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Charlotte Lavina 'Grams' Murdoch
Longtime Alaska resident Charlotte Lavina "Grams" Murdoch died at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna on Thursday, March 27, 2003, after a brief battle with cancer. She was 80.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. at the Moose Lodge in Anchorage on Sunday, April 13, and in Soldotna at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at VFW Post No. 10046.
Mrs. Murdoch was born in Leonard, N.D., in 1923. She was raised on a farm and later taught school in a nearby, one-room schoolhouse before moving to Renton, Wash., where she worked for Boeing.
She married Jimmy Murdoch in Renton in 1946. They moved to Alaska in 1949, where he continued his coal mining career in the Jonesville mine in Sutton, while she worked on a nearby potato farm. They later moved to Anchorage, where Mr. Murdoch died in 1992.
Mrs. Murdoch moved to Soldotna in 1998. She was diagnosed with cancer in December and endured her illness largely at home while carrying out her daily routine of cooking and crosswords.
"Known as 'Grams' to family and friends, she is dearly remembered for her kind heart and unconditional love and support of family and friends, " her family said.
She is preceded in death by husband, Craig James "Jimmy" Murdoch, daughter, Claudia Jean Alcock, and sisters, Marcy Unsderfer and Harriet Grandgard.
Mrs. Murdoch is survived by a daughter, Colleen H. Asuchak; son, John R. Murdoch and wife, Pamela; sister, Phyllis Braaten; and grandchildren, Joe Asuchak Jr., Rosalie Driscoll, Craig Asuchak, Angela Asuchak, Daniel Asuchak, Tara Barndt and husband, James, Chad Murdoch, Rex Alcock and Laurie Alcock; granddaughter, Randi-Dawn May; and great-grandson, Adam Driscoll.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Jared Ross Galloway
Lifelong Kasilof resident Jared Ross Galloway died Tuesday, April 1, 2003, at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna. He was 23.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Soldotna. Bill Carlson will officiate at the funeral. A viewing will be from noon to 1 p.m. Monday at the church. Burial will be at Spruce Grove Memorial Park at Kasilof. Pallbearers will be Mike Hatten, Carl Hatten, Kevin Hatten, George Herr, Robert Correia and Sean Turvin.
Mr. Galloway was born Nov. 17, 1979, in Homer to Martin and Nita Galloway. He attended school at Tustumena Elementary School, Soldotna Middle School, Skyview High School and Kenai Peninsula College. He worked with his family in their karaoke business, Mic Hoggers. He also helped take care of his grandmother and niece.
Jared was baptized in the Mormon Church. He enjoyed computers, robots, karaoke, art, world events, science, chat rooms and observing people. He also was an artist, doing extraordinary drawings, and had two birds that he had trained. Most of all, he enjoyed being with his niece, India.
"There was nothing ordinary about our Jared. He was a very unique young man. His computer was one of his best friends. He was extremely intelligent and thrilled in sharing his knowledge with people around the world. He loved meeting people and was a great judge of character. He knew things upon meeting you that others would never realize. He loved to make you think, just like his father.
"He was an artist by the age of 3, drawing unbelievably, even as a toddler. His artwork was portrayed on the front of Marvel Comic books, which we thought was awesome and he thought was no big deal. Jared was our 'Gentle Giant' with a huge heart and a very deep soul. He endured a lot in his short life, without much of a complaint. He just seemed 'to know.'
"Jared loved being an uncle and was overjoyed with each niece and nephew that came along. His goal was to be remembered as the 'Greatest uncle in the world, ' and he was. In particular he had a very special relationship with his niece, India. He helped care for her since she was a baby. She was 'his baby.' Let his death be an inspiration to us all, to live, love and forgive. We love you Jared Ross, " his family said.
Jared was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Jim Galloway and C.R. Hatten.
He is survived by his parents, Martin and Nita Galloway of Kasilof; sister, Kristin Galloway of Kasilof; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Sean Turvin of Soldotna; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Stacy Correia; grandmothers, Ruth Galloway and Shirley Hatten, both of Kasilof; nieces and nephews, Clarissa, Zachary, Chance, Brighton, Caroline, Ray James, Tyrrell Jean and India; aunts and uncles, Wayne and Linda Hisashima of Hawaii, Mike and Noelle Hatten of Soldotna, Carl and Jackie Hatten of Kasilof, Kevin and Holly Hatten of Soldotna and Bruce and Lonnie Galloway of Soldotna; great-aunt and uncle, Jack and Isabelle Grossl of Soldotna; an honorary aunt and uncle, George and Linda Herr; and numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family members.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Jared Galloway Memorial Fund at any Wells Fargo Bank, account number 9821115533.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Thelma L. Isaacs
Longtime Alaska resident Thelma L. Isaacs died Wednesday, April 2, 2003, at Providence Hospital in Anchorage with her family at her side. She was 89.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at 2 p.m. on today, April 6, at the Anchorage Funeral Home, 1800 Dare Ave.
Mrs. Isaacs was born Jan. 21, 1914, in Dill, Okla. She grew up in Drumright Okla., and later married Daniel E. Isaacs in Guthrie Okla., in 1941. They were married for more than 62 years. After World War II, they moved to Richland Wash., where they lived until the spring of 1967 when they moved to Kenai. In 1970, they moved to Anchorage where they resided until her passing.
Mrs. Isaacs often visited with her children and grandchildren in Kenai and enjoyed spending her summers in Cooper Landing, Deep Creek, Ninilchik and Chisik Island, where she accompanied her husband on many fishing trips. She loved people and traveling. She especially enjoyed going to Arizona in the winter and having many visits with family, friends and neighbors while there.
"She will be remembered as a very caring, loving and kind-hearted person. She always offered an invitation for all to 'stick around for dinner.' Thelma will be remembered by everyone who knew her for her great cooking and especially for her famous and delicious cinnamon rolls. Sometimes it would be said at fish camp that 'we didn't catch many fish today, but Thelma sure fed us well, '" her family said.
In April 2000 she was diagnosed with kidney failure due to diabetes. During the following three years she was attended to on a constant basis by her husband in their Anchorage home.
Mrs. Isaacs was preceded in death by her father, Melvin P. Ratliff; her mother, F. Kate Ratliff; baby daughter, Sandra Kay Isaacs; sister, Ruby Mae Ratliff; and brother, Raymond Ratliff.
She is survived by her husband, Daniel E. Isaacs; daughter, Sharon and her husband, John Williams; son, Ronald and wife, Deneice Isaacs; grandchildren, Kippy and husband, Orlando Mena, John Michael and wife, Amy Williams, Debbie and husband, David Harris, Donna Williams and Lynsey, Shawn and Danyel Isaacs; great-grandchildren, Marcus and Morgan Mena, Tyler, Kelsey and Ryan Williams and Duncan and Derrek Harris; sister, Erma O'Hare; brother-in-law, Norris Isaacs; sisters-in-law, Genevieve Prinster, Avis Richter and Margarett Swanson; and numerous nieces, nephews and special friends.
Arrangements were made by Anchorage Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
Raye Marie Mullin
Kasilof resident Raye Marie Mullin died Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna after a long battle with cancer. She was 70.
Private services will be held.
Mrs. Mullin was born Oct., 19, 1932, in Jasper, Texas, the daughter of Roi and Ruby Blake. On March 11, 1950, she married M.L. "Moon" Mullin in Texas. She was a bookkeeper and managed the family business.
Mrs. Mullin was a member of the Baha'i Faith
She was preceded in death by both parents.
She is survived by her husband, M.L."Moon" Mullin; children, Roy Mullin, Doneva Baker and Mickey Mullin; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The American Cancer Society-Central Peninsula Unit, P.O. Box 2165, Kenai, AK 99611.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Marcia M. Turpin
Soldotna resident Marcia M. Turpin died Tuesday, April 1, 2003, at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna. She was 81.
At her request, no services are planned.
Mrs. Turpin was born July 18, 1921, in Grants Pass, Ore. She graduated from high school and attended college at the Oregon State College in Corvallis, Ore.
She and her husband moved to Soldotna in 1978. She was a housewife and Baptist.
Mrs. Turpin enjoyed playing bridge, knitting and canning.
"She was a wonderful wife and mother, " her husband said.
Mrs. Turpin was preceded in death by her son, Terry Turpin.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 62 years, Wayne Turpin; son, Dwayne Turpin of Oakhurst, Calif.; brothers, Charles Manning of Tacoma, Wash., and James Manning of Oregon; daughter-in-law, Yvonne Turpin of Medford, Ore.; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Elsa Louise Pedersen
Sterling resident Elsa Louise Pedersen died Sunday, Nov. 25, 2001, at her home in Sterling. She was 86.
At Mrs. Pedersen's request, no services are planned. Her ashes will be scattered on the westward facing slope of the Kenai Mountains south of Skilak Lake.
Mrs. Pedersen was born May 15, 1915, and reared in Salt Lake City. Elsa (Kienitz) Pedersen moved to Ketchikan in 1943, where she worked as a secretary to Emery F. Tobin, editor and publisher of the Alaska Sportsman, now Alaska Magazine.
In 1944, she homesteaded at Bear Cove, at the head of Kachemak Bay, 15 miles east of Homer. She has lived on the Kenai Peninsula since that time. In the 1950s and '60s she worked in the fisheries industry in Seldovia, as a secretary and bookkeeper.
A free-lance writer for more than 40 years, she wrote 13 books for young people, including "Cook Inlet Decision, " "Alaska Harvest" and "House Upon A Rock."
She also was the author of many articles published in national and Alaska magazines. She was a frequent contributor to the Anchorage Daily News, "We Alaskans" section and a staff writer for the "Senior Voice." Her newest book, "Kachemak Bay Years, " will be out before Christmas.
She married Walter Pedersen in 1972 and moved to Sterling, where she lived happily for the rest of her life. She and her husband edited, published and partially wrote "A Small History of the Western Kenai" and "A Larger History of the Kenai Peninsula."
She is survived by her stepdaughter, Kathleen Pedersen-Haley; son-in-law, John M. Haley; two nieces; a nephew; and good friends Susan and Dave Gilbertson.
Mrs. Pedersen was preceded in death by her husband; brother, William A. Kienitz of Utah; and a sister, Edith Mercer of California.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Providence House, 3200 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Dennis James Pittmann
Anchorage resident Dennis James Pittmann died Thursday, May 22, 2003, at his home following a heart attack. He was 55.
A funeral service was held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Grandview Baptist Church with Pastor Randy Graham officiating. Honorary pallbearers were Martin Pittmann, Allen Swartzbacker, Donald Pittmann and Stephen Pittmann. A memorial celebration of life service was held in Yakima, Wash., at the same time.
Mr. Pittmann was born Nov. 23, 1947, in Yakima. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1968 to 1979. In January of 1975 he moved to Alaska and he began working at the Elmendorf Power Plant in 1980, retiring in 2000. He worked for Alaska USA Federal Credit Union from 2000 to 2003.
He had lived in Anchorage and Eagle River, and in 2000 began to split his time between Anchorage and Soldotna, on Funny River Road.
Mr. Pittmann was a member of the Eagle River Baptist Church and Grandview Baptist Church.
He enjoyed halibut and salmon fishing, clamming, hunting and working with wood.
"Dennis was a loving, caring person, husband and father. He enjoyed working with his hands. He had a way to make you laugh through the rough spots. He enjoyed the out of doors by hunting, fishing and camping. He has left a hole in our hearts as big as his rough, calloused hands that held you so gently. After his service, he will be cremated and his ashes spread over San Juan Bay at Montague Island and down the Kenai River. Dennis was proud of his country and stood up for his country and the president of the United States of America, " his family wrote.
He is survived by his wife, Katherine Pittmann of Anchorage; son, Michael Pittmann of Ketchikan; daughter, Annette Hanson of Wasilla; parents, Leighton and Jean Pittmann of Spokane, Wash.; sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Bob Quick of Vancouver, Wash.; twin brother, Donald Pittmann and wife, Sandy, of San Jose, Calif.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Martin and Cathy Pittmann of Mesa, Ariz., and Stephen and Val Pittmann of Santa Cruz, Calif.; sister, Louise Fendrich of Spokane; four grandchildren of Wasilla and two in Michigan; and various other aunts, uncles, cousins and large extended family.
The family suggests memorial donations be directed to Funny River Emergency Services, P.O. Box 3557, Soldotna, AK 99669. The phone number is (907) 262-1837.
Arrangements were made by Evergreen Memorial Chapel.
John J. Nohava
Soldotna resident John J. Nohava died Friday, May 16, 2003, at his home in Soldotna. He was 87.
Graveside services will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Omaha, Neb., where he will be laid to rest next to his wife, Lucille.
Mr. Nohava was born May 3, 1916, in Nebraska. As a teenager, he took a train to Hollywood to become an actor and made his way into two movies. He served his country during World War II, stationed in the Aleutian Islands. He later worked as a carpenter.
"He loved to tinker in his garage while listening to polka music. He was a man with a beautiful smile and a twinkle in his eye for all that knew and loved him. He carried a special place in his heart for all the children in his life. Three wonderful women took care of him, daughters, Terri Woodward and Mikey Nohava and granddaughter, Mindi Woodward. He will be dearly missed and never forgotten by all those who loved him, " his family said.
Mr. Nohava was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille.
His is survived by his daughters, Terri Woodward and her husband, Tim, of Soldotna, Mikey Nohava of Soldotna, Patty Thrush and her husband, Richard, and Jackie Rody and her husband, Terry; son, Johnny Nohava and his wife, Betty, of Iowa; brother, Chuck Nohava and his wife, Loretta, of Nebraska; grandchildren, Scott Woodward and his wife Mindi, David Woodward, Michael and Angie Woodward, and Kelly Johnson and her husband, Nathan, all of Soldotna; 13 other grandchildren who live out of state; and 25 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
