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Frederick Lyall Lambing
Frederick Lyall Lambing, 60, died Oct. 24, 2010, peacefully with his family by his side after an eight-year battle with prostrate cancer. A memorial service is at 10 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010, at Wasilla Bible Church, with burial to follow at Fort Richardson National Cemetery. Attendees are asked to gather at 2 p.m. at Fort Richardson’s main gate.
Fred was born June 26, 1950, to Elenor Joy and James (Jim) Lambing. He graduated from Douglas High School in 1968. In the fall of 1968 Fred began college at Calvary Bible College where he met his future wife. He enlisted in the Air Force in January 1970 and was married to Marie Ingalls at Prairie Home Church, Mud Butte, South Dakota on Aug. 18, 1971.
Fred was stationed at Misawa Air Base, Japan in January 1972, where his son Shane was born in November. After 18 months in Japan, Fred was stationed to Altus Air Force Base, Okla., where he welcomed a beautiful daughter, Carrie in May 1974. Fred left the Air Force in May 1976. In July of 1976, his son Wade was born in Sioux City, Iowa. In February of 1978, another beautiful daughter, Misty was born in Wichita, Kan.
After working beside his father, Jim for a time, Fred moved his wife and family to Idaho Falls, Idaho and enlisted in the Idaho Army National Guard in the fall of 1978. June 1993 brought another move, this time to Wasilla.
While serving in the Alaska Army National Guard full-time, Fred worked as an instructor at the Alaska Military Academy, readiness NCO for 297th support BN and Intelligence Sgt. for 207th Group. In 1997 Fred was named as the Alaska Senior NCO of the Year. Fred retired on June 1, 2007, after 33 years of military service. After retirement he spent most of the next three years traveling with his wife, visiting family. He especially enjoyed visiting his children and grandchildren and wood working. Fred was totally devoted to his family, his friends, his country, and his God.
His family says “We will miss his strong leadership, his loving kind heart and his warm welcoming smile.”
He is survived by his wife, Marie; son, Shane Lambing (Kristi) of Portland, Ore.; daughter, Carrie Lambing of Wasilla; son, Wade Lambing (Annadeidra) of Wasilla; daughter Misty Neisen (Peter) of Boise, Idaho; mother, Joy Lambing of ElDorado, Kan.; and father in-law and mother in-law, Hugh and Eleanor Ingalls of Mud Butte, S.D.; two sisters, Cynthia Ketcham (Phil) of Brazil, South America, and Sandra Borne (Rodney) of ElDorado, Kan.; and, grandchildren Kelli, Kyrstin, Elizabeth, Daniel, Joseph, Katherine, Ashton, Dakota, Seth.
Arrangements by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.
Teresa J. Buher
Palmer resident Teresa J. Buher, 85, died in her sleep Feb. 7, 2011.
A memorial service has yet to be scheduled at the Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer. She will be buried this summer at Fort Richardson National Cemetery alongside her husband.
Teresa was born March 10, 1925, in Shafter, Calif., and later moved to Wasco, where she was raised on a dairy farm. She earned an associate’s degree in education from Bakersfield Bible College just before entering the armed forces. She served in the U.S. Army from June 1949 to October 1952 as a medical tech reaching the rank of sergeant during the Korean War.
She met the love of her life and was married in San Francisco on March 4, 1955. As the wife of a sailor, she traveled to many places, settling in Oak Harbor, Wash., where her husband retired from the Navy. They moved to Ketchikan in 1977 and to Eagle River in 1985. She resided at the Chugach Senior Center until 2006. From 2006 until her death, she lived at Providence Extended Care, Anchorage Pioneers’ Home and Palmer Veterans and Pioneers Home.
She loved being around family and friends, attending church, discussing Bible prophecy and Christ’s return. She liked taking walks on beaches and having cheeseburgers with her two sons while they lived on Whidbey Island. She loved to garden and can vegetables, and made world-class crunchy sweet pickles. Red hats were one of her favorite fashions and colors to wear. When visiting her, she would always have to give you something whether it was food, books or clothes, just so you didn’t leave empty handed. She was thrilled to receive gifts and to spend time with her grandchildren. She was an amazing woman and mother and will be missed by her sons and family.
She had a deep admiration for all those in uniform and for their service to her country. She often spent Memorial Day remembering the fallen and loved to sit and talk with military men and women. She was a member of the VFW posts in Ketchikan and Eagle River, and the American Legion in Chugiak.
A few days before she passed away, she got to see her family gather around and read passages from the Bible, tell stories and talk about heaven.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Allen and Kathi Buher; son, James Buher; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and sister, Anne Broesma and family in California.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Harold Buher, and her parents.
Arrangements were by Kehl’s Funeral Home in Palmer.
G. DENNIS HANES
Geoffery Dennis Hanes, 53, died peacefully Aug. 29, 2010, in his home in Big Lake after less than a year of fighting cancer.
Dennis was born in Anchorage on April 23, 1957. His family homesteaded the end of Klatt Road.
He was an A&P mechanic specializing in sheet metal fabrication. He was considered an artist by his peers and received aircraft parts from all over the world to repair.
Dennis owned and operated his own business, Bush Aircraft Repair, for more 20 years with Nina Hanes, his wife and partner of 18 years.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and 7-year-old son. He is survived by his three daughters, Amanda, 20, Summer, 17 and Heather, 15. He is also survived by three sisters, Ramona Sines of Anchorage, Byra Ford and Mary Bell of Hawaii.
His family said Dennis was very proud of his girls and loved spending time with them. His home was always open to the local kids. He enjoyed the sound of a full house.
Services for Dennis will be held at Alaskan Heritage Funeral Home on Sept. 10 at 3 p.m., followed by private graveside services.
Beverly J. Gurtler
Wasilla resident Beverly J. Gurtler, 76 — wife mother, grandmother, teacher and citizen of the world — died Sunday, March 20, 2011, with her family near her at her home.
A celebration of Beverly’s life is at 4:30 p.m., April 9 at VFW Post 9365, 301 East Lake View Ave., Wasilla. Her family will spread her ashes near Seward.
Beverly was born Oct. 31, 1934, in Lancaster, Wisc. She grew up in Idaho and graduated in 1952 from South Freemont High School in St. Anthony, Idaho. She also attended Rick’s College where, with the help of a music scholarship and working nights as a waitress, she graduated with a Bachelor of Education in 1956. Beverly loved to travel and upon graduation traveled across the country to New York, where she boarded a ship for her first trip to Europe. She had many pen pals whom she visited and made lifelong friends. The year Alaska became a state, Bev loaded her car and drove up the Alcan Highway to Alaska, where she had been offered a teaching job in Anchorage. While there she met her husband, Ed, and they were married Aug. 5, 1960 in Twin Falls, Idaho.
After the birth of her two sons, Ed Jr. and Kresent, Bev settled with her family in the Mat-Su Valley, where she began a long and rewarding teaching career in Palmer. “Mrs. G, ” as she was known to many of her students, taught junior high physical education. She developed a drill team and several other athletic programs during her 30-plus-year teaching career. Her drill teams travelled as far as southern California to march in events like the Rose Bowl Parade. During her summer months when she wasn’t traveling to some exotic location around the world, she would teach Red Cross swimming programs to a never-ending supply of students in the local lakes and streams. She was instrumental in getting pools and swimming programs in new high schools being built in the Valley in the 1970s. She continued teaching swimming long after her retirement. She took night school and summer classes and graduated from UAA with a Master of Education in 1976.
During the lean years, Bev would hunt and fish with her family to supplement their food. She was a crack shot with rifle and pistol and never missed what she aimed at. She could ride a horse, fly a plane, drive a snowmachine and double-clutch a truck. Beverly always had a love for music and was an accomplished musician who played clarinet and saxophone with several groups over the years. During the course of her life, Bev traveled to every continent except Antarctica. She had friends in many countries. She travelled to learn and to teach. She loved archeology and spent several months over the years on archeological digs in many countries. Upon her retirement she joined the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, where she became a valued member and earned many awards and citations. She could always be found at boat launches around the state in the summer doing volunteer safety inspections on all sizes and types of boats.
Beverly cared for children all over the world. During her lifetime, she had many children she supported to adulthood through organizations like Christians Children’s Fund and later Child Fund International. Upon her death she still had three children in different areas of the world she supported and cared for. Bev loved animals and could always be found with a trusted dog (or two) by her side. During her life, any who met her would have realized she was a force to be reckoned with, always vibrant and feisty, not afraid to speak her mind, but a loving and caring person until the end of her life. She could always be counted on to be there for anyone lucky enough to call her “friend.”
Beverly was preceded in death by her only sister, Denise Anderson. She is survived by her husband, Ed Gurtler Sr.; sons, Ed Gurtler Jr. and Kresent Gurtler; granddaughter, Livia Marie; nieces, Julie Anderson and Carol Woodvine; nephew, Roger Anderson; and several other relatives.
In lieu of flowers, Beverly wished donations to be made to Child Fund International, the ASPCA or your local animal shelter.
The family was cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory, Wasilla.
JAMES BARNES
James Paul Barnes, 31, died Aug. 2, 2008 at his Wasilla home after a long battle with ALS.
A funeral service was held Aug. 10 at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel, 1015 S. Check Street, Wasilla.
Barnes was born June 21, 1977 in Palmer. He was raised mostly in Willow, and worked in Fairbanks and Wasilla. He was a longtime employee of Fairbanks Natural Gas. He was also a carpenter’s apprentice and an all-around fix-it guy.
Barnes’ hobbies and special interests included hunting, fishing, camping — everything outdoors — fast cars, mechanics, artistry, cooking, family, barbecues with friends and talking on the phone.
His family wrote, “He was loving, caring and willing to help anyone in need. He was a loving father and friend to many. He lived life to the fullest and always had a story or two.”
Barnes is survived by his mother, Sylvia Jacobs of Willow; brothers, Douglas Barnes of Palmer, Shane Barnes of Wasilla, Peter Jacobs of Houston, Clint Jacobs of Minnesota and Wyatt Jacobs of Wasilla; sisters, Edith Stone and Isla Jacobs of Willow; daughter, Myiah Barnes of Wasilla; son, Cyress Barnes of Wasilla; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Barnes was preceded in death by his father, James Jacobs, and grandfather, Leonard Joslin.
David Joseph Tanner
Longtime Alaska resident David Joseph (Dajo) Tanner, 78, died of natural causes Dec. 15, 2010, surrounded by loved ones at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage.
David was born July 18, 1932, in Alhambra, Calif., to Allen Oscar and Bessie Bell Tanner. He was the sixth of eight children. He spent his early years living in and around southern California and eastern Oklahoma.
David (Dajo) was very proud of his Native American heritage and as a youth attended numerous powwows and other tribal events with his family. He remained a lifelong member of the Cherokee Nation of Tahlequah, Okla.?
At a young age, David was introduced to the guitar and country music by his older brother, Bill, and quickly discovered he had a natural ability. Music became his life’s work and passion, eventually rewarding with an induction into the Western Swing Society Hall of Fame in 1999.
In spring 1949, he met the first love of his life, Jonnie Frances Philpott, in Carlsbad, N.M. They were married July 2, 1949, in Farmington, N.M. They raised nine children and were married for 36 years until Jonnie’s death in 1987.
As a young man, David held many positions in numerous jobs, mostly in the construction field. He eventually decided to dedicate his life to his music. David was nomadic by nature and traveled the southwest United States settling where the work was for a time, then moving on to different surroundings. It was this nomadic spirit that brought him to Alaska.
In summer 1967, he and his family arrived in Eagle River. He lived in and around Anchorage and the Mat-Su Borough until he died. His other interests included fishing, boating, camping, barbecues, creating Native American art and spending time with family and friends. The coffee pot was always on and all were welcome. Dave had a large, loving heart and always enjoyed the company of others.
After the death of his wife, Jonnie, he was once again blessed when he met Buradine Thiesing, who remained by his side for 20 years until his death.
Dave will be remembered with respect and admiration. He will be missed by many for his immense talent, quick wit and easy-going nature. He is survived by his life companion, Buradine Thiesing; sons, David Jr., John, Ethan, Cody and Matt; daughters, Pahleah, Shannah and Shelley; 22 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brother, Douglas; and sisters, Waunehmah Shanklin and Wanda Haughn.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Allen and Bessie; brothers, Allan and William; sisters, Georgia Alberta and Pauline; wife, Jonnie; and daughter, Debra Lynne Marshall.
Funeral services are at 11 a.m., Dec. 22 at The Crossing, 22208 North Birchwood Loop. A celebration of life follows at 3 p.m. at American Legion Post 33 in Peters Creek.
Eric Josef Zehnder
Wasilla resident Eric Josef Zehnder, 23, died from injuries in a snowmachine accident near Petersville on March 20, 2011.
A memorial service is at Wasilla’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 11 a.m., March 26 with a reception following the services.
Eric was born at Providence Hospital in Anchorage on Nov. 5, 1987, and was a lifelong resident of Wasilla. After graduating from Wasilla High School in 2006, where he lettered in football and hockey, Eric attended the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, for two years before returning home to attend University of Alaska Anchorage. Eric worked in the family businesses, Arcticorp and Arctic Self Storage, while a full-time student earning his bachelor’s degree in Business Economics.
In his spare time, Eric enjoyed many of Alaska’s wonderful outdoor activities, most frequently four-wheeling, snowmachining and fishing, especially with Kimber Velasquez, and all his other truly great, lifelong best friends from hockey and football.
“We are proud of the ethical young man that our son had become, ” the family wrote. “Eric’s happy disposition and energetic love of his family and friends was demonstrated by participating in all their activities and milestones. He enjoyed nothing more than being with his nieces, nephews and siblings. He will be dearly missed by his large family and all who knew him.”
Eric is survived by his parents Kathy and Robert Zehnder; brother and sister-in-law James and Mica Zehnder with nieces Shelby and Alexis; sister, Jennifer (Zehnder) Dumpert with niece Abigail and nephews Jacob and William; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Corinne Zehnder with nieces Sierra, McKenzie and Kimberlyn and nephews Robert and Grant; grandmother, Sally Fuller of Mesquite, Nev.; closest cousin Mandy (Fuller) Peratrovich and her husband John Peratrovich with Mina and Roy; April Harkins; uncles and aunts, Susan Janes and Nancy Zehnder of Washington, Ken and Linda Fuller, Michael and Kathryn Fuller, all of Anchorage, Mark and Brenda Fuller, Joel and Janette Fuller all of Wasilla, Robert Fuller of Mesquite, Nev.; Matthew Zehnder of Washington and numerous cousins, both in Alaska and across the country.
Preceding him in death were his grandfathers, M.C. “Skip” Fuller and Robert J. Zehnder; and grandmother, Beverly D. Zehnder.
Arrangements were by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.
Vicki L. Lefferson
Willow resident Vicki L. Lefferson, 48, died March 19, 2011, at her residence.
Memorial services are at 6 p.m., March 25 at Church on the Rock, 3571 West Machen Road in Wasilla. Pastors Gary Oathout and Feilipe Ibarra will officiate. A gathering will immediately follow the services at the church. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wasilla at a later date.
Vicki was born May 2, 1962, to James and Marilyn (Barry) Shivers in Bakersfield, Calif., where she was raised. She moved back and forth from Washington, Texas and Alaska until moving to the Valley in December 1989, where she lived ever since.
“Vicki was an amazing woman with so many qualities, but her biggest was she had a huge heart, ” her family wrote. “She loved her family and enjoyed every moment she spent with them. Her grandchildren are her pride and joy. Vicki enjoyed watching movies and relaxing. She was very outgoing, bubbly and fun. She has blessed and touched everyone in her life. She left her family with many memories and filled our hearts with happiness and enjoyment. She is so very special. Our mom, our sister, our good friend will be missed so very much. Our hearts are saddened, yet we know she is in a place where there is no more sadness, no more tears and no more worries. She is full of happiness, comfort and absolute joy. She has no more pain. Thank you, Lord, for the time we had with her.”
Vicki was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Andy Lefferson; and mother-in-law, Verna Shintaffer.
She is survived by her daughters, Brandie Klun, Candi Lefferson and Jolene Foley; brothers, Tony and Rick Shivers; sons-in-law, Aaron Klun and Shane Foley; grandchildren, Brandis and Shaelee Klun, Christian, Kaden and Cali Ewing, Holli Lefferson, Joslynn and Justice Sena, and Javin and Jace Foley; nephews, Jerrett Chambers and Ricky Shivers; nieces, Chantel Chambers, Monique and Kaylee Shivers; former husband, Leonard Lefferson; and good friend, Jerry Schiattucci.
Memorial contributions may be made in Vicki’s memory to the family C/O Brandie Klun, P.O. Box 870284, Wasilla, AK 99654.
Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home.
