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JOY BENNETT
Longtime Alaskan Joy Bennett, 76, died at her home in Wasilla on Dec. 29, 2004.
There will be a celebration of life memorial at 1 p.m. Saturday, at Willow Chapel, with Dale Sandstrom officiating. A potluck will follow the services. She has been cremated and there will be a private family service to be held at a later date. Please send flower donations to the chapel, located at Mile 69.5 Parks Hwy.
Ms. Bennett was born Aug. 10, 1928, in Irwin, Idaho. She and her family moved to Alaska shortly afterward. She grew up in Juneau, married and moved to Texas.
A few years later, she came back to Alaska with her two children, later moving in with her father in Anchorage and then up to a homestead in Willow. She was a cook and waitress for many years before retirement, when she moved in with her daughter and her family in the Valley.
Her family wrote, "She was a Christian and believed in God. She loved to be with her family and friends. She also played the violin in younger years and sang with her sisters and brothers at the local community hall."
She was preceded in death by her sister, Bebe Graham.
She is survived by her son, Jay, and daughter-in-law, Ruth; daughter, Carolyn, and son-in-law, Larry; grandchildren, Jay Jr. and his wife, Carrie and her husband, Danny and his wife, Ernest, Lisa and her daughter and Danny and Janene with their children; siblings, Anita Delaney, Ernest (Jr.) Daniels, Danny Daniels and many nieces and nephews, great-grandchildren and extended family and friends.
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.
HANK RUST
Longtime Anchorage resident and aviator Henry B. (Hank) Rust passed away Dec. 26, 2004, at home surrounded by family, from complications related to progressive supranuclear palsy.
A celebration of life will be held at the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum in Anchorage, at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
Mr. Rust was a product of the Great Depression. He considered the love of hard work both a necessity and a virtue. As a senior in high school, he and two buddies pooled their savings and purchased an airplane.
Once airborne, he was freed from the economic hardship of his early life and was fortunate enough to work his entire life doing what he loved. Mr. Rust shared his love of aviation with his children.
In 1963, he started Rust's Flying Service at Lake Hood, with a single Piper Super Cub. He became well-known in later years as the "hands-on" owner of a diversified operation of 17 aircraft.
His two sons and daughters-in-law, Todd and Suzanne Rust and Colin and Gail Rust; daughter, Megan Rust, and grandchildren, Jonathan, Anna Christine and Lauren Rust, survive him. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
JAMES EDWIN NICHOLSON
James Edwin Nicholson, 73, died Dec. 25, 2004, at Valley Hospital in Palmer. No service will be held.
Mr. Nicholson was born Oct. 4, 1931, in Conway Springs, Kan. He was in the U.S. Navy and served in the Korean War for 31/2 years. He retired with a Purple Heart.
He began his Alaska residency in August 2000 and has lived in Wasilla since then.
In past years, he worked in upholstery and auto body businesses and the restaurant industry. His most recent and biggest accomplishment was selling mobile homes in Carson City, Nev.
He retired in Dayton, Nev., in 1986.
His loved ones wrote, "James was an artist, who loved to paint. He loved the outdoors, camping and hunting especially. He left us with many great memories. His friends in Nevada would agree that he was a generous person. He opened his door to anyone, very caring. He was a longtime trainer and breeder of dogs, and enjoyed falconry. He also loved to exchange recipes, for the love of cooking. He will be greatly missed and will always be in our hearts."
He is survived by his daughter, Leslie Nicholson of Alaska; granddaughter, Sierra Hawthorne of Alaska; grandson, Dylan Hawthorne of Alaska; Mike and Debbie Ebenkamp in Kansas with three children and Jimmy and Debbie Ohl in Nevada with two children.
His family requests that any memorial donations please be sent to Leslie Nicholson, HC02 Box 7826-M, Palmer, AK 99645. His ashes will be scattered over the Nevada desert in the future. Arrangements were made by Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.
ELLAMAE POHLE
EllaMae Price Pohle, 87, of Palmer, died at Valley Hospital on Dec. 29, 2004. A memorial service will be held for her in the Palmer Seventh-day Adventist Church at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 29. Her final resting place will be by her husband in Winchester, Va.
Mrs. Pohle was born in Stanley, Va., on Sept. 18, 1917, to Samuel and Annie Price. She married Clifton Hubert Pohle in 1939, and they enjoyed more than 60 years together.
They resided in Takoma Park, Md., where Mrs. Pohle had a home day-care center and Mr. Pohle had a roofing business. She was active in both community and church activities.
After retiring to Winchester, Va., she volunteered regularly in the Lord Fairfax Food Bank and the Winchester Seventh-day Adventist Community Service Center. She was an excellent seamstress and cook and was known for her hospitality.
After suffering a massive stroke in 1999, she and her husband moved to Palmer to live with their only child, Gloria Hensel, and her husband, John. She enjoyed her weekly outing to the Palmer Adult Day Center and found great joy in her grandchildren and great-granddaughter.
Her family wrote, "EllaMae's love for her family and friends was steadfast throughout her life. Her greatest joy was in helping others."
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Gloria and John Hensel of Palmer; grandchildren, Greg, Brian, and Alicia Hensel and great-granddaughter, Lanca.
Mrs. Pohle was preceded in death by her husband, Clifton; sisters, Thelma Duvall and Alma Goode and her three brothers, Howard, Paul and Alfred Price.
Arrangements were made by Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.
GABRIEL SQUIRE
Lifelong Alaska resident Gabriel Squire (Egure), 19, died Dec. 24, 2004, at his home in Anchorage. A visitation will be held at 11 a.m. today, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, 3900 Wisconsin St., Anchorage, with a service following at noon. Father Vincent Blancho will officiate.
Mr. Squire was born June 13, 1985 in Anchorage. He was working at a local school as a teacher's aide.
His family wrote, "He was a quiet, loving, caring and giving person who also loved animals very much. He will be greatly missed by everyone in his life."
Mr. Squire is survived by his mother and stepfather, Martha and Brian Squire; father, Alfredo Egure; brother, William Squire; sisters, Laura Vasquez, Angela Egure, Sarah Watts, Krista Squire, Savannah Squire and numerous other extended family members.
Arrangements were made by Kehl's Forest Lawn Mortuary and Crematory.
WILLIAM "WILD BILL" NELSON
Wasilla resident William "Wild Bill" Nelson, 67, died Dec. 25, 2004, at an assisted living home in Wasilla.
A memorial service and celebration of his life was held at 7 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church of Wasilla. His surviving children asked those attending to bring a written story and any copies of pictures of their father so a scrapbook can be compiled.
Mr. Nelson was born Jan. 6, 1937, in Palmer, and spent his lifetime in the Mat-Su.
His family wrote, "Wild Bill was one of the most charismatic and colorful personalities of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. In addition to building several of the establishments and roads in the Valley, he also had been a bush pilot, inventor, miner, businessman and choir director at Carrs of Wasilla. He had a unique way of expressing his opinions, which added to his charm. Always the flirt, his warm greetings, grin and laugh lit up any room. Some would call him a legend in his own right. He was adored by his friends and considered them family. His generosity and compassion were well-known and he contributed many hours to make sure no person went hungry."
He is survived by his children, Verlie Michelle Nelson, John Travis Nelson, Valerie Cox, Jason Nelson, Samuel Moses Nelson and Michael Nelson and a grandchild, Zachary.
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory.
JOY ANN NAUMANN
Palmer resident Joy Ann Naumann, 68, died Dec. 25, 2004, at Tranquility Home in Palmer.
A visitation is scheduled for 11 a.m. today, with services at noon, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Palmer Chapel, 560 W. Arctic Ave., with Garth Grover officiating. Burial will immediately follow in Palmer Pioneer Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Art, Eddie and Karl Naumann and Bill Rosenlof.
Mrs. Naumann was born Oct. 11, 1936, in Wales, Utah. She moved to Alaska in July 1965. She lived in Kodiak from 1965-73, Anchorage from 1973-85, North Birchwood from 1985-91, and moved to Palmer in 1991.
She was employed with the Kodiak School District and Anchorage School District, JC Penney and the Anchorage Pioneers' Home. She retired from the Anchorage Pioneers' Home in 1986.
She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed embroidery, watching old Western movies, going for drives and the company of her dog, Roger.
Her family wrote, "Mom was one of the kindest people you could ever meet. She was a hard worker who was always willing to help others and was very generous. She will be sorely missed."
Mrs. Naumann is survived by her husband, Ed Naumann of Palmer; sons, Bill Rosenlof, Art Naumann, Eddie Naumann and Karl Naumann; daughter, Maria Naumann, all of Anchorage, and eight grandchildren.
Arrangements were made by Kehl's Forest Lawn Mortuary.
JACK H. MILLS
Jack H. Mills, 65, of Big Lake, died of cancer at the home of friends on Dec. 29, 2005.
Mr. Mills was born Feb. 7, 1939, in Granite Falls, Minn. He moved to Alaska in 1993. After losing all his belongings in the 1996 Miller's Reach Fire, he started from scratch and rebuilt his home, mostly by himself.
Mr. Mills had retired from Ford Motor Co. prior to moving to Alaska. He worked as a handyman, doing carpentry, drywall, plumbing, painting and other jobs for people he came to know. His friendly manner and quick smile made friends with many of those with whom he dealt.
Survivors include two sons and two daughters in Minnesota and a multitude of friends and acquaintances throughout the Mat-Su.
As Mr. Mills requested, he will be cremated and his ashes spread. He also requested that, in lieu of flowers, a donation be made on his behalf to the Children's Hospital at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.
JOYCE CAROL (OGDEN) HERRIN
Palmer resident Joyce Herrin, 80, died of cancer Dec. 19, 2005, at the Palmer Pioneers' Home.
She requested no services. Her ashes will be scattered in the mountains of Alaska and Montana.
Mrs. Herrin was born June 27, 1924, in Elgin, Ill., to Gerald and Jessie (Stone) Ogden.
She graduated from Elgin High in 1942 and married Dennis Franklin Herrin, on Nov. 24, 1944, in Washington.
She followed him from coast to coast during World War II and made homes in Rhode Island, Illinois, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Montana, Texas, Washington and Arizona, first coming to Alaska in 1967.
She lived in North Kenai and Eagle River, finally building her first home near Palmer in 1978, after her husband promised to "stick it out and retire" from the Alaska Railroad.
Mrs. Herrin was timekeeper, secretary and life member of Aurora and Montana Creek Dog Mushers and served in many capacities for Houston's Mid-Valley Seniors.
She loved big band music and played the organ well. Mrs. Herrin was a drum majorette, band captain and played string bass in a dance band. An avid painter, she loved to paint landscapes of Alaska and states she lived in or traveled through.
Her family wrote, "Joyce was a class act and proper lady. Honesty and virtue were her guides. She displayed wisdom, fortitude and strength. She loved travel, bouncing a trailer, camper or motor home over the Alcan and across the continent. She was happy just for the moment, content for no other reason than to just be."
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Gary Johnson of Washington; son, Patrick, of Washington; son and daughter-in-law, Craig and Sheila (McNamara) of Montana; daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Richard Young of Arizona; son and daughter-in-law, Rodney and Cathy (Van Valkinburgh) of Wasilla; brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Jody (Grandle) Ogden of Illinois; brother-in-law and sister, Robert and Gloria (Ogden) Wendt of Illinois; sister, Josephine (Ogden) Lanoue of Texas; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Herrin was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis, in 1998 and her son, Dennis Jr., in 1976.
Perry Johnson
Perry Bruce Johnson, 88, died March 25, 2008, at his home in Wasilla.
A memorial service is set for 11 a.m. March 29 at the Wasilla Bible Church, 1651 W. Nicola Ave. Pastor Jim Eller will officiate. Burial will take place at 11 a.m. March 31 at Ft. Richardson National Cemetery with military honors.
Johnson was born July 9, 1919, in Dickens, Iowa. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore., on June 6, 1954, and his Master of Science in school administration from Utah State University in June 1957.
He served in the U.S. Navy from April 6, 1938, to Aug. 2, 1945, receiving his honorable discharge as chief petty officer (master at arms) and the Purple Heart for Injuries suffered in the Japanese sinking of the USS Quincy at Guadal Canal on Aug. 9, 1942.
Johnson came to Alaska in 1969 with his wife, the former Edna Margaret Clisset, whom he married Oct. 4, 1942, living in Homer from June 1969 to June 1970 and then Wasilla until his death.
He worked as a teacher in Antioch, Calif., in 1954, a teaching principal in Hilt, Calif., from 1955 to 1956, elementary school principal in Finn Rock, Ore., from 1957 to 1963, IED superintendent in Coquille from 1963 to 1965 in Klamath Falls, Ore., superintendent of Klamath Falls Co. School District from 1965 to 1968, vocational director of Grants Pass, Ore., in 1968, area director of Homer School District in 1969, elementary principal in Wasilla in 1970, assistant superintendent at the Mat-Su Borough School District from 1970 to 1979, and he worked at Dusty’s Restaurant from 1979 to 1986. Johnson retired from the Mat-Su Borough School District in 1979 and was a member of the Wasilla First Baptist Church and Wasilla Bible Church.
“Our father, Perry B. Johnson, dedicated his life to educating children and was committed to living a life based on Christian values, ” his family wrote. “He was a man of integrity who impacted the lives of others with his honesty and truthfulness. He genuinely cared about his family, students, teachers and parents. Dad leaves a legacy of love and laughter filled with rich memories. We have been blessed beyond measure to have him as our father and offer this tribute to a great man.”
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Edna, of Wasilla; daughter, Nancy Johnson-Lynch of Tumwater, Wash.; son, Wayne Johnson of Albany, Ore.; daughter, Joyce McPherson of Ellensburg, Wash.; sons, Kirk Johnson of Klamath Falls, Ore., and Todd and Kevin Johnson, both of Wasilla; 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Percy Johnson, and sister, Val Griggs.
Valley Funeral Homes and Crematory of Wasilla and Palmer is assisting the family.
