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DONALD L. LA ROSE
Palmer resident Mr. Donald Larrian La Rose, 75, died at home of lung cancer Nov. 26, 2003, with his wife and daughter by his side.
A memorial service will be held at the Gospel Outreach Church today at 1 p.m., with Pastor Mike Curtis officiating. Inurnment will be at 11 a.m. at Ft. Richardson National Cemetery.
Mr. La Rose was born April 10, 1928, in Phillips, Wisc.
He went to school through the 8th grade and "was self-taught in everything, " his family said.
He moved to Alaska in 1935. He lived in Palmer and Anchorage. He was one of the Wisconsin colonists who settled the Matanuska Valley.
Mr. La Rose worked as a dishwasher from 1942 to 1945. He co-owned a gas station in Palmer from 1946 to 1947. From 1947 to 1949 he was in the Navy stationed in San Diego, Calif., on the U.S.S. Besboro and the U.S.S. Boxer. He did aerial mapping in Kodiak and Nome. He also worked on the Alaska Railroad as a section foreman from Fairbanks to Seward from 1951 to 1979. In 1964, he was the foreman requested to repair the Portage, Potters Section House and Turnagain Arm sections of the Alaska Railroad.
In the 1940s he filed for 88 acres of homestead property in the Clark-Wolverine area. He built a cabin by April Creek, 12 miles out of Palmer.
Mr. La Rose was recipient of the World War II Victory Medal, the Philippines Independence Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal.
His interests included photography, music, fishing, swimming, playing the harmonica, accordion and Casio and pitching horseshoes.
His family said, "His determination was a remarkable trait. He took apart electronics, computers, and radios and repaired them. He took pride in everything he did. He was a very active person. He kept busy all the time. Everything he owns was kept in excellent condition."
Mr. La Rose was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Clystia La Rose.
He is survived by his wife Florence La Rose; daughter Norma Jean Wilson; brothers and sisters-in-law Gary and Rosemary La Rose of Palmer, Floyd and Marjorie La Rose of Anchorage; sister Virginia Maleski of Wrangell; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles in Wisconsin, Montana, Minnesota, California and Alaska.
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.
GERALD E. POIRIER
Palmer resident Mr. Gerald Edwin Poirier, 71, died at Valley Hospital in Palmer on Nov. 27, 2003.
A funeral service will be held at Valley Funeral Home Chapel, 151 E. Herning Avenue in Wasilla at 11 a.m. Saturday. Lou Hoffman will officiate.
Interment will be at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Mr. Poirier's sons and family.
Mr. Poirier was born Sept. 3, 1932, in Greenfield, Mass.
He moved to Alaska in July 1964, residing in Seward until 1965. He lived in Anchorage from 1965 to 1993, and then he moved to Palmer where he lived at the time of his death.
Mr. Poirier was a "Jack of all tradesa" in various industries such as livestock farming, metal recycling and sales.
His hobbies included fishing, models, gardening and woodworking.
His family wrote, "He was hard working, kind and will be deeply missed."
His sons, Wayne and Paul Poirier, preceded Mr. Poirier in death.
His wife Wanda Poirier; sons Daniel, Kriss, Mike, Jerry Jr., and Joe; daughters Debbie and Donna; brothers and sisters and many grandchildren and great grandchildren in the Lower 48 states survive him.
Memorial donations may be sent to the family at P.O. Box 1811 Palmer, AK 99645
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla.
JAMES (ROY) BRUNER
Longtime Alaska resident James (Roy) Bruner, 77, died Friday, Oct. 24, 2003, at Providence Extended Care Center, of lung cancer.
Mr. Bruner was born Sept. 8, 1926, in Graceville, Fla., and was raised in Dothan, Ala. Mr. Bruner moved to Alaska in 1953. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 11, and served on the E Board. He was secretary of the Fairbanks Eagles Lodge.
Mr. Bruner was a lifetime accomplished musician and made a living playing music. He performed with artists such as Willie Nelson, Little Jimmy Dickens, Hank Snow and Tex Ritter, and many more. He had the first live music TV show in Anchorage in 1956 known as the Chic Adam's Trio. After playing music he held several other occupations, his last working at the J.H. Car Wash in Morton, Ill.
His family wrote, "Roy was a devoted husband and father. He became a noble grandfather and great-grandfather as well. He will be remembered and missed."
His grandchildren wrote, "Grandpa was not only a grandfather and father to his grandkids, but also the greatest source of inspiration and creativity in our lives. He had much wisdom and love to share and will be remembered as a legend by his family."
Mr. Bruner was preceded in death by his son-in-law Mac McSorley. He is survived by his longtime partner and wife of 52 years, Ann Bruner; daughter and son-in-law Norma and Dale Schramm of Anchorage; son and daughter-in-law Steve and Brandy Bruner of Fairbanks; grandchildren Sunny McSorley of Seattle, Phil and Theresa McSorley of Wasilla, and Lynann McSorley of Big Lake; great-grandchildren Harley and Harmony McSorley of Wasilla; brother Harvey Bruner of Georgia; and sisters Lillian Virkstis of Michigan and Margaret Locha of Texas.
Arrangements were made by Anchorage Funeral Home and Crematory.
JESSICA CHRISTINE CARR
Lifelong Alaska resident, Jessica Christine Carr, 21 died Oct. 25, 2003, in Sutton.
A service was held on Thursday in Sutton at the Chickaloon Health Building at 2 p.m., with a Potlatch that followed. Burial will take place at the Chickaloon Indian Cemetery.
Ms. Carr was born Sept. 27, 1982, in Nome to Daniel Carr and Christina Farley. She graduated from Mat-Su Correspondence School in 2001 and was currently enrolled at Mat-Su College for Early Childhood Development. She was to pursue a career in child psychology.
She lived in Golovin for her first three years of life, and she lived in Nome from 1985 to 1989, moving to California, then to Anchorage. Her main residence was in Sutton. Ms. Carr was employed at Elmer's Pancake House for 2 1/2 years, and was currently employed at Chickaloon Village as a day care intern.
She was preceded in death by her cousin Sondra Carr. She is survived by her fiancee Charles Chinnis Jr.; her son Charles Chinnis III; parents Daniel Carr and Christina Farley; Charles Sr. and Colleen Chinnis; sisters Marie Ann Carr; grandparents Lee and Ruth Warren; Howard and Julie Farley, Daniel Sr. and Linda Carr; uncles Richard and Nancy Carr; Steven and Bev Carr, Ken and Lisa Farley, Jeff Farley Sr., Howard Farley Jr., Harvey Farley; aunts Laura Carr, Beth and Steve Moffett, Linda Matherne, Jessie and Michael Campbell, Marian Farley, Melissa and Kraig King; many cousins, extended family and friends.
Her family wrote, "Jessica lived a full life in her 21 years. She was sincere about everything in her life and will never be forgotten. She is the sunshine in our eyes and left a beautiful ray of sunshine, her son, Charles "Chuckle" III."
In lieu of flowers, monetary donations maybe made to Alaska USA Credit Union, Charles Chinnis Jr. Memorial Fund, account no. 841237.
Arrangements were made by Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.
KEVIN KELLEY
Wasilla resident Kevin Kelley, 12, died at his home Oct. 26, 2003.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. at Valley Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Henry Guinotte will officiate.
Kevin was born Jan. 5, 1991, in Tonasket, Wash.
He was a student at Meadow Lakes Elementary School.
Kevin enjoyed playing with his family. He enjoyed art and Pokeman.
His family wrote, "He was a very special young boy who loved his family and was loved dearly. He will be missed by us all." The family also said, "everyone is welcome to attend this service."
Kevin is survived by his father Richard Carl Kelley; mother Mary Etta Yoder; sister Kelley Kelley; brother Richard Kelley; uncle Bill Kelley; grandparents Roy and Jennie Chelf; and many cousins and friends who loved him and will miss him.
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla.
BARBARA LEE THOMAS
Wasilla resident Barbara Lee "Bobbie Lee" Thomas, died at her home of heart failure Oct. 15, 2003.
A funeral service was held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Valley Funeral Home Chapel. Interment followed at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery. Pastor Sam Starky officiated. Pallbearers were David Buckwalter, Chris Powell, Archie McNevan and Vernon Powell.
Mrs. Thomas was born Dec. 28, 1949, in Anchorage.
She spent most of her childhood in Anchorage. She also lived in Phoenix, Ariz., but returned to Alaska, residing in Wasilla.
She was educated in Anchorage.
Although Mrs. Thomas was disabled early on in life with rheumatoid arthritis, she was a successful homemaker and mother.
She enjoyed swimming.
Her family wrote, "From her childhood until her passing, even in great pain she still had a twinkle in her eye and a warm smile for all. She will never be forgotten by those of us who loved her."
Mrs. Thomas was preceded in death by her mother Barbara Thomas.
She is survived by her father Curtis R. Thomas of Palmer; brother Tim Thomas of Palmer; daughters Teressa Smith of Phoenix, and Danielle Thomas of Palmer; son Curtis Randall Warsnipp of Phoenix; grandchildren Sydney, Andrea and Myranda. She is also survived by many cousins, aunts and uncles.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be sent to Teen Challenge, P.O. Box 4281, Palmer, AK 99645 or to any organization to help teens.
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.
ANITA FAYE MAYS
Willow resident Anita Faye Mays, 39, died after an auto accident near Trapper Creek Oct. 20, 2003.
A memorial service will be held at Big Lake Baptist Church Monday at noon. Pastor Jerry Pinkerton will officiate. A celebration of her life and luncheon will be held after the service.
Ms. Mays was born Sept. 14, 1964, in Atwood, Kan., to Dean and Marita Mays. She was the youngest of 10 children.
She graduated high school in Leota, Kan.
She moved to Alaska in 1990 and resided in the Valley.
Ms. Mays worked as a hostess, bartender and bookkeeper for the Big Su Lodge in Talkeetna.
She loved nature and her hobbies included dog mushing, making crafts, collecting plants, hunting, fishing, praising God, singing and cooking. Her dreams were to someday move home to Kansas and live out her days with her family.
Her family wrote, "She was a great and very loving woman. She touched everyone she met and could put a smile on anyone's face."
Ms. Mays was preceded in death by her brother Darryl Mays.
She is survived by her sons Kenneth William Clark III, Murphy Rankin, James "Jo" Owen Rankin, and Paul Dwayne Rankin; daughter Elizabeth LeeAnn Clark and granddaughter Sierra Sky Clark; parents Dean and Marita Mays of Leota, Kan.; brothers Dick Mays, Roland Mays, Jon Mays, Pat Mays, and Rod Mays; sisters Barbara June Mckay, Doris Langdon and Rose Atchley; 35 nephews and nieces, 31 great nephews and nieces and five great-great nephews and nieces.
Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.
