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Marilyn Wyrick
Marilyn Wyrick, 76, died Sept. 30, 2011, at her home in Willow.
Funeral services are at 1 p.m., Oct. 5 at Valley Church of Christ, on the Parks Highway Frontage Road between Hyer and Bogard roads in Wasilla. Minister Robert Kuenning will officiate. She will be interred at Aurora Cemetery in Wasilla.
Marilyn was born Dec. 1, 1934, in Velma, Okla., to Marvin and Vergie (Waller) Anderson.
She married L.E. Wyrick in June 1952. They moved to Alaska in 1959. They raised four children, which kept her busy.
According to her family, one of her proudest moments was getting her pilot’s license in the 1970s. She enjoyed flying planes, gold mining and taking care of her family. Her family will miss her mischievous smile, sparkling eyes and her loving heart.
Preceding her in death was her son, J.R. Wyrick.
Surviving are her husband, Leonard E. Wyrick Jr.; daughter, Susan (Don) Harding of Anchorage; daughter, Barbara Wyrick; daughter, Tracy (Eric) Holmburg; grandson, Jeff (Trisha) Wyrick; great-grandsons, Cameron and Cody Wyrick; and great-granddaughter, Caitlyn Wyrick all of Willow; grandson, Jason (Lauren) Wyrick; and great-granddaughter, Lily Wyrick all of Portland, Ore.; and close family friend, Jimmie Hutson of Willow.
Donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Resource Center of Alaska, P.O. Box 4406, Palmer, AK 99645.
Arrangements by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.
David W. Stone
David W. Stone, 69, died Sept. 28, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.
A memorial service for David is at 7 p.m., Oct. 6 at First Presbyterian Church of Wasilla on Bogard Road.
Dave was born Feb. 17, 1942, when he became the firstborn son of Theodore R. and Margaret (Poppler) Stone at their rural home near Lengby, Minn.
He attended grade school in Lengby and graduated from Fosston High School in 1960. Dave obtained his degree in education from Bemidji State University, and in 1964 started his teaching career in Erskine, Minn.
Dave’s educational career continued in the Waubun, Ogema, White Earth community schools as their elementary principal from 1970 to 1998.
Dave married Marilyn L. Clausen on July 16, l966, and they celebrated their 45th anniversary in July. Their life together was blessed with four wonderful children.
Surviving are his wife, Marilyn; children, Shari (Mike) Qual, Karin (Dan) Preisler, Loni (Jeramiah) Jirik and David (DJ) (Lena) Stone; grandchildren, Zack, MaCaylee and Maddie Qual, Theo, Isaak, KayDea and Analiseah Jirik, and Devin, Tyler and Lucas Stone; brothers, Mike (Donna) Stone and Merlin (Dottie) Stone; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death was his first granddaughter, Ashay Alizabeth; his parents, Ted and Margaret; and his sister, Agnes.
Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory made arrangements for the family.
William C. Hanson Jr.
William C. Hanson Jr., 78, died Sept. 19, 2011, with his family by his side.
Bill was born July 5, 1933, in Bayless, Calif., in his aunt Stella’s house. Bill spent his early years in the Ord Bend area. He attended grammar school in Chico, finally graduating from Chico High School in 1951. Bill received a special honor for having completed four years with no absent days in high school.
In search of work, he moved to Susanville, Calif., close to his sister, Phyllis. While there, he was drafted into the Army, serving from May 1953 to May 1955 in Alaska as a pole lineman in the Signal Corps.
Returning to Chico, he worked for Lyle Olson Stucco and Masonry. About 1958, he started his own contracting company, building houses and apartments around the Chico area.
In June 1957, Bill married Marilyn James and they had two sons, Glenn and Steve. Buying land north of Chico, they built a small ranch, breeding and showing horses.
After divorcing in 1974, he later married Barbara Bates and raised two more boys, David and Gary. They divorced in the early 1980s.
By the mid-1980s he started making a business change to bookkeeping with his friend Roger Cowley. On Feb. 14, 1989, he remarried his first love, Marilyn. Living in Biggs, Bill continued working with his construction friends and bookkeeping.
Always a hard worker, Bill was often the go-to guy to get it built or fixed, and he was always a good provider.
In the early years, the fall deer seasons were spent with family and friends in northeast California and Nevada. Later on, as time and age took over, arthritis limited his activities. He really enjoyed watching his 49ers on television, but any ball game was good.
Known for his gentle, kind spirit, it was hard to remember him saying anything negative of people he knew or hearing any of them speak negatively of Bill. His friends would say, “Willy, let’s go to work.”
There will be a memorial service for Bill at 11 a.m., Oct. 8, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 400 Spruce St., Gridley, Calif.
Anna Dean Breidford
Anna Dean Breidford, 76, died Sept. 27, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Hospital surrounded by her loving family, one day before her 77th birthday.
Anna was born in Monument, Ore., on Sept. 28, 1934, to James Shelley and Frances Bolin. There will be a celebration of her life at the Palmer Elks Lodge, 2600 Barry’s Resort Dr., Wasilla, at 3 p.m., Oct. 8. There will be potluck.
Anna’s family moved to Cordova when she was a child, and she and her siblings spent many joyful summers on Mummy Island near Cordova exploring the island and living in a rustic cabin built by her stepfather, Arlot Fleming. Anna’s family moved away from Alaska in 1949 and she attended high school in Blaine, Wash. She lived in Blaine for many years, raising her four children there.
In 1976, Anna and her husband, John T. Breidford, moved to Palmer. She and John owned and operated Breidford Body and Paint for 21 years, retiring in 2002. They enjoyed Alaska, traveling the many roads in their motor home. Anna was very artistic, loved to read, paint and quilt, and was a wonderful cook. Every meal that came out of her kitchen was a special treat. Anna loved animals and rescued many kittens, including her cat Lu.
Preceding her in death was her son, Curt Markusen; and sister, Pearl Langenfeld. Surviving are husband and best friend, John; daughter, Julie Cowan; sons, Mike and Gary Markusen; step-daughters, Janet Sutton and Jeri Benasky (Bob); sisters, Jerri Hunnicutt (Ken) and Jessie Jewell; brother, Tom Fleming (Joyce); four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Matthew Robert Katsur
Matthew Robert Katsur, 8, son of Robert and Bonnie Katsur of Wasilla, died Oct. 4, 2011, from complications due to acute lymphocytic leukemia.
Matthew was born July 19, 2003, at Providence Hospital in Anchorage. He was a second-grader at Iditarod Elementary School in Wasilla.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m., Oct. 8 at Wasilla Bible Church. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to HeartReach Center, 924 Leather Leaf Loop, Wasilla, AK 99645.
He was an inspiration to all who knew him with his quiet demeanor and joyous spirit; he was truly a special child. Although Matthew was a “special needs” child with Down syndrome (he was sensitive to being touched), he excelled at touching the lives of all he encountered in a special way. He never spoke a word, yet he communicated God’s love openly and freely to all those around him.
“We are going to miss Matthew greatly, yet we are comforted in knowing he is today in the embrace of Jesus Christ, our Lord, ” his family said.
Surviving are his brother, Peter; sister, Jennifer and her husband, Peter Barnes; sister, Rachel; brother, Joshua; grandparents, Richard and Marilyn Countryman; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who will miss him very much.
Preceding him in death were grandparents, Joseph and Julia Katsur.
The family would also like to acknowledge the care and love he received from his speech, physical and occupational therapists, as well as his teachers. Thank you for all you did for him. The family would also like to thank the emergency staff at Mat-Su Regional and Providence hospitals for theirs efforts in trying to save his life.
Dale Edward Prater
Dale Edward Prater, 45, died Oct. 1, 2011. He was born Aug. 14, 1966, in Concord, Calif.
A celebration of life is at 2 p.m., Oct. 9 at the home of his brother, 4046 W. Kertullla Court, Wasilla, followed by a drive to the Denali Highway/Seattle Creek area to spread his ashes. Everyone is welcome.
He was a kind and simple man with a huge heart who was willing to help anyone in need without question. He worked in construction with his brother and nephew for the family business. He loved fishing, hunting, football, spending every morning playing cards before work with his mother, spending time with his fiancée, who he was to marry in Las Vegas on Oct. 31, and spending every other possible moment with his niece and youngest nephew. It took very little to make him happy. He always had a smile on his face and was first to make a joke to make everyone around him smile. He always lit up every room with his very presence. Dale had a special zest for life and tried to live every day to the fullest without question or hesitation.
Preceding him in death was his father, Buddy Dale Prater.
Surviving are his mother, Patricia A. Henderson; brother and his spouse, William Lee and Michelle; nephews, Gordon Dale and Christian Lee; niece, Marijah Marie Prater; sister and her spouse, Chantelle and Terry; nephews, Kyle and Clayton; niece, Riley Beyer; brother and spouse, Chris and Lisa Gossett; close family friends, Jesse Rezendes and Mike Reinhart; and fiancée, Dawn Syers.
He was a very special man and will truly be missed.
Cremation arrangements entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel of Wasilla.
Michael Peter McLaughlin
Michael Peter McLaughlin, 39, died Sept. 25, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer surrounded by his family.
Michael was born in Chicago, Ill., on Aug. 30, 1972, to Joseph and Linda McLaughlin and moved to Big Lake in 2001. He loved fishing and loved his boys, Jon and Joey. His niece, whom he referred to as “my Anna, ” also held a special place in his heart.
Preceding him in death was his father, Joseph William McLaughlin.
Surviving are his sons, Jonathan Michael McLaughlin, 14, and Joseph William McLaughlin, 11; mother, Linda L. McLaughlin; sister, Heather K. Costley; brother-in-law, Jeremiah L. Costley; niece, Anna E. Costley; beloved aunts and uncles; and numerous cousins.
A memorial service for Michael is at noon, Oct. 10 at Legacy Kehl’s Palmer Chapel, 209 S. Alaska St., in Palmer.
James Lawrence Oliver
James Lawrence Oliver Sr., 78, died Sept. 16, 2011, due to complications from cancer.
A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Wasilla, 1375 East Bogard Road, at 3 p.m., Sept. 22.
Jim was born Dec. 19, 1932, in Camden, N.J., and grew up in Philadelphia. He attended Simon Gratz High School and then the Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades in Media, Penn., graduating in 1953.
He began working for the Budd Company in Philadelphia in auto body design and left to join the U.S. Air Force. He served in Laredo, Texas, and then Anchorage, where he received an honorable discharge in 1961 as a staff sergeant. He then worked for the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the Alaska Department of Highways, the U.S. Corps of Engineers and finally the FAA as a realty specialist. He retired after 33 years of service with the federal government. He was an active member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees, serving several years as state president and also several years as president of the Mat-Su chapter of NARFE.
Jim was active in church activities at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Anchorage and at First Presbyterian Church in Wasilla. In his earlier years, he was a well-known stock car racer at the old Alaska Speedway. He was active in community service as a volunteer firefighter, Red Cross trainer in first aid and CPR, Habitat for Humanity Mat-Su and the Food Pantry of Wasilla.
Jim also acted in several productions at Valley Performing Arts in Wasilla, and he was a clown with the Holy Interruption clown troupe.
He is survived by his brother, George (Phyllis); wife, Elsie; sons, James L. Oliver Jr. (Kathy) and Bryan Clements (Vicki); daughter, Maryeva Beesley (James); six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity Mat-Su or to the Food Pantry of Wasilla.
Arrangements for the family were made by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory.
David W. Stone
David W. Stone, 69, died Sept. 28, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.
A memorial service for David is at 7 p.m., Oct. 6 at First Presbyterian Church of Wasilla on Bogard Road.
Dave was born Feb. 17, 1942, when he became the firstborn son of Theodore R. and Margaret (Poppler) Stone at their rural home near Lengby, Minn.
He attended grade school in Lengby and graduated from Fosston High School in 1960. Dave obtained his degree in education from Bemidji State University, and in 1964 started his teaching career in Erskine, Minn.
Dave’s educational career continued in the Waubun, Ogema, White Earth community schools as their elementary principal from 1970 to 1998.
Dave married Marilyn L. Clausen on July 16, l966, and they celebrated their 45th anniversary in July. Their life together was blessed with four wonderful children.
Surviving are his wife, Marilyn; children, Shari (Mike) Qual, Karin (Dan) Preisler, Loni (Jeramiah) Jirik and David (DJ) (Lena) Stone; grandchildren, Zack, MaCaylee and Maddie Qual, Theo, Isaak, KayDea and Analiseah Jirik, and Devin, Tyler and Lucas Stone; brothers, Mike (Donna) Stone and Merlin (Dottie) Stone; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death was his first granddaughter, Ashay Alizabeth; his parents, Ted and Margaret; and his sister, Agnes.
Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory made arrangements for the family.
