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Robert Charles Smith
Nikiski resident Robert Charles Smith died Sunday, July 6, 2003, at his home in Nikiski. He was 62.
No local services are planned at this time.
Mr. Smith was born March 3, 1941, and was raised in Michigan. He moved to Alaska in 1990, residing in Nikiski. He had worked various jobs throughout the area and most recently as a hydro ax driver before retiring.
He was an avid fisherman, fishing around the Seward and Homer area. He also was a very competitive Nintendo player and an avid gardener.
"He loved people and was very social. He was a devoted father, grandfather and brother. He was deeply loved and will always be remembered and missed by all who knew him, " his family said.
Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Vivian Smith, and brothers, David and Edward Smith.
He is survived by his daughters, Michiah Whitman and husband Joe, Roberta Smith and husband Adam, and Sarah Smith; grandsons, Samuel and Julian Whitman; sisters, Mary Ann Roza, Dorothy Doty and husband, Robert, Martha Kemter and husband, Robert; brother, Joseph Smith and his wife Georgeiann; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the family at 5550 Coldwater Rd., Remus, MI 49340.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Beatrice E. Bradford
Soldotna resident Beatrice E. "Bea" Bradford died Thursday, July 10, 2003, at Heritage Place in Soldotna. She was 84.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai. Nathan Morrison will speak at the service. Burial will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Fort Richardson National Cemetery in Anchorage.
Mrs. Bradford was born Dec. 6, 1918, in Pharr, Texas. After high school, she received her registered nurses' training in San Antonio, Texas, graduating in 1940. She served in the U.S. Army Nurses Corp., where she was a second lieutenant. She was a registered nurse working in Heidelberg, Germany; Albuquerque, N.M.; Spokane, Wash.; and from August 1962 to July 1966 lived at Fort Richardson and was a registered nurse at Elmendorf Air Force Base. She then returned to New Mexico with her husband and worked as a nurse there until shortly after he retired. They then moved to California, living in San Diego and Salinas. She and her husband returned to Soldotna on May 29, 1989.
Mrs. Bradford was a member of the Funny River Road Church of Christ in Soldotna. She also enjoyed sewing, hiking, reading and flower gardening.
Mrs. Bradford is survived by her husband of more than 60 years, Don Bradford of Soldotna; sons, Don C. Bradford, Jr. of Anchorage, Doss C. Bradford of Eugene, Ore., and David C. Bradford of Salinas, Calif.; daughters, Darlene C. Steddum of Santa Maria, Calif. and Debbie C. Donaldson of Tillamook, Ore.; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a sister, Florine Dietz of Mission, Texas.
Arrangements were handled by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
M. Katherine (Conner-Prince-Drake) Kribs
Former Soldotna resident M. Katherine (Conner-Prince-Drake) Kribs of Anchorage died Sunday, July 20, 2003, in Anchorage. She was 57.
A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Alaska Square and Round Dance Center, 432 E. Harvard Ave. in Anchorage.
Arrangements are pending with Evergreen Memorial Chapel.
Virginia 'Ginny' Ann Iverson
Sterling resident Virginia "Ginny" Ann Iverson died of pancreatic cancer Friday, July 11, 2003, at home with her family and friends at her bedside. She was 68.
Memorial services will be held at the Sterling Senior Center at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16. An additional service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at Kehl's Forest Lawn Memorial Chapel, 11621 Old Seward Highway in Anchorage.
Mrs. Iverson was born April 14, 1935, in Mound, Minn., to Blanche Marie and Bert Bruhn. The family traveled extensively and lived in New Foundland, Canada and Alaska before settling in Anchorage in 1947. She attended the only high school in Anchorage in the early 1950s before starting her career as a secretary, accountant and manager. She began by working for the District Engineers at Elmendorf Air Force Base, and subsequently worked at the Federal Credit Union, the State Credit Union, Craig Taylor Equipment, All Seasons Equipment, the Municipality of Anchorage and CC Skidoo in Eagle River before retiring in 1995. While at Craig Taylor Equipment, she was the secretary and chief cheerleader for the Blizzard Skidoo Racing Team. She gained many friends throughout the Alaska Bush as she helped people in remote villages find just the right part for their snowmachines by interpreting rough drawings and scribbled notes that arrived by mail.
Mrs. Iverson moved to her beloved family homestead near Sterling following the death of her second husband, Harold Iverson, in 1996. At that time, she also became an active member of the Sterling Senior Center.
Mrs. Iverson's hobbies included gardening and crafts of many kinds, but she was especially skilled at making flower arrangements and decorations for weddings and other special occasions. Many of her crafts were commonly on display at the senior center. The old homestead became the center of her life and her family's gathering place where she enjoyed gardening, spending time with her grandchildren and watching the wildlife.
Mrs. Iverson is survived by her first husband, Pic Pickens; their four children, Lora Burgamy, Gary Pickens, Sharon Brown and her husband, Kevin, and Gregg Pickens and wife, Wendi, all of Anchorage; grandchildren Scott, Jenna and Kate Lee, Michael, Kevin and Emily Burgamy and Thornne Pickens; brother, Ronald Bruhn and his wife, Sandra, of Salt Lake City; niece, Heather Tomasi and husband, John, of Salt Lake City; and nephew Christopher of Salt Lake City. She also is survived by special friend and companion, Ron Gibbens of Sterling, and longtime friend Phyliss Jimerson of Sweet Home, Ore.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sterling Senior Center Endowment Fund, care of the Sterling Senior Center, P.O. Box 154, Sterling, AK 99672.
Arrangments were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Taieesha Katrina Stamer
Lifelong Nikiski resident Taieesha Katrina Stamer died Saturday, July 19, 2003. She was 23.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai on Thursday, July 24. A memorial mass will be held at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church at 7 p.m. Friday, July 25. Father Frank Reitter will officiate.
Miss Stamer was born Dec. 12, 1979, in Soldotna. While attending high school in Nikiski, she was a star cross country and track runner. She also was a basketball cheerleader for three years and a member of the cross country ski team. After graduating from Nikiski Middle-Senior High School in 1998, she attended college at Hawaii Pacific University for one year. Miss Stamer continued her education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, for three years, pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology.
Her adventurous nature took her sky diving in Australia, scuba diving in Hawaii and hiking and horseback riding in the Las Vegas deserts. Her summer and fall seasons were spent at Uyak Bay Lodge in Larsen Bay, Kodiak, where she was the head cook for the past three years. There, she became extremely close to the Aga family, owners of the lodge. Miss Stamer experienced getting her first buck, catching halibut, salmon, octopus, crab and visiting the brown bears in the village. She most recently enjoyed time in California at a Filipino family reunion.
"She enjoyed hunting and fishing in Alaska and loved the excitement of travel, meeting new people and seeing new places. She was always so friendly and was loved so much by everyone who met her, " her family said.
"Taieesha will live in our hearts and memories forever. She will always be remembered with a smile and as the happy fun-loving girl we all knew and loved. She was a beloved daughter, sister and friend to all. Taieesha will be terribly missed by her family."
Miss Stamer is survived by parents, Robert and Celestina Stamer; siblings, Ericksen, Tatiana and Katrina; uncle and aunt, Richard and Ludy Link, and their children Adam, Matthew and Peter, all of Soldotna.
Donations may be made to a memorial fund in Miss Stamer's name at First National Bank, account No. 70218524. For more information, call Debbie Falk at 776-5737.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Aune Marie (Mattson) Kuukari
Kenai resident Aune Marie (Mattson) Kuukari died Friday, Aug. 15, 2003, at Nicholson's Assisted Living Center in Kenai as her nephew, James, read and sang to her. She was 93.
A celebration of her life will be at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, at Nicholson's Assisted Living in Kenai. Graveside services and inurnment will be held at the Lakeside Cemetery in Biwabik, Minn., in late August.
Mrs. Kuukari was born Aug. 10, 1910, in Biwabik to Paul and Matilda Mattson. On Aug. 10 of this year, she celebrated her 93rd birthday with a party hosted by her family and the staff and residents of Nicholson's. She enjoyed the party and company.
Mrs. Kuukari was a 1928 graduate of Biwabik High School and a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Virginia, Minn. She loved yellow, blue and pink lilies of the valley, lilacs, music, coffee, Snicker bars and most of all her friends and family. A talented homemaker, she could pack a picnic, keep a house and hang the wash out on a summer day in a manner that was truly a form of art.
Mrs. Kuukari was preceded in death by her beloved husbands, Toivo Oila and Eino Kuukari; her brothers, a sister, uncles, aunts, cousins and friends; and her son, Ronald Oila.
She is survived by her many friends, including those at Nicholson's and the Forget-Me-Not Care Center; granddaughter, Jacqueline Michels and her husband, Ken; great-grandchildren, Patrick, Alex, Jeanene, Jacob and Krista; nephews, Marvin Maki and his wife, Irene, Tom Mattson and James Mattson; niece, Mary Eileisar; and a wide extended family.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages people to consider spending some time with an elder friend, relative or neighbor.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Mabel Galley
Soldotna area resident Mabel Galley died Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003, at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna. She was 80.
A private family service is planned.
Mrs. Galley was born June 13, 1923, in Windsor, Colo. She was a homemaker. She moved to Alaska in 1975, residing in Soldotna.
"She will be missed by all of her family and friends, " her family said.
Mrs. Galley is survived by her husband, Jake Galley of Soldotna; sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Pat Galley of Fairbanks and Jerry and Kitty Galley of Soldotna; grandchildren, Ted Galley and his family of Fairbanks, Jake Galley of Phoenix, Richard Galley and his family of Kenai, Amy Baxter and her family of Kansas City, Mo.; and a sister, Alice Davenport and her family of Greeley, Colo.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
David Newton Henry
Soldotna resident David Newton Henry died Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003, at his home in Soldotna with family and friends present after a short battle with cancer. He was 67.
There will be a time to remember Mr. Henry at 11 a.m. today at the Ministry of Living Stones Church in Sterling. Burial and a military funeral and honor guard will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Fort Richardson National Cemetery in Anchorage.
Mr. Henry was born Feb. 18, 1936, in New Mexico. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1965, stationed in Germany. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.
Mr. Henry made his home in California until he moved to Soldotna in 1989.
"He loved to make people laugh, always telling jokes and funny limericks. Music was his passion. He loved to have all his kids singing with him, and we loved it, too, " said his daughters, Donna and Brenda.
"My father was and always will be a great man. His small frame encompassed a huge heart. Without fail he could turn life's heartaches to laughter and put them to song. Those who knew him, knew he was a man of few words and sharp wit. I hope he knows how much I appreciate all that he has passed on to me. He will be greatly missed, but certainly never forgotten, " said his son, Mark.
Mr. Henry is survived by sisters, Judy and Lavon of California; brother, Delbert of California; daughters, Linda Henry of Modesto, Calif., Brenda Foster of Hickman, Calif., and Donna Beard of Waterford, Calif.; sons, David Henry of Oakdale, Calif., and Mark Henry of Cheyenne, Wyo.; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and lifelong friend, Betty Jo Goodrich of Soldotna.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Betty Jo Goodrich, 291 Sunrise Court, Soldotna, AK 99669.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Margaret Vivian Wolfe
Nikiski resident Margaret Vivian Wolfe died Thursday, Oct. 12, 2000, at her home after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 76.
Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday at her daughter Bonita Quale's home, 47710 Interlake Drive in Nikiski. Her remains will be scattered at Turnagain Arm at a later date.
Mrs. Wolfe was born Sept. 16, 1924, in North Bend, Wash., where she was raised and educated. In 1984, she moved to Nikiski where she worked hard raising her large family. Mrs. Wolfe had retired formally when she moved to Alaska, but she continued work outside of the home in the food service industry and later began working in property management. She enjoyed collecting angels of all shapes and sizes, listening to country music played by her son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Donna Jean, and playing bingo, especially when she won, according to her family.
"Mama was a strong and true partner to Dad for 48 years. She raised us firmly and knew the importance of adding humor especially in the difficult times. God saw you getting tired when a cure was not to be, so He closed His arms around you and whispered, 'come to me.' You didn't deserve what you went through and so He gave you rest. God's garden must be beautiful, He only takes the best. And when I saw you sleeping so peaceful and free from pain, I could not wish you back to suffer that again, " the family wrote.
Mrs. Wolfe is survived by her husband of 48 years, John Wolfe, of Nikiski; sons and daughters-in-law Lonnie and Sharon Osborne, of Portland, Ore., Jack and Shirley Osborne, of Portland, Ore., and John Jr. and Melanie Wolfe, of Nikiski; daughter, Darlene Nealey, of Chesaw, Wash.; daughters and sons-in-law Bonita and Carl Quale, of Nikiski and Glenna and Billy Moore; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice of the Central Peninsula, 35477 Kenai Spur Highway, Suite 214, Soldotna, AK, 99669.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Walter Steciw
Anchor Point resident Walter Steciw died at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003, at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. He was 77.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at St. John's Catholic Church in Homer. A gathering to share memories will be held after the service.
Mr. Steciw was born Aug. 28, 1926, in Northampton, Pa., to the late John and Ksenia Steciw. He graduated from Northampton High School. Shortly thereafter he joined the U.S. Army and also served in the Air Force during World War II and the Korean War.
After his service in the military, Mr. Steciw moved to Alaska and worked as a hydraulic mechanic at Elmendorf Air Force Base in 1956. He retired from Elmendorf in 1973 and moved his family to Anchor Point, where he built his own home and continued working as a school bus driver and custodian at Chapman Elementary School until 1978.
Mr. Steciw enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He was a foster parent and an active member of the Anchor Point Chapel and the VFW.
"He will be remembered for his positive attitude, cheerfulness and singing. He loved to sing in the mornings. Walter was proud of his grandchildren and their accomplishments. He loved them very much, " his family said.
He is survived by his daughter, Bettyann Steciw, and her husband, Stephen Johnson, of Anchor Point; grandchildren, Cory and Fawna Johnson; sisters, Mary Kereb of Northampton and Anna Kochenash of Quakertown, Pa.; and brother, Stephen of Northampton and his wife, Mary Martnik, of Laguna Hills, Calif.
Condolences and memorial donations may be sent to P.O. Box 145, Anchor Point, AK 99556.
