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HELEN V. SIEWERT
Longtime Anchorage resident Helen V. Siewert, 76, died Jan. 24, 2000, of heart failure at the home of her son in Wasilla. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 31, 2000, at St. Marks Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3230 Lake Otis Parkway, in Anchorage.
A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. A celebration of life will take place immediately after the service at the VFW Post 9981, 9191 Old Seward Highway.
Mrs. Siewert was born to John and Alma (Bjorni) Mehtala on Oct. 31, 1923, in Oulu, Wis. She grew up around Oulu and Waino, later moving to Superior, Wis. She married Neil M. Lavin of Iron River, Wis., in 1942. In January 1952, Helen, her husband, brother-in-law, and two children drove the Alcan Highway to Anchorage.
In 1968 she married Warren O. Siewert. She worked at the Fourth Avenue branch of Alaska Cleaners through the 1960s and 1970s before transferring to their office and retiring after 30 years of service.
She was past president and honorary life member of the American Legion, Spenard Post 23, a member of the Women of the Moose and a member of the VFW Post 9981. She enjoyed visiting with her friends, children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed crocheting, crossword puzzles and reading.
According to her family, Helen left a legacy of pride in family, of staying in close contact and sharing burdens. She is leaving a major hole in the lives of all of her friends and family. Those of us who talked to her every day will miss her dearly.
Mrs. Siewert is survived by her husband, Warren O. Siewert, of Anchorage; daughter and son-in-law, Ginny and Rusty Robson, of Trapper Creek; sons and daughters-in-law, Ned and Julia Lavin, of Wasilla and Mike and Susan Lavin, of Anchorage; grandchildren, Kati and Kerry Sanders, Todd and Elanor Carpenter, of Wasilla, Rachel Faralan, of Eagle River, Tracy Lavin, of Arizona, Samantha Lavin, of New Mexico, Julie Lavin, of Anchorage, and Waylon Olsen, Renaye and Trevor Lavin, of Wasilla.
She is also survived by her brothers, Raymond Mehtala, of Superior, Wis. and John Mehtala, of Sun Prairie, Wis., and sister, Irene McEvilly, of Madison, Wis. In addition, she is survived by two great-grandchildren.
Her parents, two brothers, two sisters and one grandchild preceded her in death.
Arrangements for the family were made by Kehls Palmer Mortuary.
GERALDINE MAY GRANATH
Longtime Valley resident Geraldine May Granath, 69, died at Valley Hospital in Palmer on Jan. 25, 2000. A memorial service for Ms. Granath will be held Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Michaels Catholic Church, 432 E. Fireweed, Palmer. The Rev. Leo Desso will officiate.
Ms. Granath was born on Nov. 2, 1930, in Blackwell, Wis., to Frank and Evelyn (Glinsky) Johnson.
She came to Alaska in 1952 to stay with her sister, Myrtle Bouwens. She began working at Wrights Soda Fountain. From 1960-1976 she worked as a teller for Matanuska Valley Bank. She then worked at the Matanuska Valley Credit Union until 1993. In 1993, she started working for First National Bank of Anchorage in Palmer and stayed there until her retirement in 1997.
She volunteered at the Palmer Pioneers Home on Tuesdays for bingo. She enjoyed crossword and jigsaw puzzles.
According to her family, The oldest of 12 brothers and sisters, Geraldine learned how to laugh, enjoy life and be a giving person. She had a spark of adventure. Before moving to Alaska she took flying lessons, but changed her mind when it came to soloing. After moving to Alaska she met and married Walter Granath, known as Cowboy. They had two children, Bill and Phil. For a few years they homesteaded 80 acres at the end of Fishhook, where they built their own log home. Being from Wisconsin, she loved to entertain and cook for everyone. She also loved to travel. She had been to Hong Kong, Ireland, England and Scotland. She adored her grandchildren.
Ms. Granath is survived by her sons, Bill and Phil Granath; grandchildren, Duane, Tracy and Derrick, all of Palmer; brothers and sisters, Kenneth, Eunice, Eileen, Frank, Beverly, Rita, Susan, Darlene, Sharon, Laverne, and Robert, all of Wisconsin, and brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Billie Granath, of Kenai. She is also survived by her close friends, Chris and Jay Holmberg, of Palmer, and many nieces and nephews and friends.
Arrangements for the family were made by Kehls Palmer Mortuary.
RICHARD EDWARD DUBOIS
Longtime Matanuska Valley resident Richard Edward DuBois peacefully passed away Jan. 3, 2000, following a battle with cancer. At the time of his death Richard was visiting family in Austin, Texas.
Always on some adventure, Richard was currently on a journey to see cousins, his sister and each of his children.
Born Nov. 3, 1937, in St. Paul, Minn., Richard grew up in Rock Elm, Wis., moving to California in 1950 and later graduating from Redondo Union High School. Early career experiences ranged from drafting engineer to building race cars to cosmetology to commercial painting.
In 1973, love for adventure brought him to Alaska. He fell in love with the character of the land as well as the people. He had mostly lived in the Palmer, Butte and Knik River Road areas.
In Alaska Richard had belonged to Painters Union Local #1140. Working throughout the state, he was able to visit several remote villages, the North Slope and Aleutian Chain, and had many stories to share.
Richard owned and operated the Glass Factory, located for a number of years in Palmers Valley Hotel, where he created stained glass art. Additional entrepreneur experiences included air boat tours, cabin rentals and other tourism-based businesses. Richard loved sharing the feeling of Alaska with others.
His family said: Richard had a great sense of humor, a vast sense of adventure and enormous distaste for sitting still. Adventures included flying a glider, riding in a stunt plane, driving race cars, Harley and dirt bikes, river rafting and air boating. During his visit in Austin, Richard mentioned he wanted to go hang-gliding. Heaven must be full of adventure, otherwise Richard would still be with us.
Richard was also a compassionate and caring person, never hesitating to share money, time, hugs or a joke with a friend in need. Many longtime friends share memories to smile about.
Richard was preceded in death by his mother, Katheryn; stepfather, Howard Caldwell, and brother Pat Kelly.
Richard is survived by his sister, Patsy Stillwagon and nephew, Curtis, of San Clemente, Calif.; daughter, Ren DuBois, of Castaic, Calif.; son, Chris DuBois, and grandchildren, Cody and Tara, of Canyon Creek, Calif.; daughter, Brigette Cricket DuBois and grandchildren, Shawna and Adam, of Lake of the Woods, Calif.; daughter Dawson Simone Carroll, son-in-law, Jeff, and grandson, Jacob, of Austin, Texas; his very close friend Christina Anthony, of Anchorage, as well as many others who will miss him greatly.
A potluck celebration of life will be held in Richards honor at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at Delrois Bar, Mile 39.5 Old Glenn Hwy., in the Butte. All those who knew him are invited to bring photos, stories and memories to share.
Please send memorial cards in care of Dawson Simone Carroll, 7212 Sir Gawain, Austin, Texas 78745.
EMMETTA MARIE CORBIN
Wasilla resident Emmetta Marie Corbin, 61, died Jan. 25, 2000, at home, from cancer.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1201 Bogard Road, in Wasilla, with Chaplain Harleen Pino, of Providence Alaska Medical Center, officiating. A graveside service will follow at the Wasilla Aurora Cemetery, conducted by the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Pallbearers will be Richard Caywood, Louis Caywood, Bud Corbin, Tod Corbin, Mark Corbin and Robert Hausser.
Mrs. Corbin was born May 4, 1938, in Saratoga, Wyo. She came to Alaska in 1951 and graduated from Palmer High School in 1956. She had resided in Wasilla since 1974.
She was a homemaker, employed in banking and at the Wasilla Senior Center. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wasilla, a 25-year VFW Ladies Auxiliary member, and a member of Wasilla Amvets. Her special interests were family first, then creating stained-glass work, reading and community service.
Her family said: To Emmetta (Mom) family always came first, closely followed by her love and concern for others. Over the years she completed many hours of volunteer service with the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Wasilla Senior Center, Wasilla Veterans Center, and the Amvets.
Survivors are her loving husband of 42 years and primary care giver, Gene A. Corbin; children and spouses, Lelani and Dean Roy, Gene V. Bud and Susan Corbin, Theresa and Kevin Bohlmann, Tod Corbin, Mark and Julie Corbin; brothers and spouses, Richard and Kathy Caywood and Louis and Roberta Caywood, and Chesley McGriff; 13 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives, including special care givers Roberta Caywood, nieces Janice Kraft, Joan Johnson, Dee Dee Custer, and friend, Zane Jones.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Mat-Su, 3051 East Palmer-Wasilla Highway, Wasilla, AK 99654.
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory of Wasilla.
CLINTON C. CENTER
Wasilla resident Clinton Calvin Cal Center, 74, died Jan. 22, 2000, at Valley Hospital in Palmer, following a lengthy illness.
An informal gathering of friends will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Palmer Elks Lodge on Bogard Road. Those attending are asked to bring a story to share. Mr. Centers ashes will be scattered over Crosswinds Lake this summer.
Mr. Center was born Oct. 9, 1925, in Deadwood, S.D., the son of Clinton Chester and Mary Jane Center. He attended schools in Puyallup, Wash., and received his GED while in the military. He continued his education by taking many college classes throughout his life.
Cal served in the Navy as a radio operator, and in the Army as a medic. He was stationed in Munich, Germany, when he met and married Eva Maiwald in 1954.
He came to Alaska in 1958, and retired to the Wasilla area in 1988 after living and working in numerous places in Alaska. He was a railroad worker, salesman, fisherman, fish spotter, generator operator in Cape Lisbourne, guide and outfitter, founder of Crosswinds STOL, bush pilot, and innovator of many aircraft designs. He received a governors commendation for his role in Alaska aviation.
His hobbies and special interests were art, being an animal lover, a mechanical tinkerer, and a lightweight boxer in the military.
His family said: He wasnt perfect, but he had a heart as big as Alaska. If anyone needed help all they had to do was ask. He loved challenges and had many in his life. He loved to spend time with his grandkids and enjoyed his Sunday morning breakfasts and cribbage games.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Oran, Roy, Bill, and Kenny; and sisters, Jackie and Marylynn.
Survivors are his family, Charles Center and Cheryl Weare, Kay and Mary Omer, Rod and Margaret Hanson, and John and Nina Shaw; grandchildren, Shanna, Jud, and Shane Omer, Kristen and Ricky Hanson, Sierra and Lily Shaw; brothers, Bud of California and Clinton Joseph of Anchorage; sister, Darlene Christensen of Washington; and numerous friends throughout Alaska.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Salvation Army, 209 W. Evergreen Ave., Palmer, AK 99645; Wasilla Senior Center, 1301 Century Circle, Wasilla, AK 99654, or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory of Wasilla.
ROSE MARIE RYHERD
Wasilla resident Rose Marie Ryherd, 52, died Jan. 17, 2000, at her home, of natural causes.
A memorial service was held Jan. 21 at the Wasilla Assembly of God Church.
Mrs. Ryherd was born Oct. 7, 1947, in Salt Lake City to Leno and Margaret Mary (Defa) Galassi. She graduated from Groveland High School in Groveland, Fla., in 1966. She moved to Alaska in 1996 and resided in Wasilla.
From 1992 to 1996 she worked as a shift supervisor for Wendys Restaurant in Clermont, Fla., and from 1997 to 1999 she worked at the Perfect Cup in Wasilla.
She attended Assembly of God churches, and her hobbies and special interests were quilting, crocheting, fishing and reading.
Her family wrote: Rose Marie was a quiet, strong individual who raised her children on her own until she met the love of her life six years ago. She enjoyed sitting and talking for hours about life. Her joy was raising her son, Jeff, with the help of her husband, James Michael. She enjoyed crafts and arts, walking in the beauty that is Alaska, and being wife, mother and friend to all who knew her. She served her savior Jesus Christ with quiet devotion. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Survivors are her husband, James Michael Ryherd; son, Jeffrey Alan Moore, of Wasilla; daughter, Jenna R. Moore, of Tennessee; mother, Margaret Mary Galassi; sister and brother-in-law, Renae and Ron Varnadol; brother and sister-in-law, Dennis and Maxine Galassi; grandsons, Colby and Zachary Smartt, and many loving in-laws and extended family.
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory of Wasilla.
JOHN PROVOLT KING
Alaska pioneer John Provolt King, 81, died Jan. 17, 2000, at his home in Palmer.
A memorial Mass was held for John at Saint Michaels Catholic Church, 423 East Fireweed, Palmer, on Jan. 24. The Rev. Leo Desso officiated.
John was born in Brainerd, Minn., on Aug. 5, 1918, to Kent and Clara (Provolt) King.
He came to Alaska with his parents and sister in 1932, and homesteaded first in an area now known as Kings Lake and later in Hope. After the death of his father in 1939, John returned to Seattle to be with his mother.
John married Lucille Vinecore on Sept. 11, 1945; three days later they were on a steamship headed for Alaska. John and Lucille lived in Seward briefly before moving to Palmer.
In 1946 John and his late cousin, Clyde King, began Palmer Concrete Products, which they operated until 1949. John and his late mother, Clara King, owned and operated Claras Variety from 1948 until 1955.
In 1951 John and Lucille moved to the Butte area, where they made their home for the next 49 years. John was a hardworking, resourceful and inventive man. Over the years he farmed, raised horses, delivered milk for the Alaska Dairy, did carpentry and worked as pilebuck.
He retired from the Piledrivers Local 2520 in 1981. John and Lucille started Mammas Wood Yard in 1964, which they operated for 30 years. John designed and built a wood machine that pulled the logs into the machine, cut and split the wood to size and loaded it into the truck. That machine did everything but stack the wood and deliver it.
John and Lucille were active members of the Saint Michaels Parish in Palmer and enjoyed church activities.
After retiring John and Lucille traveled to Germany, France, Belgium and Denmark, and cruised to the Caribbean, Panama Canal and Mexico. They traveled to several areas of the United States, including several trips to Hawaii, and enjoyed short visits to Arizona during the winter months.
His family said: Since John was 18 years old, he wanted children. Family was important to him; there wasnt another family that possessed more love. John will be greatly missed.
John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lucille; children, Sandi Allen, of Palmer, Susan and Terry Beal, of Eagle River, Evelyn and Greg Ochoa, of Wasilla, Ellen and Melton Jones, of Palmer, Kathy and Rick Harrington, of Palmer, Kent and Anne King, of Wasilla and Laura and Tom Shones, of Palmer. John had 18 eighteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild; his sister and brother-in-law, Louise and Lyle Saxton, of Yuma, Ariz.; cousin, June Liebing, of Palmer, and several nieces and nephews in Washington, Oregon and California also survive him.
Arrangements were made by Kehls Palmer Mortuary.
CAROLINE BELL
Wasilla resident Caroline Bell, 49, died at her home Jan. 17, 2000. A funeral service will be held today at Kehls Palmer Mortuary Chapel, 209 S. Alaska St., Palmer. A visitation was held Jan. 24. Pastor Jerry Pinkerton, of the Big Lake Baptist Church, will officiate at the funeral.
Ms. Bell was born Dec. 23, 1950, in San Mateo, Calif., to James L. and Crosby French. She graduated from high school in San Bruno, Calif. After moving to Alaska she attended Mat-Su Community College.
She moved to Alaska in 1971, to be near her mother. Later she met and married Elmo Bell. They had two children, Shawna and ShoShannon.
According to her family: Caroline was very outgoing and loved music and enjoyed singing her favorite songs with her youngest daughter. She was fascinated with Native American culture. Both of her daughters are part Indian and she would encourage them to learn about their culture and be proud of their heritage. Those who love her will always remember her, and their memories will keep her alive long after she is gone.
Ms. Bell is survived by her daughter, Shawna Bell and fianc, Jeremiah J. Degeer Jr., of Anchorage; daughter ShoShannon Bell, of the Matanuska Valley; mother, Cosby Hopkinson, of Big Lake; father, James L. French, of Arizona, and her brothers, Frederick and James L. French Jr., of Wyoming. She is also survived by her former husband, Elmo Bell, and his children, Maryann Garcia and Dakota Bell, all of Alaska. In addition she is survived by Garret Osborn, whom she considered a son, Richard Price, Frank Jones and many others.
Arrangements for the family were made by Kehls Palmer Mortuary.
