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Mabel Marie Lewis
Nikiski resident Mabel Marie Lewis died Sunday, May 27, 2001, at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna. She was 91.
Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m. today at First Baptist Church of Port Nikiski. Her son, the Rev. Harold R. Lewis will officiate. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, Mich.
Mrs. Lewis was born Aug. 21, 1909, in Niles. She lived there until 1985. She then moved to Kodiak and lived there until 1989, she then moved to Anchorage and lived there until moving to Nikiski in 1991.
Mrs. Lewis was a member of the First Baptist Church of Port Nikiski.
She was preceded in death by her husband, two grandchildren and all seven brothers and sisters.
Mrs. Lewis is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law Harold and Nancy Lewis of Nikiski and Robert and Mary Lewis of Augusta, Mich.; grandchildren Nathan, Julaine, Mark and Vicki Lewis, Janee and her husband Rick Button, Joy Plumridge, Karen and her husband Tim Bowers and Mayra and her husband Gary Schmidt; nine great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the First Baptist Church of Port Nikiski Building Fund, P.O. Box 7534, Nikiski, AK 99635.
Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Mary Agnes Mahan
Soldotna resident Mary Agnes Mahan died Tuesday, May 22, 2001, at her home off Mackey Lake Road. She was 82.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Spruce Grove Memorial Park in Kasilof. Memorial services will follow at 4 p.m. Monday at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses on Kalifornsky Beach Road.
Mrs. Mahan was born Feb. 21, 1919, at Bemidji, Minn. She moved to Alaska on June 22, 1961, residing in Soldotna. She was a housewife, mother and grandmother.
She enjoyed crocheting, houseplants, her three dogs and reading.
"Her family was of the utmost importance to her. She loved to call them and tell them all the events in the world and keep in special contact. She and her grandson Eddie Madsen got their GED at the same time. Mary was 67 years old at the time. She loved her daughter Theresa above and beyond. She also loved to can food, " the family said.
Mrs. Mahan was preceded in death by her parents, James and Bridget Lealos; brothers James and Edward Lealos; sister, Alice Gibney; son, Brian Joseph; grandchildren, Kristine Mahan, Senema Rose Renner and Eddie Madsen; and great-grandchild, Jeff Graham.
She is survived by her husband, Alfred; sons Jerry Mahan, of Soldotna, and Tom Mahan, of Minnesota; sons and daughters-in-law Mike and Mavis Mahan, of Minnesota, Dan and Lynelle Mahan, of Soldotna, Tim and Laura Mahan, of Soldotna, Steve and Nancy Lealos, of Montana, Garrett and Iretta Mahan, of Delta, and Brian and Lisa Mahan, of Clam Gulch; daughters Bonnie Mahan, Miriam Mahan and Theresa Mahan, all of Soldotna; daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen and David Kumpe, of Soldotna, and Rose and Randy Renner, of Kasilof; 42 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Nick Grienoff Elxnit
Former Seldovia resident Nick Grienoff Elxnit died at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage on Saturday, May 26, 2001. He was 97.
Orthodox services and burial were held in Seldovia Saturday, June 2.
Mr. Elxnit was born in Kodiak on Nov. 3, 1903, to Alexandra Fomin, of Aleut and Russian descent, and Harry Grienoff of Finland. His stepfather was Alex Elxnit of Seldovia.
Following the Mount Katmai eruption in 1913, the family left Kodiak on the steamer Bertha for Seldovia, where his maternal grandfather, Nicholas Fomin, was a schoolteacher and lay reader at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church. The family lived in Ninilchik for several years before the herring boom brought them back to Seldovia in 1919.
He remained a Seldovia resident until January when complications from a fall compelled him to move to the Anchorage Pioneers Home.
Mr. Elxnit fished commercially and in 1924 and 1925 worked at Seldovia's Powder Island sawmill for $90 a month. During the winters, he cut fish trap poles at Tutka Bay and harvested ice to cool drinks at Joe Hill's Dance Hall. He hauled groceries to English Bay for 50 cents a box, worked in canneries at Ninilchik and Kasilof, and as Seldovia school janitor and still found time for fun. He fashioned moosehide toboggans, skis from herring barrel staves and loved a good game of cards. In 1931, he helped build Seldovia's famous boardwalk. He danced during Russian Christmas and was known for his fish head soup.
"Nick loved life and the outdoors, with never an unkind word or complaint. This and his lively opinions about modern life vs. the 'old ways, ' earned him many dear friends and admirers. Nick's unfailing memory and his willingness to share his experiences ensured that the tales of old Seldovia will live on, " his family said. "As a respected elder he was a living repository of Seldovia history, and the community grieves the passing of its oldest and most beloved member."
Mr. Elxnit was preceded in death by his sister, Dora Ursin.
He is survived by his nephews Rayder Ursin of Ninilchik and Norman Ursin of Seattle; nieces Laura Resoff of Kodiak and Eleanor Shurvaloff of Edmonds, Wash.; and many great- and grand-nieces and nephews.
Robert J. Guenther
Former Kenai resident Robert J. Guenther died Sunday, May 27, 2001, in Anchorage. He was 61.
Services will be held Friday. For information about the service, call Sharon Lind at (907) 561-3033.
Mr. Guenther was born on Aug. 27, 1939, in Oregon, where he was raised. He later relocated to Alaska, where he met his wife, Angelina. The couple was married for nearly 40 years and raised their five children in Kenai.
"Bob's first priority was family, and he passed his love of life and laughter to each of his children and grandchildren. This strong wind has passed -- but it will always be remembered. Goodnight, sweet dreams, God bless you, we love you dad -- we'll miss you, " his family said.
Mr. Guenther is survived by wife, Angelina; children Robert Snigaroff, Edith Coma, John Guenther, Sharon Lind and Rachael Porter; grandchildren Bryan, Matt and Mike Fannon, Mary, Allison and Andrew Guenther and Madeline Snigaroff; mother, Geraldine Guenther; brothers and sisters Ronald, Louise, Richard, Deloris, Phyllis, John, Don, Edward, Ann, Angela, Mary and Margie.
Dallas Walker
Homer resident Dallas Walker died Sunday, June 3, 2001, in Homer. He was 44.
Arrangements are pending with the Homer Funeral Home.
Tammy R. Moore
Kenai resident Tammy R. Moore died Monday, June 4, 2001, at her home in Kenai. She was 39.
Arrangements are pending with Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Ward E. Bible
Former Soldotna resident Ward E. Bible died Thursday, May 17, 2001, at the Anchorage Pioneer's Home. He was 88.
Services will be announced at a later date.
Mr. Bible was born on May 27, 1912, on a farm outside of Coshocton, Ohio, where he graduated from high school. He moved to southern California in 1935, and worked for Douglas Aircraft in Culver City for almost 10 years. He then moved his family to Victorville, Calif., where he and his wife Marguerite went into the food and beverage business. They were best known for owning and operating the "Covered Wagon" in downtown, and later the "Red Log" on the hill in Victorville.
After retiring from those enterprises, and subsequently building a vacation camper park in Chester, Calif., he and and his wife moved to Soldotna in 1993 to be with their family.
Mr. Bible loved to hunt and fish, and pursued those interests throughout his life. He also enjoyed following sports, participating in a good card game, and could tell wonderful stories on any subject. He especially loved his time with his many grandchildren. He had a way of making people feel very comfortable around him.
He was a charter and lifetime member of the Victorville Elks Lodge, which he enjoyed and was always very proud of.
"Grandpa Bible will be missed by all, " his family said.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marguerite; parents, Adam and Elnora; and sister, Norma.
His is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Glenn and Francis Bible; sister, Leila Norris; sons and daughters-in-law Dennis and Susan and Glenn and Susan; grandchildren Scott, Christine, Ryan and Courtney; and great-grandchildren Desiree, Bradley, Carissa, Carley and Erica.
Arrangements were made by Evergreen Memorial Chapel.
Walter Emerick
Soldotna resident Walter Emerick died Tuesday, May 22, 2001, at his home in Soldotna. He was 76.
Memorial services are pending with Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Laura L. Butler
Kenai area resident Laura L. Butler died Monday, June 18, 2001, at Heritage Place in Soldotna. She was 72.
Memorial services are pending with Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Charles "Papa Charlie" Rediske
Nikiski resident Charles "Papa Charlie" Rediske died Monday, June 18, 2001, at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna. He was 63.
Memorial services will be 7 p.m. Thursday at the First Baptist Church of Port Nikiski. Pastors Harold Lewis and Larry Huntsperger will officiate. Burial will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Sunshine Point across Kachemak Bay. Perennial flowers will be planted near the grave site. Those needing to make travel arrangements for the burial should call 399-7256.
Mr. Rediske was born Jan. 21, 1938, in Bellingham, Wash. He moved to Anchorage when he was 12 and graduated from Anchorage High School. After graduating, he worked as a journeyman electrician all over Alaska for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. On April 2, 1961, he married Ami Porter at the First Baptist Church in Anchorage. After they were married, they moved to the family homestead in Nikiski and built their home there. He retired from the I.B.E.W. 10 years ago and started Rediske Air Inc.
Mr. Rediske was a member of the Peninsula Fellowship, Pioneers of Alaska and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associations. He attended Port Nikiski Baptist Church for many years. He also was on the board for the Alaska Airmen's Safety Foundation. Over the years, he earned many safety awards both as a journeyman electrician and pilot. His hobbies included his family, flying and Jesus.
"Papa Charlie fulfilled his lifelong dream of operating an air taxi, servicing Alaska Bush communities, " his family wrote. "Fly away home, Papa Charlie."
Mr. Rediske is survived by his wife of 40 years, Ami Jo Rediske; children and their spouses Charlie and Nancy Rediske, Ike and Tricia Rediske, Dan and Sallie Rediske, Lyla Rediske and Don Stuart, and Willy Rediske; grandchildren Christopher, Ashley, Danielle, Michael, Katy, Dustin and Roan; brother, Walt Rediske; sister, Barbara Strecker; extended family and many, many friends and clients.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Walter J. Covich
Longtime Alaska resident Walter J. Covich died Saturday, May 19, 2001, at Central Peninsula General Hospital after a brief illness. He was 83.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Chapel by the Sea in Anchorage. Dr. Bob Provost and the Rev. Tim Davis will officiate. A private family burial of his ashes will be at the Anchorage Municipal Cemetery.
Mr. Covich was born on Nov. 24, 1917, to John and Sophie Covich in Chicago, where he also was raised. After graduating from St. Paul Bible College in 1939, he visited Alaska under the auspices of the Slavic Gospel Association, returning to Port Graham the following year with his bride, Ella D. Hyink, to start a nondenominational church. He ministered in Chignik, then in Kenai, where he built the Kenai Bible Church in the early 1950s. He also ministered at Lazy Mountain Children's Home from 1955 to 1973 in Cold Bay and finally in Anchorage, where he distributed Russian Bibles for the Slavic Gospel Association.
Mr. Covich also served as a chaplain at the Alaska Native Services Hospital and the Alaska Native Medial Center until his illness in November 2000.
"Since the 1970s, and owing to his fluency in the Russian language, he was privileged to interpret numerous times for visiting Russians and to serve as interpreter for Christian groups visiting the Russian Far East, as well, " his family said.
Mr. Covich enjoyed participating in fellowship at the Chapel by the Sea, where he and his wife attended for many years, and his interests included traveling, watching Chicago Cubs baseball games, and spending time with friends and family.
Mr. Covich is survived by his wife, Ella D. 'Eldy' Covich; son and daughter-in-law, David and Susan Covich; daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Jim Anderson; grandchildren Sara, John and Laura Covich and Paula Sundwall and her husband, Jason; great-grandsons Tanner and Cole; brother, Michael; and sisters Mary Uldrych and Olga Struchen.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
