Elena Wahlen

Palmer resident Elena Wahlen, 68, died July 26, 2008, at Elvie’s Home Care in Wasilla.

A memorial service was held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Palmer Elks’ Club. Her cremated remains will be scattered at Finger Lake in front of the Elks’ Club.

 Wahlen was born June 27, 1940, in St. Paul. She attended elementary school in St. Paul, graduated from Mt. Edgecomb High School in Sitka and attended one-plus years at UAF. She was a stay-at-home mom.

Later, when her kids were gone, she worked for Deb’s Pharmacy in Palmer from 1985 to 1995. She was a member of the Russian Orthodox Church in St. Paul, the BPOE, and did volunteer work. She enjoyed cross stitch/needle point, bird watching, science fiction TV shows and movies, gardening and playing classical guitar and violin in college. She was an avid Yankees baseball fan.

Her family said: “Elena and her spouse, Dale, took their family on long car trips to Homer in the summer time, as a family, because they enjoyed the Homer area and the ocean.She also enjoyed their many friends at the Elks.”

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale; father John Kushin Sr.; sisters Susan Misiki and Joanna Kushin; and brothers Michael Kushin Jr. and John Kushin.

Surviving are daughters Alice Rose of Palmer and Anna Wahlen of Anchorage; son Dale Wahlen of Anchorage; sister Serafima Newton of Anchorage; mother Mary Kushin of St. Paul Island; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

 Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel & Crematory.