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JOHN CARLSON
John Irvin Carlson, 84, died May 13, 2002, at his Talkeetna home. His ashes will be scattered over the Talkeetna River.
Mr. Carlson was born February 14, 1918, in Polk City, Iowa. He received an associate’s degree in the dairy industry from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1940 to 1946, as a Gunner’s Mate 1st Class. He fought in the major sea battles of World War II in the Pacific. He came to Alaska in 1957, and resided in Talkeetna.
Carlson was a lineman in communications on the Alaska Railroad until his retirement. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and he was a former trustee of the Talkeetna Fire Department. He was an accomplished amateur gunsmith and he enjoyed reading.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John P. and Nellie M. (Auspach) Carlson; brother, Donald William Carlson of Colorado, Iowa; and sister, Jean Marie Rold of Bellevue, Nebraska. Survivors are his brother and sister-in-law, Glen and Audre Carlson of Lena, Illinois; sister-in-law, Wanda Carlson of Colo, Iowa; numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews; and close friend, Frank O’Brian of Talkeetna.
COL. ARNOLD H. ECHOLA
Col. Arnold H. Echola passed away just before his 77th birthday. A resident of Willow, Alaska since 1961, Arnold Harvey Echola passed away on May 10, 2002. Arnold Echola was born on May 29, 1925 in Crystal Falls, Michigan. In 1944, Arnold became a tail gunner with the Eighth Air Force stationed at Snetterton Heath, England and made 20 missions over Berlin. Shot down on their fifth mission his crew landed safety in Poland; it took one month for them to return to England. After W.W.II Arnold went to pilot school, learned to fly with Chuck Yeager and Don Sheldon (Alaskan bush pilot). He went back to Germany, this time flying the Frankfort/Berlin Airlift; his airplane carried everything from food to bicycles. In 1948, Arnold flew C-54’s to Alaska and Hawaii, this began his life long dream to move to Alaska and homestead.
After the war Arnold married Sally Jane Riley (who passed away fourteen months ago) in Fairfield, California. Arnold graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. The Echola family relocated around the world due to Arnold’s work, until they landed in Willow. In Alaska, Arnold Echola worked for the Corps of Engineers and for the Department of Interior. While with the DOI he worked as an inspector for Alyeska Pipeline Co. at the Valdez terminal. Wise investments allowed Arnold to retire at the age of 52 and he never looked back.
Arnold Echola broke the mold with his satire and wit. He made a lasting impression upon everyone lucky enough to meet him. He was a caring and loving father and family man. He enjoyed having his family around him as much as possible. He sadly leaves his three children: Michael Echola, Charisse Ventgen and Patrice Echola, five grandchildren and four great-grand children (with one more on the way). We shall all miss you, Arnie; take care, and say “HI” to Mother for us.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be directed to Hospice of Mat-Su, 950 E. Bogard Rd. Suite 133, Wasilla, Alaska 99657-7171.
Andrew Kirsch, 72
Wasilla resident Mr. Andrew Allen Kirsch, 72, died June 13, 2002 at his home from complications of cancer, with his family and friends at his side. No services will be held. His ashes will be scattered at Sunshine at a later date.
Mr. Kirsch was born October 7, 1929 in Bismarck, North Dakota. At the age of 7, Andrew came with his family to Alaska as a Matanuska colonist.
His family then moved to Sunshine, where Andrew and his father built the family home. The Sunshine home site has since been placed on the National Historical Register. He had worked for the Alaska Railroad, for Frank Smith Masonry building basements and fireplaces, and later went to work for the Post Engineers as a maintenance and repairperson, from where he retired in October 1998.
His family wrote; “Andrew enjoyed going to Fort Richardson for his lunches with his buddies once a week, camping, and he still had his dream of owning another airplane. Andrew will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched.”
His special interests were his dogs, Sam-Sam and Grady, and traveling with his nephew John.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dawn; his parents, John and Rose Kirsch; brother, Ernie; and nephew, Keith.
He is survived by his son, Andy and his girlfriend, Lori Klein; daughter, Cindy; brothers, David and Jim Kirsch; nieces Bonnie, Barbara, Suzanne and Bobby; nephews, John, Kenny, Mitch and Wayne; sister-in-law, Sharon Jensen; and friend, Norma.
Memorial Donations may be made to Hospice of Mat-Su, 3051 E. Palmer Wasilla Highway, Wasilla, 99654.
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory of Wasilla.
Raymond E. MacDonald, 71
Talkeetna resident Mr. Raymond E. MacDonald, 71, died at his home April 30, 2003 of natural causes. A celebration of life ceremony in Talkeetna is pending.
Mr. MacDonald was born August 1, 1931 in Anchorage, Alaska. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran and had been employed by ATU in Anchorage until his retirement in 1987. His hobbies were hunting and fishing.
Mr. MacDonald's family said, "Ray was a kind and generous man who loved his daughters and friends. He was well respected for his community service. He was well loved and will be greatly missed."
Mr. MacDonald is survived by his daughters, Kathy Plath of Kent, WA, Cheryl Tatum of Bainbridge Island, WA, Deborah Pattison of Vancouver, WA and Patricia Cochran of Anchorage, AK, by his life companion, Elaine Tobias of Talkeetna, and by six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the building fund of the Upper Susitna Seniors, Inc., P.O. Box 487, Talkeetna, Alaska 99676. Arrangements are with Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.
Robert John Noble
Talkeetna resident Robert John Noble age 62 died April 16, 2011 at his home in Talkeetna after a battle with cancer.
A memorial service will be held at 23 p.m. July 5 pm at the Disabled American Veterans Home in Rapid City, S.D., with Father Thomas Campbell officiating. Memorial services will be held in the fall in Talkeetna.
Robert was born to Harry John and Frances(May) Noble on Nov. 18, 1948 in Vale, S.D.
He moved to Alaska in June 2006 and moved to Talkeetna with his wife, Marjorie.
He served in the U.S. Navy, retiring in 1987, and owned and operated Noble Ceramics and Noble Lawn care in Virginia Beach, Va., and Noble Ceramics in Rapid City, S.D. He also worked for the Mule Muffin Ranch in Piedmont, S.D.
He belonged to the Masonic Lodge Battle River Lodge 92; the Royal Arch Masons Black Hills Chapter 25, Black Hills Council 3, Cryptic Masons and Knights Templar Schrader Commandry 9. He was also a Lifetime member of the Talkeetna VFW and the Rapid City, S.D. DAV and American Legion.
He was a member of the St. John Episcopal Church in Deadwood, S.D.
He donated complete ceramic services to the local nursing homes and native American youth clubs in both Virginia and South Dakota.
Robert loved spending time in the outdoors and after serving 20 years in the Navy he loved working on the land. He loved animals and shared that love with his “kids,” Sonsie and Simone the mules; Lady and Mable, the horses; Cookie and Coco Dally Llama and the two babies they lost, all their dogs, Terry, Bear Bear, Bonnie, Jakey, Hunter, Fiona, Kennen and their new baby, Ina, along with their goat and the chickens and ducks.
His wife, Marjorie, shared that he was the love of her life and will be dearly missed by his mother, brothers, sister, daughters, grandchildren and extended family and many friends. He dearly loved their place in Talkeetna and the beautiful view of Denali when the sun had set.
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie, of Talkeetna; a daughter, Tammy, and her husband Mark King Sr. of Cross, S.C.; grandchildren Amanda Bennett, Mark King Jr. and Marty King all of Cross, S.C.; his mother, Frances Noble of Rapid City, S.D.; a daughter-in-law, Loretta Noble, of Chesapeake, Va.; stepdaughters Angela(Michael) Jahn of Shirley, Mass.; Laura Dewey, also of Shirley, Mass.; and grandsons Paul Michael Jahn, Max David Jahn, and Gage Henry Jahn, all of Shirley, Mass.; grandchildren Jessica and William Noble of Virginia Beach, Va.
He also is survived by brothers Gary and his wife Cindy Noble; Larry and his wife Marsha Noble, all of Rapid City, S.D.; sister Kay and her husband Bob King of Colorado Springs, Colo.; sister-in-law Elaine Noble of La Habra, Calif.; brothers-in-law Fred and his wife Michel Huxley of Kenai; Robert and his wife Doris Huxley of Shirley, Mass.; and John and Debbie Huxley of Rancho Mirage, Calif. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, H. John Noble; sons Timothy, John and Billy Jack Noble; his first wife Sharon (Miller) Noble; and a brother, Clayton Noble.
Memorial donations may be made to the Rapid City York Rite Bodies – Knights Templar Eye Foundation, 618 Kansas City Street Rapid City, SD 57701-2712
The family was cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.
