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Martha Kanana (Riley) Peterson
Former Seward resident Martha Kanana (Riley) Peterson died Friday, Oct. 19, 2001. She died peacefully in her sleep at home in Anchorage due to complications from strokes and cancer. She was 83.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. today at the Seward Chapel on Nash Road. Pastor Paul Pichotta will officiate. As she requested, her ashes be spread over Resurrection Bay.
Mrs. Peterson was born May 5, 1918, in Herendeen Bay, Alaska, to James Riley and Maude Sennamarenna.
After her mother died from tuberculosis, she was raised at the Jessie Lee Home. Her brother Michael also died of tuberculosis. She traveled on the boat "Bear" in 1925 when Jessie Lee was moved from Unalaska to Seward. She rememberedt there was a boys' boat and a girls' boat. She met her husband, Andrew Peterson, at Jessie Lee and they were married in Seward.
During World War II she moved to Dillingham and worked at the Kanakanak Hospital, where she had to stand on a box to cook at the stove. She retired in May of 1983 after working as head housekeeper at the Wesleyan Nursing Home in Seward for 11 years. When she visited afterward, the patients would ask her if she was going to come back to work.
She subsequently lived in Anchorage.
Mrs. Peterson's hobbies included people, playing cards -- especially cribbage -- and bingo. She loved to cook and was famous for her bread and her popcorn balls at Halloween.
"Mom could remember what you talked about the last time she saw you, be it a week or six months. She loved and accepted people where they were at, and if she could help you out, she did, " her family said.
Mrs. Peterson was preceded in death by her parents, her brother and her husband.
She is survived by her children Hans Peterson of Seward and Peter and Barbara Peterson of Anchorage.
Donations may be made in her name to a food bank or The Salvation Army.
Arrangements were made by Witzleben Family Funeral Homes and Crematory.
Timothy Lee Rowlette
Timothy Lee Rowlette of Anchorage died Friday, Nov. 16, 2001, in Valdez. He was 46.
A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. today at the Grace Brethren Church in Soldotna with Rev. Chuck Thornton officiating.
Mr. Rowlette was born March 6, 1955, in Bemidji, Minn. He graduated from high school, moved to Alaska in 1978 and attended Kenai Community College. Mr. Rowlette lived in Anchorage for four years, Soldotna for 18 years and Valdez for the past two years. He was employed by Alyeska Pipeline. He was a member of the Bow Hunting Association and Ducks Unlimited and loved bow hunting, fishing and anything outdoors.
"We lost our Tim and the world lost an incredible man, " his family said.
Mr. Rowlette was preceded in death by his father, Thomas L. Rowlette.
He is survived by his wife, Lynn Rowlette of Valdez; two daughters, DesaRae Shanahan and her husband Brian of Clarksville, Tenn., and Shawna Potter and her husband Richard of Valdez; mother, Jean Harvey of Ravilli, Mont.; stepmother, Cheryl Rowlette of Bemidji; sisters, Sara Harvey of Seattle, Wash., Nancy Lopez of Minneapolis, Minn., and Lauren Rowlette of Colorado; brother, Michael Rowlette of Castle Rock, Colo.; three grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alaska USA Credit Union or Wells Fargo Bank.
Arrangements were made by the Anchorage Funeral Home.
Alvin L. Ehrstrom
Seward resident Alvin Leonard Ehrstrom died Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2001, at his home in Seward. He was 65.
At his request, no services are planned.
Mr. Ehrstrom was born Aug. 21, 1936, in Vancouver, Wash. He graduated from Fort Vancouver High School in Vancouver. He moved to Seward in 1969 and was a fisherman.
Mr. Ehrstrom is survived by daughters Tresa France of Vancouver and Cathy Valenzuela of Camas, Wash.; grandchildren, Jesse France Jr. of Vancouver and Randy and Mario Valenzuela of Camas; brother, William H. Ehrstrom of Pocatello, Idaho; and sister, Zenia Marie Stauffer of Deer Park, Wash.
Arrangements were by Peninsula Funeral Home.
Christina Lynn Haeg
Lifetime Kenai Peninsula resident Christina Lynn Haeg died in her sleep Thursday, Dec. 6, 2001, at her mother's home in Kenai. She was 20.
A viewing will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday with a short service at 8 p.m. at Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai. Funeral services will be at noon Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Homer on East End Road. There will be a viewing one hour prior to services at the church. Robert Jones will officiate at the service.
Burial will be on her father's property on East End Road following the church service. Pallbearers will be Sarah Lee Haeg, David Haeg, Tony Fox, Vern Logan, Aaron Overson and Jesse Sherwood.
Ms. Haeg was born Sept. 20, 1981, in Soldotna. She grew up and received her education in Kenai and Homer. She graduated from Homer High School in 2000.
She commercial fished with her family and was employed with T and C Enterprises in Homer. She also worked with Foster Construction in Soldotna.
Ms. Haeg loved the outdoors, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, camping and all types of fishing. She had a great love for horses and all other animals. She enjoyed being at the race track and working on cars. She loved working with her father in the construction business, running heavy equipment. She enjoyed spending time with her family. She had a real love for children.
"Christina had a true love for all of her family and friends. She was a special and powerful woman in all of our lives and will continue to be so. She was always very forgiving, supportive, honest and accepting of others. She would do all she could for others who were in need of help. She will be missed by her family and all of her friends. She touched many lives in ways that will remain in each of our hearts forever, " her family said.
Ms. Haeg was preceded in death by her grandfathers Thomas R. Haeg and Larry Fox and uncles Gregory and Ronald Haeg.
She is survived by her father, Thomas M. Haeg of Homer; mother, Carrie Lynn Haeg of Kenai; sister, Sarah Lee Haeg; stepmother, Bets Haeg of Homer; step-siblings Christopher, Sara, Robin and Robert Reed; grandparents Robert and Mary Haeg of Chinitna Bay, Carol Fox of Kenai and Robert and Carole Jones of Ninilchik; aunts and uncles Tony and Monica Fox of Kenai, Vern and Wendy Logan of North Kenai, David and Jackie Haeg of Soldotna and Sue Clements of Minnesota; and cousins Sharlena and Devin Fox, Chase and Brandon Logan, Kayla and Cassandra Haeg, Lisa, Danielle, Eric and Ryan Clements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Wells Fargo Bank, account No. 5430281880.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Wynona Diane Brown-Nichols
Former Soldotna resident Wynona Diane Brown-Nichols died Friday, Dec. 7, 2001, at her home in Anchorage.
She was 34.
Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday at Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai. Pastor Steve Toliver will officiate. There will be a viewing one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
Ms. Brown-Nichols was born Jan. 12, 1967, in Anchorage. She lived in Eagle River from the time she was born to 1976.
She then moved with her family to Fairbanks. In 1982 she moved again with her family to Soldotna and resided there until moving to Anchorage in 1999. She worked for Inlet Towers Hotel.
Ms. Brown-Nichols loved making birch bark baskets and prayer feathers.
Her family said, "Wynona was a very special, caring person loved by all who knew her. She will be missed by her family and friends."
She was preceded in death by a sister, Tracy.
Ms. Brown-Nichols is survived by her parents, Robert "Jim" and Goldie Brown; her children, Spencer and Tyler; friend Jeremy Ickes; brothers Barney and David; sisters Debra and Donna; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
William Abe Zimmerman Jr.
Kenai resident William Abe Zimmerman Jr. died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2001, at his father's home in Kenai. He was 39.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at New Life Assembly of God Church in Kenai. Pastor Steve Brown will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Peninsula Memorial Chapel. Private burial will be in Spruce Grove Memorial Park cemetery in Kasilof.
Mr. Zimmerman was born Jan. 20, 1962, in Taft, Calif. He moved with his family to Alaska in 1976. He graduated from Kenai Central High School. He attended many trade schools and also served with the U.S. Navy for a short time. Mr. Zimmerman lived in Taft, Soldotna and Sterling before moving back to Kenai. He worked for Great Land Machine, VECO and Alaska Petroleum Contractors Inc.
His hobbies and special interests were his children and fishing.
He is survived by his daughters Quilla and Robbie Caye; sons James and John; his mother and stepfather, Judith Arlene and Jack Leonard; his father and stepmother, William "Bill" Sr. and Sue Zimmerman; brothers and sisters-in-law Frank and Kathy Zimmerman and Fred and Debbie Zimmerman; a sister, Cynthia Anderson; his grandparents, Deward and Juanita Maize; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his ex-wife, Lori Renfrow-Zimmerman.
At the family's request, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations are encouraged to the First National Bank of Anchorage, c/o Lori Renfrow-Zimmerman on behalf of his children. Donations can be made at any First National Bank of Anchorage.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
James R. Little
Former Kenai resident James R. Little died Monday, Nov. 19, 2001, at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif. He was 79.
His ashes will be buried at a later date in Mountain View Memorial Park in Tacoma, Wash.
Mr. Little was born July 7, 1922, in Gibbon, Neb., to George and Pauline Little. He was raised in Gibbon, graduated from Gibbon High School and attended the University of Nebraska for two years.
In January 1942 he married Alice Gitt.
Mr. Little served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the aircraft carrier USS Suwannee. After his honorable discharge, he began his career with the civil service in the U.S. Weather Bureau and traveled with his wife and family to many locations. In July 1956, he transferred to Alaska, living on Annette Island and in Bethel before moving back to the Lower 48 in August 1966. After retiring in 1984, he and his wife returned to Alaska to be near their children and grandchildren. He resided in Kenai until his wife's death in 1996.
His family said, "He was a loving husband and father, and he never knew a stranger. He loved fishing and hunting in his younger years, and a more generous, honest and kind man would be hard to find. He will be greatly missed."
He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Alice, his parents and two sisters.
Mr. Little is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Everett Hudson of Kenai; sons and daughters-in-law Larry and Penny Little of Soldotna, Thomas and Bonnie Little of Wasilla and William and Liz Little of Wasilla; grandchildren Kimberly Kinnebrew, Kandice Meyer, Thomas and Richard Little, Brandi Wimberly, Kelli Little, Alicia Little and Andrea Everett; and great-grandchildren Braden, Trenton, Kelsey, Cameron and Kamry.
Arrangements were made by the FitzHenry Funeral Home in Indio, Calif.
Kathryn Jean (Purintun) Andress
Kenai resident Kathryn Jean (Purintun) Andress died Thursday, Dec. 6, 2001, from complications awaiting a stem cell transplant at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. She was 55.
Visitation was Thursday. Services will be at 4 p.m. today at the First Congregational Church, 2610 East Northern Lights Blvd., Anchorage. Family will receive friends at the Little Italy Restaurant, 2300 East 88th St., Anchorage, following the services.
Mrs. Andress was born May 27, 1946, in Hartley, Iowa. She married Gus Andress of Shenandoah, Iowa, on May 11, 1988.
She had a distinguished career in nursing. She received her diploma in nursing from Allen Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Iowa in 1967 and her bachelor's degree in health sciences from California State University. She began her career as head nurse of the transplant unit at the University of Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis, where she assisted with its first bone marrow and pancreas transplants.
After moving to California in 1970, she worked in the intensive care unit at Long Beach Community Hospital and at St. Mary's-Bauer Hospital.
In 1978, she and Gus moved to Anchorage, where she worked as a staff nurse at Providence Alaska Medical Center. During her 19 years at Providence, she worked as an assistant nurse manager in ICU and as dialysis coordinator. She also worked as an on-call nurse for patient transport and played a vital role in professional and community education.
In 1987, she started and developed the Organ Donor Program of Alaska with doctors Thomas Wood and Steven Tucker. With the help of many dedicated Alaskans, this program saved many lives.
She was a certified nephrology nurse, certified hemodialysis nurse and a certified critical care nurse. She was a member of the American Nephrology Nurses Association serving as vice president, president and founding member of the Alaska chapter. In 1986-87, she was honored in Who's Who of American Nursing. She also served as vice president and president of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. In 1989, she received the AACN Innovative Award. She was an active member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
Mrs. Andress retired from nursing in 1997, moved to Kenai and joined her husband in their two family businesses.
"She absolutely loved the splendor of Alaska. She adored the moose, enjoyed kayaking, camping and hiking, and loved flowers, gardening and sewing. She and her husband spent many wonderful times at their cabin on Caribou Island in Skilak Lake listening to the call of the loons, " her family said.
"She saw beauty in everything and everyone. Kathy had a special gift that allowed her to reach the heart and soul of all she met. She had a laugh and a spirit that could light up a room. With her gentle, sweet and loving personality and positive attitude, she was loved and admired by all who knew her. She will be greatly missed."
Mrs. Andress was preceded in death by her parents, Pearl Eleanor Purintun Messerer and Paul Martin Purintun; infant brother, Roger Charles Purintun; and stepfather, Fred Michael Messerer.
She is survived by her husband, Gus; sister and brother-in-law Harveta and John B. Rockwell Jr. of Champlin, Minn.; nieces and nephews-in-law Joanne and James P. Rice III of Cottage Grove, Minn., and Layna and Benjamin Peltier of Arlington, Va.; nephew Jonathan Jay Rockwell of Brooklyn Park, Minn.; and many close friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the National Foundation for Transplants in the name of Kathy Andress, P.O. Box 212215, Anchorage, AK 99521-2215. Also, donations may be made online at www.transplants.org/index.htm. Click the upper right hand corner for "Secure Online Donations" and choose her name.
Arrangements were made by Witzleben Family Funeral Homes and Crematory.
