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Donald Lee Huseby
Wasilla resident Donald Lee Huseby, 79, died at Elmendorf Regional Hospital in Anchorage due to cancer.
A celebration of life in honor of Don Huseby is at 2 p.m., Sept. 1 at Matanuska Assembly of God, 12801 W. Arctic Ave., Palmer.
Donald was born Feb. 9, 1932, in Two Harbors, Minn., to Carl and Esther Huseby.
Donald graduated in 1950 from North Central School of Agriculture in Grand Rapids, Minn. He later enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served his country from 1951 to 1955. During his service, Don received the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal “S, ” United Nations Service Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal “E” and China Service Medal.
After serving in the Navy, Don worked in carpentry, logging and trucking. He also once owned Chub Lake Resort (1962-63) in Minnesota. Don moved to Alaska in the early ’70s and continued carpentry, construction and trucking. Don worked all over Alaska, including remote sites for the Federal Aviation Administration and eventually retired. While a resident of Alaska, Don lived in both Wasilla and Palmer (the Butte). Don enjoyed attending Assembly of God churches. He enjoyed gold mining, tending his animals, gardening, canning, dip net fishing, fishing, cutting firewood and tugboats.
The family wrote: “He loved the outdoors! No one stayed busier or worked more than Don. He was hard to keep up with. He never met a tree he didn’t like. Some called him an Ironman, or Paul Bunyan. He was loved by his family and many friends and they will miss him greatly.”
Preceding him in death were his father, Carl Huseby; mother Esther Huseby-Lahti; and longtime companion, Lois Ann Colton.
Don is survived by sister, Paula Johnson of Two Harbors, Minn.; brother, David Huseby of Silver Bay, Minn.; brother, Raymond Huseby of Beaver Bay, Minn.; sister, Carla Beck of Two Harbors, Minn.; brother, Leo Lahti of Beaver Bay, Minn.; brother, Marvin Lahti of Cathlamet, Wash.; former spouse, Lois Huseby of Florida; former spouse, Miriam Huseby of Washington; son, Cordell Huseby-Baum of Florida; son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Jessie Huseby-Baum of Palmer; son and daughter-in-law, John and Jacque Huseby of Palmer; grandkids, Samantha, Tyler, Austin Huseby, Justice and Warner Baum; and several nieces and nephews.
Valley Funeral Home and Crematory cared for the family.
Jim Helling
Jim Helling was a passionate and avid skier who lost his life doing what he loved on March 19, 2011. His spirit rests in a place that was dear to him — Hatcher Pass.
For the past 38 years Jim worked as an environmental engineer in New York, Colorado and Alaska. He called Alaska home for 23 years, fully embracing the Northern way of life. Jim was an avid outdoorsman who spent his time gardening, hunting, fishing, hiking and skiing. He held deep respect and honor for nature’s abundance. Jim is in a heaven where the vegetables are always fresh, the salmon run year-round and the snow is always untracked. His vibrant spirit, authentic love of life and infectious humor touched all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Elaine, and his daughter, Heidi. He was preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Loretta, and his brother, Gary.
A celebration of life will begin at 7 p.m., April 4, at Lazy Mountain Bible Church in Palmer. Donations in memory of Jim can be made to the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group.
Arrangements were made with Legacy Funeral Home — Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.
Ronald Lee Hall
Ronald Lee Hall, 64, died Sept. 9, 2011, in Tulsa, Okla.
He was born Dec. 9, 1946, to Alonzo Allison and Mary Jo Hall in Phoenix, Ariz.
Ronald graduated from North Phoenix High School in 1965 and joined the United States Air Force where he served his country during the Vietnam War.
On Sept. 24, 1967, Ronald Lee Hall and Linda Estelle Harris were united in marriage. To this union, four sons were born — Nathaniel, Jonathan, Timothy and Raymond.
Ronald had worked the last 22 years for AT&T as an electronics technician. He had also worked for the U.S. Forest Service, the Nevada Forest Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the city of Phoenix. He was a member of the American Legion and Teamsters Local 959. His hobbies were studying the Bible, woodworking, fishing, new electronic gadgets, and in his younger years, competitive power-lifting and hiking. Ronald’s greatest joy in life was boldly spreading the love of Jesus his savior. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Linda Estelle of Wasilla, and most recently Bristow, Okla.; sons, Nathaniel Allison Hall (Lyuba) of Wasilla, Jonathan James Hall (Lisa) of Wasilla, Timothy David Hall of Warner Robbins, Ga., and Raymond Michael Jordan Hall of Fort Bliss, Texas; mother, Mary Jo Miller Hall of Alamogordo, N.M.; sister, Melanie Jo Hall Arce of Alamogordo, N.M.; grandchildren, Christopher James Hall (Leah), Wyatt Bradley Hall, Adam Lee Hall, Angela Delana Hall, Mikhail Nathaniel Hall, Aliksandra Estelle Hall and Cavan Gabriel Nelton Hall; and one great-grandchild, Israel Christopher Ikaikakahana’i’ookala’ikaopuiki kanamu Hall.
Memorial services are at 7 p.m., Sept. 28, at Kings Chapel in Wasilla, 1701 N. Lucille St. Interment was at Fort Gibson National Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Hutchins-Maples Funeral Home.
Vivian Marie “Momo, ” Maez
Longtime Palmer resident Vivian Marie “Momo, ” Maez, 98, died Sept. 18, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. A celebration of life is at noon, Sept. 24, at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Palmer with a graveside service following at the Palmer Pioneer Cemetery.
Vivian was born Dec. 13, 1912, in Saguache, Colo., to Don and Sophia Lujan. On Nov. 23, 1929, she married Louie Maez in Saguache. In later years they moved to Denver. In 1980 they moved to Palmer to live close to their daughter and grandchildren.
She served for five years as one of the original board members at the Palmer Senior Citizen Center. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and most of all being with her family in Alaska and visiting her son and his family in Colorado. She set the example of loving and caring about others.
Surviving are her twins, Jo Ehmann and David Maez and his wife Kay; five grandchildren, Butch Ehmann and wife Sharon, Judy Hermon, Cheryl Deland and her husband Ben, Joey Ehmann and his wife Linda, and Mary Kay Maez; 11 great-grandchildren and 16 great-, great-grandchildren; and many neices and nephews.
Preceding her in death was her husband, Louie Maez; parents, Don and Sophia Lujan; grandson, Patrick Maez; sisters, Beatrice, Isabell and Lupie; and brother, Andy.
Arrangements are with Legacy Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.
Frank J. Morris
Frank J. Morris of Wasilla died Sept. 1, 2011, at the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer after a long illness.
Frank served in the U.S. Air Force from 1970 to 1973. After discharge he worked as a photographer for RCA and Vitro at Eglin Air Force Base, in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. When he moved to Alaska he became self-employed as the owner and operator of Morris Images.
He was active in snowmobiling and four-wheeling. Frank took a special interest in all of nature and the wild animals that Alaska provided for his photography.
Frank will be laid to rest Oct. 18 at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla.
Surviving are sons Travis and wife Pamela Morris and Frank and wife Jennifer Morris; daughter, Sara and husband Ken Amelia all of Grand Rapids, Mich.; mother, Patricia L. Morris of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; sisters, Patricia J. of Fort Walton Beach, Fla. and Susanne M. of Niceville, Fla.; brothers, John of Johnsonville, S.C., Jim and wife Cyndi of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Dave and wife Mary of Grand Rapids, Mich., Bill and wife Mieko of Crestview, Fla., Rick of Tucson, Ariz. and Tom and wife Judy of Tucson, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; 18 nieces and nephews; and nine great nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his father, Donald J. (Bud) Morris, and his brother Denis P. Morris.
Anna May Shackelford
Anna May Shackelford, 79, died Sept. 7, 2011, at the Anchorage Pioneer Home. A memorial service is at place at 3 p.m., Sept. 25, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Palmer. A reception will follow with desserts.
Anna May was born to Leslie and Annabelle Pease on July 7, 1932, in Broadus, Montana. She grew up in Miles City, Mont. with two brothers and two sisters and graduated from Custer County High School in 1951. Anna May met her husband, Jim Shackelford, on a blind date. For their third date they were married on the Fourth of July 1952. Anna May began moving around the country as Jim continued with his military career.
They finally settled in Palmer in 1970 with their children Duncan and Cynthia. Anna May was a member of the Emblem Club, Women of the Moose, and the Republican Women’s Club. She devoted countless hours of volunteer work to these organizations and would never turn anyone down when asked to help. She also worked as an election’s official through the years. Anna May joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary with her husband Jim. This involved conventions, assisting with vessel inspections, teaching safe boating classes and water safety classes to children in schools.
Anna May lost her husband in 2003 and shortly thereafter was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Anna May became a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. She also enjoyed bowling, swimming exercise classes and going out to eat until she moved into the Anchorage Pioneer Home in May 2010. Anna May fought the complications of her disease with great strength and courage until her last breath. She joined her husband in heaven the day before his birthday. Burial will take place at a later date with her husband at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.
Surviving are daughter Cynthia Shackelford; son, Duncan Shackelford and his wife Wendi, and their son Braden; granddaughter, Christina Michelsohn and her husband Michael Michelsohn and their daughters Elizabeth and Madison; and a sister, Beverly Molstad in Miles City, Mont.
William “Ray” Underwood
Alaska resident William “Ray” Underwood, 81, died Sept. 19, 2011, at Golden Pond Assisted Home Care in Houston from complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Ray was born on July 3, 1930, in Thornton, Ark., to Coy and Mary Underwood.
He served in the U.S. Army, 505th Artillery Division as a radio operator during the Korean War.
He married Doris Joy Aldridge on Dec. 25, 1953, in Camden, Ark.
He worked for Federal Aviation Administration as a civil servant in the Weather Service Branch and retired in 1989 after 30 years.
Ray learned to enjoy the outdoors at an early age. He loved fishing and hunting.
According to his family, “Ray worked hard all of his life and enjoyed every minute of it. He was caring and generous to all who knew him.”
Ray was a member of Schrock Road Community Church.
Ray is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Anita and Rodney Kovtynovich of Wasilla; two sons and daughter-in-laws, Bill and Donna Underwood of Wichita Falls, Texas and Tim and Lori Underwood of Raeford, N.C.; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Anastacia and Kaylie Aposik of Wasilla; Lucas and Alora Kovtynovich of Fairbanks; Amy Underwood of Dallas, Texas; Alicia and Drew Pond of Wisconsin; and Sam Underwood of Wichita Falls, Texas.
Graveside services are at 11 a.m., Sept. 23 at the Shiloh Cemetery in Waldo, Ark.
Local arrangements entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.
Michelle Melissa Isturis-Tanner
Michelle Melissa Isturis-Tanner, 28, died in Juneau Sept. 5, 2011.
Michelle, or “Pokey” as her family and friends affectionately called her, was born July 13, 1983, in Everett, Wash., and lived in Juneau until 1993 when she moved with her mom and dad to Wasilla. She has many friends and was well liked in both towns.
Preceding her in death was her daughter, Elisa Grace O’Dell and grandmother, Eileen Milnes of Juneau.
Michelle Melissa Isturis-Tanner
Surviving are her mother, Joanne Dillard; dad, Russell Tanner; brother, Clinton; and many other family members from her mother Joanne’s family and her natural father Jeffery Isturis family.
“Michelle’s always laughing and smiling face will be forever in our hearts. We love you Michelle and we will all miss you, ” her family said.
A memorial gathering and potluck is in Juneau at Auk Village Recreation Area at noon, Oct. 1.
And at 2 p.m., Oct. 8 a gathering and potluck for Michelle’s Wasilla family and friends is scheduled at her dad Russell Tanner’s home, 5865 Wolverine Ave, Wasilla.
Deo Marie Keil
Deo Marie Keil, 79, died at home surrounded by family Sept. 26, 2011, after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. A longtime Alaskan, she had lived in Montana for several years, but decided to move back to Alaska in 2005 so she could be closer to family. She spent the last six years in Palmer, living with her daughter, Beverly, and was loved by all who knew her.
Deo was born Aug. 15, 1932, in Shelby, Mont. She was the youngest of three children born to Nels and Ida Nelson. Deo came from a musical family and played violin and piano, and she and her siblings were frequent performers.
Deo married Glen D. Keil Sr. on April 9, 1950. Together they raised seven children in three different states, finally settling in Alaska in 1971, where they enjoyed hunting, fishing and exploring the great state they loved so well.
Deo’s family was extremely important to her, and she loved keeping in touch. In fact, she was a regular on Facebook and enjoyed sharing news and funnies with her family and friends. Deo was a mom to more than just her birth-children; the Valley is full of those who call her their second mom. Deo had a great sense of humor, and could always be counted on to share a funny story or enjoy a silly joke.
In addition to her musical talents, Deo was an amazing cook and very talented with her hands. Deo’s potato salad is the stuff of legend, and the pies she made never lasted long. She also created beautiful sewn handicrafts for family and friends.
Deo’s strong, quiet faith sustained and strengthened her throughout life’s ordeals. She truly walked the walk, and set an example for her children as well as the many friends and acquaintances that happened to come and go during the course of her life. Many times her quiet presence was sufficient for those around her who needed guidance.
Preceding her in death was her sister, Mercedes; son Glen Jr., and husband, Glen Sr.
Surviving are her daughters Beverly DuBos and Eileen Probasco, son-in-law Peter Probasco, and daughter-in-law Peggy Keil of Palmer; daughter Jenny Keil of Homer; daughter Barbara Arend of Poulsbo, Wash.; son Brian Keil and daughter-in-law Trudie Keil of North Bend, Wash.; daughter Jessica Mannion and son-in-law Sean Mannion of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Services are at 1 p.m., Oct. 1 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Palmer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to local Hospice organizations.
Donald Hodge
Willow resident Donald Hodge, 53, died Sept. 8, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.
He was born Aug. 5, 1958, in Lexington, Tenn., son of Max and Marie (Mannis) Hodge.
A celebration of life service in his honor is at 11 a.m., Oct. 5 at Valley Funeral Home Chapel followed by burial at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery. Pastor Wes Hudson will officiate at the services.
He worked in the construction business and will be missed by his family and friends he made along his life’s journey.
Surviving are his son, Eric, and friend, Martha Goff.
The family was cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory of Wasilla.
