Quantick died after succumbing to cancer on June 28, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.
William (known as Bill) was born in London, England in 1924 to Annie (Davey) and William Quantick. His schooling was cut short due to the outbreak of the war in England.
Being a tall and strong boy, he was quickly given a hard hat and went to work for a bomb factory. He built carts for bombs. When he was finally old enough, he proudly joined the Queens Royal Regiment, 168th Brigade, C Company, 56 London-Division, 8th Army. He battled through North Africa and also was a survivor in the invasion of Italy, Battle of Anzio.
While in Austria, Bill met a displaced mother and daughter from what was known as Gottchee. He and Freida Trocha were married, then he brought his new family back home to England. Like many during those times, the young family longed to come to America. The couple, along with their 2-year-old daughter, made their voyage on the Queen Mary. This was the ship’s last voyage, which is now docked in Long Beach, Calif.
As most newcomers in the day, working multiple jobs was a way to get ahead. Bill ended up working in the plastics and molding industry before retiring to Chatham, Mass. Bill lost his beloved wife and mother-in-law to cancer. After his wife’s death in 1986, he eventually relocated to Florida to be close to his son.
“After his wife’s death, Bill became a man of many words and wrote endlessly, poetry being his choice of expression, ” the family wrote. “Everyone who knew Bill knew of his writings because he shared them with people all over the world. Bill’s other love and passion was his love for his Lord. He said there was nothing mightier.”
Bill is survived by his daughter, Rosemary Quantick of Chatham, Mass., and Bill and Toni Quantick of Palmer; and many friends and family throughout the world.
Arrangements by the Cremation Society of Alaska.
Dennis L. Hamann
Dennis L. Hamann, 73, of Palmer died in his sleep at his home Aug. 17, 2011.
Born May 9, 1938, to original Palmer Colonists Leroy and Gretchen Hamann, Dennis was one of the first “crops” of kids born at Valley Hospital. He spent his life in the Valley, raising his four children with Delores, his beloved wife of 51 years.
He worked a variety of jobs during his life, beginning with driving truck for the Jonesville Coal Mine. Dennis also worked for B&C Auto in Anchorage and then as store manager in Palmer. During the 1970s, he worked as an owner/operator of a sawmill at King’s River followed by a partnership in Hamann and Son’s. The partnership included a building in downtown Palmer that housed a theater, laundromat and pool hall. After selling the business, Dennis went to work in 1976 as the boiler man for the Mat-Su Borough School District until he retired in 1994.
Born with a true pioneer spirit, he loved to hunt, fish and spend time outdoors enjoying the Alaska he loved so much.
He is survived by his wife, Delores Hamann; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Cheryl Hamann of Kenai; son and daughter-in-law, Denny and Lori Hamann of Wasilla; daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Rod Matson of Kenai; brother, Errol Hamann of Palmer; adopted brother, Daniel Corey of Palmer; and numerous grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Gretchen; brothers, Laverne, Blaine and Randy Hamann; sister, Jean; and son, Tracy Hamann, who passed last March.
A memorial service is planned at 1 p.m., Aug. 27 at Lazy Mountain Bible Church in Palmer.
Dixie Light
Houston resident Dixie Light, 81, died of natural causes Aug. 25, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.
No local services are planned.
Dixie was born Aug. 9, 1930, in Springfield, Ill. She received her registered nurse’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and a doctorate. She came to Alaska in 1990, and was self-employed at the Family Health Clinic in Houston from 1990 to 2011. She enjoyed reading and had a wide interest to learn new things. She received a State Award for Excellence by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners in June 1999.
Her family said: “She wanted to provide quality health services to a rural community. She was a caring person who devoted her life to helping others.”
Surviving are her husband, Mort Light; son, Dan Light; daughter, Deb Burtley; seven grandchildren; sisters, Margaret Walters and Martha McDonald; and brothers, Bill Hanes and Pete Hanes.
Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.
