Daniel Guy Lindeke, 50, died in his home surrounded by his family on Aug. 8, 2008 after a three-year battle with cancer.

Lindeke was born June 16, 1958, to Margaret and Sidney Lindeke of Palmer while they were on a mission furlough in California. He was the youngest of four children raised by Margaret and Sidney at Lazy Mountain Children’s Home. Lindeke was active in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H, Palmer High choir, and a variety of sports in all of his years of school.

He graduated from Palmer High School in 1977, and then joined the Navy. He earned the rank of E-6, serving as an aircraft mechanic on shore and on aircraft carriers including the Coral Sea, the Nimitz, and the Eisenhower. When it was discovered that he was an Alaskan, he became known as “Klondike Dan.”

Lindeke retired in 1997 after 20 years in the U.S. Navy. He returned to Alaska in 2001 and settled in Palmer with his youngest son Cody and wife, Marcy. He was father to five sons and one daughter. He loved children and animals and had a quiet gentle way with everyone, his family said.

Lindeke worked as an aircraft mechanic for Pen Air in Anchorage and more recently for Hageland Aviation at the Palmer airport. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends and family. He introduced his father, then 80 years old, to bear hunting three years ago. The bear hunt at Beluga and set netting off the coast at Kasilof became annual events for Lindeke, his friends and his father, Sid.

Surviving are his spouse, Marcy Lindeke of Palmer; sons Alexanjro Lindeke of Washington, Daniel Angeles of South Carolina, Christopher Lindeke of Wisconsin, Raymond Lindeke of California and Cody Bies of Palmer; daughter Erin Brown of Norfolk, Va.; grandchildren Brittany and Damien Erickson of Washington, Marissa, Bailey and Madison Lindeke of Washington, Katlyn and Jasmine Angeles of South Carolina, Maxwell Lindeke of Wisconsin, Dahlia Lindeke of Texas and Phoebe Ferrell and Paige Brown of Virginia; brother Nathan Lindeke of Anchorage; sister-in-law Sandra Lindeke of Anchorage; sisters and their husbands, Lydia and Larry Wood of Palmer, and Priscilla and Bob Brown of Kasilof; and his father, Sydney Lindeke of Palmer.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Lindeke

A celebration of his life was held at Lazy Mountain Bible Church on the Aug. 17. He was remembered with full military honors and a potluck reception. His cremated remains will be scattered in the Hatcher Pass area.

Arrangements were with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel & Crematory.