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Julia "Annette" Gardner
Longtime Alaskan Julia “Annette” Gardner, 74, died Oct. 7, 2011, at home in Wasilla after a lengthy illness.
Annette was born Oct. 9, 1937, in Newville, Ala., the youngest of four sisters.
In 1957, she met and married Leonard “Tiny” Gardner. They moved to Alaska the same year, arriving with little money but big dreams. In 1960, Tiny and Annette started Hilltop Sales and Service, a towing and wrecking business that later became Hilltop Recycling in Chugiak.
Over the next 37 years, they worked side-by-side to build their business and their family, raising six children through some lean times. Annette loved her family and sacrificed some of life’s comforts to make sure they had everything that made them happy.
In Annette’s house there was always a hot meal cooking, a fresh pot of coffee brewing and lots of love for all who stopped by to visit. She raised six kids, but there were dozens who called her mom.
After she lost Tiny in 1994, she continued working until retiring in 2005 for some well-deserved and long-overdue rest and relaxation. Annette traveled in her last years, visiting relatives and friends. She spent time reading, painting and doing crossword puzzles.
Annette is survived by her sons, James, Samuel, Robert, George and Benjamin and their spouses; daughter, Marjorie, and her fiancé, Charles Doubek; sisters, Betty Busbee, Marjorie Jones and Willierae Coursey; and some she enjoyed the most, her 18 grandchildren, who gave her 13 great-grandchildren.
She will be missed by many, but forgotten by few.
Services are at Witzleben Family Funeral Home at 1707 S. Bragaw St., Anchorage, with a viewing at 11 a.m., and the funeral at noon, Oct. 15.
Doris Bell Tallman
Wasilla resident Doris Bell Tallman, 90, died peacefully at home, where she lived with her granddaughter, Dawn Rodrigue, and grandson, Jordan Rodrigue.
Celebration of life in honor of Doris is at 1 p.m., Oct. 16 at Bingo Mania in Wasilla.
At Doris’s request, her ashes will be driven down the Alaska Highway back to Vermont, where she will be buried next to her husband. She also requested a stop along the way at a casino, where $20 will be played in a slot machine for her.
Doris was born May 12, 1921, in Lowell, Vt., the daughter of Dorick and Myra (Akins) Pronto.
Doris moved to Alaska in 1985. She enjoyed sewing, fishing and trips to Las Vegas, but her biggest love was playing bingo.
The family wrote: “She was a strong, independent, loving and caring woman. She was loved by many and will be dearly missed.”
Her PCA, Melissa Dreas, said, “I will miss seeing her face every day.”
Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Wendell Tallman (June 1977); and her daughter-in-law, Sandra Tallman (January 2003).
Doris is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Arthur and Bobbie Tallman of Pascagoula, Miss.; son and daughter-in-law, Dorick and Barbara Tallman of North Wolcott, Vt.; son and daughter-in-law, Edward and Jenny Tallman of Wasilla; son, Winston Tallman of Wasilla; daughter and son-in-law, Sheila and Forrest Dow of Wasilla; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
The family was cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.
Roy Howard Mackie
Roy Howard Mackie, 59, died Oct. 8, 2011, at St. Elias Specialty Hospital in Anchorage.
A celebration of life is Oct. 29 at St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer with Pastor Jonathon Rockey officiating. An additional service at a later date is planned in Biwabik, Minn., at Lakeside Cemetery, where Roy can also be with his beloved family.
A summer service is planned in Skwentna on July 14, 2012, at Roy’s cabin.
Roy was born March 25, 1952, in Eveleth, Minn. He graduated from Eveleth High School in 1970.
Roy was an avid hockey player and he played for several hockey teams in Alaska — the Texico Chiefs, Anchorage Wolverines and the Vets League to name a few. If he wasn’t playing hockey he was reading about it and never missed a game of his favorite team the Montreal Canadians.
Roy came to Alaska in 1978 to work on the pipeline and lived in Anchorage until he moved to Skwentna in 1985 to pursue his dream of hunting, fishing and trapping. He worked as a fishing guide, taking out celebrities and professional hockey and football players.
Roy is survived by his greatest love, his son, Luc (Nycole) Mackie and his beloved granddaughter Millie Ann Marie, of Palmer; brother, David (Carol) Mackie and family of Gilbert, Minn.; sister, Judy (Barry) Irish; nephew, Eric and niece, Amanda and their families of Iron, Minn.; nephew, Troy Judunich of Scottsdale, Ariz.; uncle, Beste of Virginia, Minn.; and many cousins, friends and loved ones.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Roy T. and Izzy (Tregenza) Mackie; sister, Mary Jane (Tudy) Jagunich; and grandparents, Jim and Pearl Tregenza, Chester and Doris Boyanowski and General Mackie.
Arrangements were with Legacy Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.
Al Okeson
Longtime Palmer resident Al Okeson, 78, died Oct. 13, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center from pneumonia and lung disease.
Funeral services are at 3 p.m., Oct. 23 at St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer.
Al was born Sept. 11, 1933, in Sisseton, S.D. Al grew up in a trilingual farming home, where English, Norwegian and Swedish were spoken simultaneously — and sometimes competitively. At age 6, Al was stricken with polio and spent a year in bed nearly completely immobilized. After a year, the polio in his legs mostly went away, but he forever lost the full use of his right arm.
Since polio made farming difficult, Al pursued his education and graduated from Minnesota’s Concordia College in 1956. Al became a teacher and basketball coach in Mountain, N.D., where he saw his small team of 10 win a small-school state championship in 1958.
On Aug. 26, 1961, Al married Gloria Engle of Harmony, Minn., and the next day they started driving to Alaska, where Al was to be a Palmer High School counselor and part-time director of a then barely operating night school community college. Al also started the guidance program at Wasilla High School while working full-time at Palmer High and running the fledgling college in the evenings.
The college grew into its own campus in 1972. In his role as campus director and then president, Al’s work garnered a host of recognitions from the Board of Regents, legislators, governors and even a Leadership Recognition Award presented to him by President George H. Bush in 1989.
In addition to his wife, Gloria, Al leaves behind three children: Phil, a chief financial officer; Mark, a high school principal; and Cathy, a professional counselor and behavioral specialist. Al’s five grandchildren also will miss him.
Known for his kindness and generosity, Al was essentially a farm kid at heart, a man who enjoyed simple pleasures and was a lifelong fan of western movies and music. Often a man of few words, the words he did speak he meant, and one would be hard-pressed to find an example of him ever breaking his word.
In keeping with Al’s life as an educator and philanthropist, memorial contributions can be made to The Al and Gloria Educational Endowment Fund, a trust the Okesons established to help Mat-Su students in need, or to St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer. Endowment checks can be written to the University of Alaska Foundation, The Alvin S. and Gloria M. Okeson Endowed Scholarship No. 80979, 1815 Bragaw Street, Suite 203, Anchorage, AK 99508.
LaVera “Jacque” F. Breeden
LaVera “Jacque” F. Breeden, 84, died in her home on Oct. 8, 2011, in Palmer. She was born Nov. 3, 1926, in Portland, Ore., to Ellis and Freda Bartrow.
Jacque was a welder in the shipyards during World War II in Portland, Ore. She came to Alaska in 1946, where she worked in the mess hall on base washing dishes. There she met the love of her life, Don Breeden. They married and established a home site on O’Malley. They then moved to a home site on Upper Huffman, where they started a dairy operation, working side-by-side.
In 1957, they moved the dairy operation to the Matanuska Valley. In 1966, Jacque attended the Prescott School of Cosmetology. She worked as a beautician at Bonita’s Beauty Shop in Palmer and later opened her own shop, Jacque’s Beauty Shop, on the farm.
The dairy farm eventually changed to Matanuska Industries Inc., which included a variety of businesses over the years: a truck farm (vegetable farm), Matanuska Riding Stables and Guest Ranch, and Matanuska Lake RV Park. In 1987, Jacque and Don retired and moved briefly to Maui, Hawaii.
Some of her interests included quilting, sewing, crossword puzzles, hiking, gardening, decorative painting, organ, violin and trombone. She also volunteered to provide hairdressing at the Pioneer’s Home in Palmer and was a 4-H Club leader.
Jacque was a pioneering woman and homesteader with a generous heart. A champion of the underdog, she provided a home away from home for many neighborhood kids, friends and wranglers and was known for making the best biscuits in the world. Her passion in life was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her family and friends will all remember her sparkle, easy smile and great stories from real life.
Jacque is survived by her siblings, Moses Bartrow and Caroline Miller; children, Sandy Johnston, Donna Breeden, John Breeden, Linda Reger, Rick Breeden and Ralph Breeden; grandchildren, Luna, Cindy, James, Dawna, Scotty, Felicia, Dawson, Michael, Kiana, Tim, Marissa, Carlie and Brandon; and great-grandchildren, Chi, Trenton, Gavin, Kiernan, Aurora and Lillian.
A celebration of life service are at 2 p.m., Oct. 15 at the Palmer Moose Lodge No. 793, 1136 S. Cobb St., Palmer, AK 99645. Flowers are welcome. She loved red roses. Pallbearers are her grandsons, Scotty Reger, Dawson Reger, Michael Breeden, Tim Breeden, Brandon Breeden and Ben Toche.
When Jacque was a child, the Salvation Army was instrumental in her family’s survival during the depression era. The family requests any memorial donations to be made to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1106, Palmer, AK 99645.
John P. Hurley
John P. Hurley, 60, died Oct. 5, 2011, at his home off Trunk Road near Palmer.
He came to Alaska 30 years ago and worked in construction projects all across the state. Thanks to his enviable carpentry skills, he and his tools traveled to many far-flung places over the years, including Shemya, Kotzebue, Fort Yukon, Denali National Park, Cordova, Hawaii and Japan, not to mention his work on projects for friends and family in places like Indiana, Oklahoma, Illinois, Seward, Anchorage and throughout the Mat-Su Valley.
John will always be remembered for his beautiful smile and his love of music and laughter. Those closest to him need only look at the craftsmanship he left in their homes to remind them of what a true artist he was.
Born and raised in Indianapolis, Ind., John graduated from high school there in 1969 and attended college before eventually leaving his home state and striking out on his own. At that point, he began capitalizing on construction skills his father had taught him. Starting as a house painter in Colorado, it wasn’t long before John donned a tool belt and worked as a finish carpenter and tile setter.
He also lived in Oregon before heading to Alaska in 1981 to join some friends who assured him he would have no trouble finding employment. John found work everywhere he went while constantly expanding his circle of friends.
There are many who will miss his genuine smile and love of laughter, including his mother and older sister in Indiana, his brother in Tennessee, his younger sister in California, his nieces and nephews, and that circle of friends scattered far and near.
Dan “Snag” Arnold
Dan “Snag” Arnold, 63, died in his sleep at his home in Wasilla on Oct. 15, 2011.
Dan was born Feb. 18, 1948, to Monroe and Neoma Arnold in Leesville, La. He attended grade school and high school in Hicks, La., where he enjoyed playing baseball and often bragged about his .514 batting average.
At the age of 19, he began his career in the oil fields of Louisiana. His first job was driving a rig-up truck for B.F. Walker, and thus began his 4-plus-million-mile career in trucking. If it had an engine and tires, he could drive it. He and his devoted wife, Kathy, braved the Alaska Highway in March 1982, arriving in Alaska to pursue work in the Last Frontier, permanently imbedding the good ol’ Johnny Horton ballad into the memories of his three young children.
He worked on the North Slope for more than 27 years. He joined Local 302 Operating Engineers Union in 1998 and finished his career on the North Slope with Norcon retiring just this year. Throughout his construction career he made countless friends and friendships he maintained for many years. His friends will remember him for his Cajun humor and Elvis sideburns.
Dan was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was always happy to take his grandchildren for a truck ride. He took great pride in customizing his own truck. His philosophy was “the more chrome, the better.” He was a simple man of few words, but he enjoyed his morning coffee and joke sessions with his buddies at Denali Family Restaurant. He was very proud of his children and all of their accomplishments. He will be deeply missed not only by his family, but by his lifelong childhood friend, Jimmy Stevens of Alice, Texas, his coffee drinkin’ gang, truckin’ buddies and his four-legged furry companion, Wallie.
Dan is survived by his wife of 32 years, Kathy of Wasilla; children, Jill (William) Smith, Jessica (Steven) Gahan and Daniel (Shauna) Arnold; grandchildren, Shania Turnbull, Eli and McKinna Smith, and Westin and Titan Arnold, all of Wasilla; sister in-law, Carol Hoadley; nephews, Artis and Gervis Arnold that he had just recently reconnected with after 40 years; and numerous nieces and nephews in Caldwell, Idaho.
A casual celebration of Dan’s life is at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 21 at VFW Post 9365, 301 East Lakeview Ave., Wasilla. Everyone is welcome to bring a dish and a story.
Condolences may be mailed to the family, P.O. Box 873372, Wasilla, AK 99687.
Arrangements were cared for by the Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.
Kenneth Arthur Neslund
Kenneth Arthur Neslund, beloved husband, loving father and grandfather, died Oct. 10, 2011, surrounded by his family. He lived at Primrose Retirement Community in Wasilla.
Ken was born Oct. 23, 1942, in Oakland, Calif., to Albin and Doris Neslund. He grew up in a family of craftsmen who loved the outdoors. He met his future wife, Linda Doris King, at a teen function at Avocado Lake, Calif., in 1961. He served as a radioman in the Navy from 1961-66. He was assigned to the USS Oakhill.
He married Linda in 1967. The adventurous duo packed their worldly possessions in a 1964 Volkswagen bus and left the warmth of Selma, Calif., to begin a life in the North. They arrived in Fairbanks in August 1969. Ken enrolled at University of Alaska Fairbanks. He received his Bachelor of Science degree and his teaching credential May 1972. Ken taught in Togiak and Valdez.
Ken was an innovative teacher, and a highly skilled craftsman and carpenter. His love of all things marine manifested itself throughout his curriculum in the Valdez Elementary School. His incredible gifts were shared with his children and students. The fifth- and sixth-graders built cedar strip canoes, paddles, skiffs and kayaks. He developed a marine science curriculum for his students that went beyond the classroom: The Coast Guard gave instruction for boat and water safety; the fire department taught and certified students in first aid; local Ham operators set up a “Ham shack” and students talked to Ham operators all over the world. Hundreds of Alaskan schoolchildren learned to identify constellations in the night sky as they learned navigational skills. Ken had his students launch their boats in Prince William Sound in an annual activity lovingly called Paddle Pandemonium. Ken was nominated for “Who’s Who of American Teachers” five times. Ken retired from teaching in 1997.
Ken and Linda traveled before settling lakeside in Sutton.
Ken is survived by his wife, Linda Doris Neslund; daughter and son-in-law, Helen Ruth and Jeff Vincent; grandchildren, Paige, Sarah, Nevin, Kenneth and Jeffrey of Palmer; son, David Albin and daughter-in-law, Kristine Neslund, and grandson, Leif Neslund of Wasilla; brother, Douglas Neslund of Nevada; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death was his oldest brother, Robert Cornelius “Neil” Jones.
A celebration of life is at 4 p.m., Oct. 22 at Valley Church of Christ, 6901 E. Blue Lupine Drive, Wasilla. A potluck until 7 p.m. will follow the celebration of life. Family and friends are encouraged to share humorous memories.
Condolences can be sent to: Linda Neslund P.O. Box 771, Palmer, AK 99645.
Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
