Alaska Obituary and Death Notice Archive

[ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ] Alaska Obituary and Death Notice Archive GenLookups.com - Alaska Obituary and Death Notice Archive - Page 88 Posted By: GenLookups.com Date: Monday, 11 December 2017, at 5:11 p.m. Huge Marriages Search Engine! Myrtle Marie Feero Edwards, 1917-2000 Eulogy We are gathered here today to celebrate the life of a special person who touched our lives in many ways. For John, she was “Mom.” For J.R. and Jahni Marie, “Grandma.” For Margi, Karen, and families, she was “Auntie Myrt.” For Bev, “Sister-in-Law, ” and for the rest of us, “friend.” Our lives will always be richer, because we knew her. Myrtle Marie Feero was born in Skagway, Alaska, on August 20, 1917, to William and Alta Feero. She was the middle child of seven children. She had three sisters, Geneva, Wilma (Willie), Evaline (Evie), and three brothers, Bob, Bill, and John. Myrtle’s dad worked as an engineer on the White Pass Railroad prior to moving to Douglas, where he took a job as a deputy Federal Marshal. The family lived at the jail house. Myrtle’s mother cooked meals for the prisoners, and at mealtime, they all ate together with the family at a big table. After the Douglas fire, Myrtle’s mom and dad took many of the people who had lost their homes, into their home. Myrtle graduated from Douglas High School in 1935. After graduation, Myrtle worked as a telephone operator on the first telephone switchboard in Douglas. She met Orrin Edwards while in high school, and they were married in Douglas in 1938. Myrtle and Orrin had four children – Shirley, David, John and Alan. Myrtle has nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. Myrtle, Orrin, Shirley and David moved back to Skagway in 1945. Orrin worked for the White Pass Railroad, and Myrtle stayed home with her children and was the “traditional” housewife. The Edwards lived in a house at 12th and Broadway until 1958, when they purchased the house at 11th and State where Myrtle still lived. Myrtle’s home is where three generations of Skagway kids grew up. There were David and his classmates followed by the famous trio – Johnny, Mike and Stan.– their band practicing in her living room! Alan, and his friends, Ralph and Sherrie, added only a few gray hairs. How many of us would have allowed a pool table to dominate the middle of our living rooms, much less a rock n’ roll band? When these kids grew up, married and had families, Myrtle welcomed them like family. They all love her very much. Myrtle went to work at Riewe’s Market in 1965. John and Alan worked there as well. One year she managed the store while Georgina and Herb went Outside for the winter. After Orrin’s death in 1967, Myrtle had to make some big changes in her life. She learned to drive a car, and she went to work for Ed and Les Fairbanks at Fairway Market. She worked there until she retired. Myrtle was a 53-year member of The Eastern Star, Naomi Chapter #9. Connie Conard and Elma McMillen wrote the following memory that was read at Myrtle’s memorial service at the Skagway Presbyterian Church on Nov. 3. Myrtle joined Eastern Star on March 21, 1947, and was a true and faithful member. The annual activities, like the Flower Show, Christmas Bazaar, and the Rose Bush Sale always found her right there, helping with everything. She was the “Sunshine Lady” for many years. This meant that she wrote cards or phoned or visited anyone and everyone who needed a little perking up. (Note: she continued that all of her life.) “Keep smiling” was her favorite expression. Many who are present today have been on the receiving end of a “daily events” note from her. Little personal thoughts such as, “It’s raining here today and boy, did we need it!” “Today is beautiful and 45 degrees.” “We had mashed potatoes, gravy and chicken at Seniors today. M-m-m good!” She would end her letters with “Love, ME (her initials).” In Star, Myrtle held an office every one of her 53 years as a member. Most often she was Warder and she loved that position. When chapter was really in need, she would accept the job of Worthy Matron, and kept Naomi Chapter going. When it was her turn to be on lunch committee, we could count on having her famous angel food cake. Myrtle belonged to this Presbyterian Church for many, many years, joining with her husband, in 1948. She never failed to put her check into the collection plate every week. If she had to miss a Sunday because she was sick or out of town, her check would be in the next Sunday offering. She was faithful in signing up to help host the fellowship hour and often fixed pumpkin nut bread or angel food cake. Her official duties included being a Trustee, a Deacon, and an Elder. Her unofficial duties could be listed as clean-up lady and general greeter at the door. Myrtle was pleased when plans began for the improvement of the Rec. Hall, the church building, and the manse. If we could change this world to serve the church the way Myrtle served hers, it would be a much better world. We truly believe Myrtle was loved by everyone. Myrtle loved to play cards, and games, and enjoyed being with her friends. She spent many hours with Betty, Wanda, and Dirce, putting jigsaw puzzles together – often after a ride with Wanda. There were times when the puzzle would be completed minus one piece, and they always teased Myrtle about having it in her pocket. Betty and Myrtle could be seen every summer cruising the streets, with Wanda at the wheel, checking out the people coming off of the ferry or cruising through the campground. Myrtle looked forward to Senior Lunch every Friday. She also enjoyed the gatherings of the “Birthday Girls” where she shared lots of love and laughter with her friends. Myrtle loved her home, her friends, and she loved Skagway. Myrtle set an example for all of us by the way she lived her life. She lived her faith, and she loved Jesus. In February of this year, Myrtle suffered a second stroke and made the trip to Bartlett Hospital in Juneau. She was there for several weeks, and worked hard to make great improvements so that she could go home. It was not to be, as she needed full-time care. She moved to St. Ann’s Care Center, where she continued in her recovery. She made many friends of staff and patients there. This fall she suffered and survived two major episodes with her health, baffling the medical profession with her strong will. John and Margi were with her, in person, every step of the way. In her final days, John would tell her, “I’m going to hold your hand until Jesus comes. But if He should come by while I’m gone, you take His hand and go with Him.” And that is what she did at 5 a.m. Oct. 30, 2000. Myrtle is survived by her daughter Shirley Hughes of Tennessee; sons David Edwards of Massachusetts, John Edwards of Juneau and Alan Edwards of New Hampshire; sister Geneva Walters of Arizona and brother John Feero of Sterling; and nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. Oscar S. Selmer, Jr. 1918-2001 If anyone was ever meant to be the measure of a full life in Skagway, it was Oscar Selmer. With his long white beard, top hat, smile and slight wave of his hand, he welcomed anyone to sit down and shoot the breeze with him about his town. Whether you knew him for 50 years or just five minutes, you were touched by him. Oscar Selmer died at his Skagway home, Sunday, March 11 at the age of 82, holding tightly to his daughter’s hand, his favorite cat at his side, and listening to the first birds of spring. On March 14, as flags flew half-staff throughout town in his honor (by governor proclamation), more than 300 people gathered at the Skagway Community Center to say “see you later” to Oscar, the “ambassador of good-will on Broadway.” Near his homemade wooden coffin with a heart carved on the lid were a painting of an eagle in flight, his ukulele, his WP&YR thunderbird, photos of Oscar and his mother and father, and his traditional half a cup of coffee. Never in Skagway’s history has there been such an outpouring of affection for one person. For an hour and a half Skagwayans listened to his favorite songs, scriptures, sayings, prayers and many memories that could fill this newspaper. And after Oscar was laid to rest in the town cemetery, many came back to eat and tell more stories. “I want the people at my service to be happy, to laugh and enjoy themselves, ” said Oscar for the program. This town will not be quite the same without him. He was Skagway’s everyman: husband, father, musician, working man, city leader, fisherman, athlete, photographer, jokester, craftsman, town ambassador, friend to all. Oscar Siegrud Selmer, Jr. was born at the old White Pass Hospital in Skagway on November 25, 1918. He was the seventh of eight children born to Oscar and Paula Selmer, who emigrated to this area from Norway in 1905. They joined Paula’s brother, Peter Lunde, the section foreman at Bennett, B.C.. Thus began the Selmer circle of life in Skagway, measured in the beginning with a stick. Oscar was a collector and one of the most cherished items in his “ar-chives” was a piece of wood passed down to him by his sister, Virginia. A waitress at Bennett, Virginia one summer day decided to hike to the top of “Tickletoe Mountain” behind the railroad eating house with some co-workers. The date was Aug. 25, 1929. While scrounging for some wood for a fire to warm some coffee, she picked up what appeared to be an old shovel handle. Carved into the short stick was: “P.P. Lunde, 8-25-1901.” “She found this piece of wood 28 years to the day he (her great uncle Peter Lunde) put it there, ” Oscar said in an interview for the “Skagway Conversations” centennial video series. “That was strange.” It also wasn’t the end of the story. Several years later, on the same date, Oscar swore, he was cleaning out the old Harry Ask building on Broadway and stumbled upon an old trunk. Inside was a clipping from the Vancouver Sun about his sister’s discovery on that day many years before. “Someone was looking out to make sure I coincided with both parties, ” he said. Oscar’s father was a barber in Skagway, but he had been a concert violinist and professional knife thrower back in Norway. He passed on the musical background to his namesake. Oscar helped his dad with both hobbies but leaned toward music, playing the trumpet and later the ukulele and harmonica. Growing up he was a kid with a mischievous reputation, and was the tough guy on sports teams, including the basketball squad that ran circles around Juneau in 1936 for the northern Southeast title. Yet he worked when he could for “Old Man Wills” hauling wood for 50 cents a week, and was a good neighbor. When old Charlie Walker once had a few too many drinks on his way home from selling flowers to the ships, Oscar put Charlie in his flower cart and rolled the old man home. Like many young men in Skagway, after finishing high school, Oscar went to work for the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, graduating from junior baggageman to baggageman, to hosteler helper, to brakeman. He was active in the old White Pass Athletic Club, which sponsored a hockey team that traveled to Whitehorse and beat the Canadians at their own game. Oscar was the goalie. In March 1997, when the Dawson City Nuggets came through Skagway on their trek to Ottawa to reenact the 1905 Stanley Cup Challenge, Oscar met them with his large wooden stick and thick goalie pads from his playing days. The modern-day “Dawson City Seven” were impressed and said meeting Oscar was one of the highlights of their trip. Oscar’s only real time away from Skagway was during World War Two when he married for the first time and moved to Portland, Ore. to work in the shipyards. He returned to Skagway in 1945, rejoining White Pass as a carpenter helper. In September 1946, he married Alice Dunn, a nurse from Minnesota who worked in the company hospital. On a return trip from Minnesota, their first child, Stan, was born in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Two more children, Wayne and Sherrie, were born in Juneau, and all three were raised by Oscar and Alice in Skagway at Seventh and Broadway. Oscar worked for the late Vic Sparks in the railroad’s paint shop, taking over as head painter after the celebrated artist’s retirement. Oscar’s lasting legacy with the railroad is the Thunderbird emblem that he crafted from metal and painted for the front of the diesel engines. He worked for the railroad for 36 years and was active in Teamsters Local 959. At home his hobbies included developing photographs in a bathroom that doubled as a darkroom, polishing rocks in his crowded workshop, and playing music with the family. He also performed “The Stranger” at the ‘98 Show and led the “Skagway Sourtones” band to the docks to serenade the cruise ships in the mornings when they pulled up to the dock. The family enjoyed fishing near their Carcross cabin, and aboard Oscar’s boat in the Skagway harbor. Oscar strived to be the first in the water every spring, and the first to bring back a salmon. “Tom Cod One, ” as he was known on the VHF circuit, loved taking his kids, and later grandchildren and great-grandchildren fishing. Sometimes he invited newcomers out for the day. When he was fishing by himself, he liked to take a tape recorder along and record his thoughts while waiting to land the big one. Losing Alice in January 1975 was a great loss to Oscar and the family, and he often visited her grave at the Pioneer Cemetery. Every Memorial Day for many years, Oscar would clean up around her grave, and those of other family members and old friends. A few years later, Oscar met Judy Camp, a veterinarian whom he had befriended while hiking the trails and picking up trash. He took her with him when he decided to re-measure the width of the valley and tell the new editor his findings. Oscar and Judy also loved singing together and they were married in 1979. After his White Pass years, Oscar never really retired. He served on the city council a time or two, and ran the senior citizens program for 11 years. He was proud of being “Mr. February” in the “Seniors on the Last Frontier 1988 Calendar, ” and even prouder of his senior gold pass to Skagway School activities. He was a lifetime member of the Eagles and Elks, and a member of the Juneau Igloo of the Pioneers of Alaska. As Skagway’s longest living resident, he was called on in 1997 to unveil the Centennial Statue, along with members of the valley’s oldest family, the Dennis’s. Like Judy, he loved animals, and he wanted any donations in his memory to go to either the Gastineau Humane Society in Juneau or the Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka. Late in life, with his health in decline, Oscar still liked to spend time on the benches downtown or riding around in his cart greeting friends and visitors. He entertained various writers and even joked with one last summer that he might not be home later because he bounced around town “faster than a fart on a skillet.” If you caught up with him in a restaurant, he usually had an old photo in his pocket and a story to tell over many half cups of coffee. If he got your interest, he might bring along a prop for the next time he saw you. A boy, a bull sling, and his rock pile Two years ago the newspaper received a call about another scoop from Oscar, believed to be on a scale equal in measure to the valley’s width. A huge rock pile had developed at the south end of town from dredging the river for the airport expansion project. At one point, the mountain of rocks had blocked the microwave tower and interrupted long distance service and Internet connections. Oscar, with his boyhood bull sling in hand, beckoned the local news editor to the site to explain his role in Skagway becoming cut off from the rest of the world. Many years ago, Oscar confessed, his brother Occie and he had tossed rocks into the river with their bull slings. They slung so many rocks that they wondered if someone might have to remove them some day to keep the river from filling up. Never one to stand in the way of progress, Oscar was glad someone finally removed the rocks from the river. They were leveled off to allow communications again worldwide. And as far as we know, the mountains didn’t inch any closer together as a result. A little of Oscar has rubbed off on everyone in Skagway. His children certainly inherited their dad’s sense of humor, and the townspeople in general have learned from him to never take themselves too seriously. Oscar is survived by his younger brother Bob Selmer of Kirkland, Wash.; wife Judy of Skagway; children Shirley Woods of Seattle, Mary Ann Invie of Beaverton, Ore., Stan Selmer of Skagway, Wayne Selmer of Haines, and Sherrie Colyer of Columbia Falls, Mont.; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; his cat Shadow; and the community of Skagway. Special thanks to the Selmer family for use of portions of the eulogy written for Oscar’s service by Maxine Selmer and read by Brian Blanchard; and to Richard Denno for use of his quote from his “In My Travels” column. To view his story, go to and click onto the third choice, Hometown News Publications Archives. The issue is # 36, dated Sept. 8, 2000. May B. Coyne 1908-2001 Former Skagway postmaster May B. Coyne died March 1, 2001 in Dupont, Penn. She was the widow of former mayor of Skagway, Cyril “Cy” Coyne. Mrs. Coyne was born on February 20, 1908 in Scranton, Penn., the daughter of the late Ignatious and Agnes Donovan Bohn. Cy and May lived in Skagway for many years. She and her husband owned and operated the Chilkoot Insurance and Real Estate Agencies in Skagway and Haines, and also ran the North Wind newspaper, before retiring to their winter home in Lake San Marcos, Calif. in the early 1980s. Surviving are two sisters, Agnes Joyce of Bridgeport, Conn. and Mildred Pramick of Dupont, with whom she resided for the past three years; step-daughter Dolores Stamps of Michigan; step-granddaughter Heather Makin; four step grandchildren; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; three brothers, Jack and Naish Bohn and Thomas Joyce; a sister Esther Holbert; and son Lee Speer. A funeral mass was held at Sacred Heart Church in Dupont. The family can be contacted at 119 Chestnut St., Dupont, PA 18641-2101. Alexander Stevens II 1930-2001 Alexander T. Stevens, who attended Pius X Mission in Skagway, died March 13, 2001 from cancer at Bartlett Regional hospital in Juneau. He was born Dec. 18, 1930 on Douglas Island and attended the Mission School in Skagway. He was a proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran and served during the Korean War. Alex was a commercial fisherman and retired employee of the General Services Administration, in charge of the Federal Building maintenance in Juneau for many years. After his retirement, he drove tour buses for Last Frontier Tours. His hobbies were building and flying model airplanes, and he used to love coming to Skagway to fly planes on the Dyea Flats. He also was an avid pool player and bowler, and made the best fry bread and halibut. He was preceded in death by his father, Alexander A. Stevens, his mother, Bertha (Marshall-Stevens-Johnson), and his stepfather, Charles D. Johnson. He is survived by his sisters, Marge Ling, Dorothy Thornton, and Katherine Miyasato, all of Juneau, and Lucielle Stevenson of Seattle; his children, Patricia Murchison, Angela Stevens, Dorothy Stevens, and Samantha Des Armo, all of Anchorage, and Annette Ulmer, Alexander T. Stevens III, and Roxanne Olivera of Juneau; also 18 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Gilbert “Smokey” Knapp 1938-2002 Gilbert “Smokey” Knapp, 64, joined his heavenly Father March 1, 2002 at his home in Hot Springs, Mont., surrounded by his family. He was born Feb. 23, 1938 in Eddy Mont., to Albert and Mary Knapp. He attended schools in Plains and St. Regis Mont., and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955-1958. In 1960, he married Audrey Colyer, and shortly thereafter, the couple moved to Skagway where Smokey found employment with the White Pass and Yukon railroad from 1960-1965. They made their way back to Montana for a short while, where they owned and operated the Pair-A-Dice Bar in Paradise, Mont. Eventually they returned to Skagway and Smokey went back to work for White Pass in various positions before becoming a manager. He remained with the railroad from 1967-1983, when it closed. Smokey served on the Skagway School Board for several years and also coached Little League baseball for a time. Smokey was an Elks member for 41 years. The family then moved to Seward where he worked as manager of Suneel Alaska Corp. coal export facility. He was also a member of the Seward Port Authority during those years until his retirement in 1987, when he and Audrey returned to western Montana to live. Smokey’s first love was his family. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and being around people. He will be remembered for his thoughtfulness, compassion, loyalty, the things he did for others and his great sense of humor. He will be missed by everyone whose life he touched. Smokey was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Mary Knapp, and seven brothers, Mel, Bob, Burell, Neil, Albert, Butch, and Jim Knapp. Smokey is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Audrey Knapp, of Hot Springs, Mont.; his son and daughter-in-law, David and Jody Knapp of Anchorage; his four daughters and sons-in-law, Tamra and Christopher Stalkfleet of Nikiski; Trudi and Steve Lawrence of Polson, Mont.; Brigette and Brian Barnhart of Great Falls, Mont.; Skye and Daniel White of Seward; four brothers, Edgar, David and Richard Knapp of Washington state, and Paul Knapp of Okla.; two sisters, Joyce Burnham and Mary Lou Moe of Skagway; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A military graveside service conducted by Horse Plains VFW Post number 3596 was held March 5 at Paradise Cemetery. The family asks that any donations be made to the Salvation Army. Edna Kalvick 1913-2001 Edna Kalvick, a former Skagway resident who was living in Eagle River, died on Dec. 7, 2001 in the Providence Extended Care Facility in Anchorage after a long fight with cancer. She was 88 years old. Her son and daughter-in-law were at her side. Edna was born in Roseau, Minn., on June 21, 1923. She moved to Skagway in 1955 and was employed by White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad as a cook. She married Alf Kalvick, WP&YR bridge and building carpenter, that year. The Kalvicks lived in Skagway and, after retirement, in Dyea Valley. They were well known for their gardening talents – Alf for his potatoes and Edna for her touch with every variety of flowers. She was a master gardener. Alf died in 1988 and Edna moved to Anchorage in 1993 where she first resided in a senior housing development and later in an assisted living facility at Eagle River. Edna is survived by her daughter, Lorna McDermott of Skagway; son Dennis Lattery of Eagle River; grandson Robert Mahle of Skagway; granddaughters Shannon Ames and Tracy Snyder of Skagway; granddaughter Denise Lattery Trutanic of Anchorage; great-grandsons Justin Moore, Mitchell Snyder and Tyson Ames of Skagway; and great-granddaughters Jaime Bricker, Kelly Snyder and Savannah Ames of Skagway, and Miranda Mahle of Seward. Edna’s ashes will be scattered in Dyea. A memorial service will be held in the spring in Skagway. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a small donation to the American Cancer Society. Goldie Hanousek Hukill 1916-2001 Born Goldie Hanousek in Three Forks, Montana on June 5, 1916, she traveled to Skagway in 1938 and worked for the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad as cook at Glacier Station. Goldie met and married her husband of 57 years, Duncan Perkins Hukill, a life-long resident of Skagway. A 63-year Skagway resident, Goldie had been living with her daughter Frances Rose of Juneau since March 2001. She passed peacefully in her sleep at Juneau’s Shattuck Manor on Nov. 14, 2001. Goldie was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend. Beyond that, occupations were secondary and numerous. At a time in the early years, she was Skagway’s assistant mortician. Goldie owned and operated the little railroad town’s only taxi service. In the wee hours of the winter, a call from Moe’s Frontier Bar or the Igloo Bar would come in. Goldie would be heard to say, “Looks like one of the little brothers needs a ride home.” In later years, many of Skagway’s finest have been known to drive tours for Goldie’s Taxi. Survivors include daughters Frances Rose and Cindy Herpst; grandchildren Travis and Tyler Rose of Juneau, Hollie Rubin of Enumclaw, Wash., Shellie Cox of Mt. Vernon, Wash., Rocky and Cody Herpst of Portland, Ore.; sister Mary Oman of Seattle; brother Edward Hanousek of Camano Island, Wash.; and great grandchildren Kaleb Cox and Madison Rubin. She was preceded in death by her husband, Duncan. The Hukills of Skagway can be identified with the family names of Lee, Soldin, Dilge, Berry, Jacquot, Knorr, McVey, Henricksen, Griffin, Fuette, Rose, Herpst, and Hanousek. As our elderly pass, we that remain more closely identify with the ties that bind us. The family of Goldie and Duncan Hukill thank our family and friends in Skagway for their love, friendship and support. A memorial service will be held in Skagway on Goldie’s birthday, June 5, 2002, to celebrate the life and contributions of our beloved Goldie Hanousek Hukill. Evelyn “Tommy” Boynton 1916-2002 Eulogy I would like to take a moment of your time to talk about our mother Evelyn E. Boynton (maiden Eenerl). She was born in Fort Collins, Colo., Nov. 27, 1916. Her first days were spent on the oven door of a stove. You see, mom was a preemie baby. She was always small but strong of heart. Most of her friends called her Tommy. Many thought this was her real name. Now here’s the rest of the story on how she got the nickname. When she was in first grade she was wearing a shiny new belt. A boy named Bobby wanted her belt. As told to me by Bobby himself, with expressions of great displeasure from Mom, he thought he could knock Mom down and take the belt, after all he was a boy. Within seconds he was on his back, fists were flying and Mom was on top of him, whaling the tar out of him. The teachers pulled the two apart. Bobby jumped up and said “you fight like a boy.” The crowd gathered around, yelled “Tom Boy.” Tommy was born that day. Growing up, Mom played all kinds of sports. Being only 4’ 8” she beat most of the boys and was better at the sport than them. Mom did not like to lose. She played with gusto of life. The boys in Colorado said she was one of the best members to have on the team. If mom was there playing, they won the game. During high school the family moved to Alamosa, Colo. to obtain work on the railroad. Mom lived on the west side of the town, and Dad lived on the east side. I still do not know to this day which was the bad side – according to Mom, it was Dad who lived in the slums. By chance at a high school graduation party the two met. Dad was smitten with Mom’s charm and beauty. The two were married in 1936. In 1937, Fred, their first son, was born and all was well in the Boynton family. Dad had a good job working for the Denver Rio Grand Western Railway Company – he graduated from a high school program as a full-fledged carman. As the country made a downturn, most of the men were being laid off. Dad, being a journeyman carman, was still employed and saw the old carmen go by the wayside, including his father. Dad received a job offer in Alaska. The White Pass & Yukon Route hired dad as a journeyman carman with the understanding that he would be car foreman in a couple of years after a man retired. Dad brought up the family to live in the house at Ninth and State where some of the family still live today. During the war years in 1942, Jim, their second son, was born. The Boynton family was happy and doing good. In 1944, their third son was born, Ken. Now the family was complete; Mom and Dad had three boys, what a happy family. Mom wanted a girl in the family. In 1948, Sylvia was born. Now Dad thought the family was complete, three boys and one girl. Mom still wanted to have one more girl. 1n 1950, Charlotte was born. Dad said this is the last of the Boynton family. The family lived in Skagway, knowing what love was by a two-parent family. Charlotte, being the youngest of the family, was a target of all those boys. What a ride for the boys, not so good for Charlotte. As we grew up the house was full of love and understanding. Mom and Dad took all us kids fishing, camping and blueberry picking. Mom made great pies. The summer was packed with all kinds of things to do to keep us out of trouble. As the years moved on some of the kids left Skagway and moved to other states. Sylvia always stayed there taking care of Mom and Dad. Then Dad retired and the Boynton family of two moved to Apache Junction, Ariz. They chose Buena Vista Park for the retirement, where Space 121 was their home away from home for many years. During the years they made many friends to help Mom through the passing of our father. Mom was very active in her community doing what she could to make the living better for all the people around Dad and Mom. In Skagway, Mom and Dad starred in the ‘98 Show, sponsored by FOE 25. Mom was the lead can can dancer and Dad was Dangerous Dan McGrew in a Robert Service tale about a can can dancer who fell in love with a gambler. What a run they had for many years. Even Sylvia and Charlotte got into the act as can can dancers. This tale is still being told by actors today. Mom was proud to have been placed in the Women’s Bowling Hall of Fame. In Arizona, she started the exercise group in the old hall. She had many years of being the leader of the women’s morning out. She would drive us boys into the ground. When her health started to fail she still went to exercise group and enjoyed being active. Her last acting engagement, as she called it, was the Jug Band. She love to sing and dance for other parks. What a lady, performing for others younger and in better shape than she. Mom loved the guitar player. He made her laugh – thanks Bobby. Don Brazier, was the son she said was in Arizona. She loved to go over to his home and have Thanksgiving Dinner. Even if I could not make it to take Mom to Don’s home, he would come and get her. Mom loved him and his wife for making her part of his family. Thanks Bud. The saddest day in Mom’s life was when Dad passed away. After several days, she called me and asked if she could stop grieving and start to live life. She said she felt life draining out of her. I told Mom that all us kids want her to be happy and live life to the fullest. She chose to go on and look for the good in life. The second saddest day was when Fred, our brother, passed away. She said it’s not right to have a child pass away before you. She was saddened to the point of not wanting to go on. Jim and Sylvia had to go over and take care of Fred’s estate. I got the good job, I took care of Mom. She loved her family so much. She said, “I have four children that love me and I must go on for them.” She loved us all so much. What a mom to be raised by. So many of our friends called her Mom and she would say come on in and make a sandwich or have something to eat. Mom said to me many times, “Ken, if you have problems in life or lose someone that you love, be like me. Smile, put your head high, and go on. Who wants to be around a sour puss and a complainer.” She lived by this motto all of her life. Mom loved to go to church to hear Father Sam. She said he made so much out of the Gospel. Mom did not want to miss church for this is life, as she would say, “If I go to church all will be well with me and the world.” Mom had a great outlook on life. Mom loved all her friends in the park. Some took her to her doctors appointments, shopping or just having fun. Again I would like to thank all you of for your support and love for our mother. After my Nancy passed away, Mom was such a comfort to me knowing that she had experienced the same in losing Dad. Jim and myself found new wives and Mom loved them as if they were her own children. She took in Robin and Kiyoko into the family with open arms. Mom said, the last time I saw her, was do not grieve for her for she will be with Dad, Fred and my Nancy, and most of all she’s with Jesus the Savior. Her words have a soothing effect on me and I hope all who knew her. The very last thing Mom said to me was, “I want all my children to get along.” Her wish has been fulfilled: we do love each other. Mom tried to keep us boys from teasing Charlotte all the time. Mom failed and Charlotte is still being teased. She would say “those darn boys.” I can hear today, “You darn boys leave Charlotte alone.” Mom was survived by Jim, Ken, Sylvia, and Charlotte; and 10 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. May God Bless you. Colleen Murphy 1946-2002 Skagway resident Colleen Murphy died in her sleep March 15. She was 54. Murphy was the fifth-generation of her family from Long Beach. Ore., where she was born Sept. 19, 1946. When she first arrived in Skagway, she was an accomplished sheetrocker. Over the last several years, she focused on her ivory carving and jewelry making which she sold out of her store, Made In Skagway Gallery. A more detailed obituary will follow in the next edition of this paper. Gilbert “Smokey” Knapp 1938-2002 Gilbert “Smokey” Knapp, 64, joined his heavenly Father March 1, 2002 at his home in Hot Springs, Mont., surrounded by his family. He was born Feb. 23, 1938 in Eddy Mont., to Albert and Mary Knapp. He attended schools in Plains and St. Regis Mont., and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955-1958. In 1960, he married Audrey Colyer, and shortly thereafter, the couple moved to Skagway where Smokey found employment with the White Pass and Yukon railroad from 1960-1965. They made their way back to Montana for a short while, where they owned and operated the Pair-A-Dice Bar in Paradise, Mont. Eventually they returned to Skagway and Smokey went back to work for White Pass in various positions before becoming a manager. He remained with the railroad from 1967-1983, when it closed. Smokey served on the Skagway School Board for several years and also coached Little League baseball for a time. Smokey was an Elks member for 41 years. The family then moved to Seward where he worked as manager of Suneel Alaska Corp. coal export facility. He was also a member of the Seward Port Authority during those years until his retirement in 1987, when he and Audrey returned to western Montana to live. Smokey’s first love was his family. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and being around people. He will be remembered for his thoughtfulness, compassion, loyalty, the things he did for others and his great sense of humor. He will be missed by everyone whose life he touched. Smokey was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Mary Knapp, and seven brothers, Mel, Bob, Burell, Neil, Albert, Butch, and Jim Knapp. Smokey is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Audrey Knapp, of Hot Springs, Mont.; his son and daughter-in-law, David and Jody Knapp of Anchorage; his four daughters and sons-in-law, Tamra and Christopher Stalkfleet of Nikiski; Trudi and Steve Lawrence of Polson, Mont.; Brigette and Brian Barnhart of Great Falls, Mont.; Skye and Daniel White of Seward; four brothers, Edgar, David and Richard Knapp of Washington state, and Paul Knapp of Okla.; two sisters, Joyce Burnham and Mary Lou Moe of Skagway; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A military graveside service conducted by Horse Plains VFW Post number 3596 was held March 5 at Paradise Cemetery. The family asks that any donations be made to the Salvation Army. Jeol Mathis 1962-2002 Services for Joel Mathis of Skagway will be held today, Jan. 25, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Elks Lodge. Mathis, 39, died Jan. 15, 2002 in a plane crash near Skagway. Joel was doing what he loved – he was on his way to pick up two passengers in Haines, Alaska, when his plane went down. Joel was born on June 6, 1962. He was raised in New Mexico and had a dream about flying since he was nine years old, his mother said. Joel came to Alaska in the 1990s and lived in Juneau for about seven years, working for Delta Western and Reliable Transfer. He dreamed of flying, his former employer told the Juneau Empire, and when the trucking job became seasonal, Joel used the time off to earn flight hours by flying banners off the coast of North and South Carolina. In the summer of 2000, Joel started with Skagway Air Service, his first scheduled air carrier. He then went to work for Haines Air for the winter. After that airline closed its doors last spring, Joel was welcomed back to Skagway Air, initially flying out of Juneau. He was one of three pilots retained by the local carrier this winter, and moved up to Skagway, living above the hardware store. Joel was remembered by fellow employees as a friendly guy with a Western look – cowboy boots and shirt – and a great sense of humor. He enjoyed sitting on a bench outside the office on Broadway and striking up conversations with tourists. “He was just a real good company family member, ” said Skagway Air vice president and fellow pilot Mike O’Daniel. “He wasn’t just an employee. He was part of the company family.” Joel is survived by his mother and father, Vic and Sue Mathis; his brother Vernon Mathis, wife Tina Mathis, their children, Travis Mathis, Matthew Lovato and Dallas Wallace; his sister Shelly Mathis and Max, all of Albuquerque, New Mexico. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the people who risked their lives to recover his body: Skagway Volunteer Search and Rescue. Joel out-flew his Angels. Recently Added or Updated Research Collections on Ancestry.com [ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ] Alaska Obituary and Death Notice Archive is maintained by GenLookups with WebBBS 5.12.

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