Donald Roger Petrie, 75, died Nov. 4 at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer after a short courageous battle with brain cancer.

A service will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer on Wednesday at 3 p.m., with Pastor Jonathon Rockey officiating.

Donald was born Oct. 21, 1924 in Hastings, Neb., to Art and Leona Petrie. He graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a bachelor’s and master’s degrees, then continued studies at Peabody College in Nashville, Tenn., with a degree in special education. He served two years with the Army and was stationed in Germany. Donald was a teacher in Cody, Wyo., in the 1960s and later became principal of East Side Elementary for 20 years. After moving to Palmer in 1982, Donald was the director of Indian Affairs, director of Title I and a Correspondence School Teacher in the Mat-Su Borough. He retired from the Mat-Su Borough School District in 1997.

Donald was a trustee and member of St. John Lutheran Church, 49-year member of the Elks Moose Club, and a member of the National Education Association.

He was the director of Special Olympics, a Boy Scout Leader, and received numerous awards as a principal and teacher. He was an avid reader, student of history, golfer, fisherman and a great storyteller.

His family wrote, “Don’s kindness, generosity and big heart will be missed by our family. He will continue to be admired by his peers, students and their parents.”

Donald is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Charlene Petrie, son and daughter-in-law Lance and Tausha Petrie, granddaughter Alyson, and grandson Jackson, all of Palmer, sister Bonie Uhrmacher of Fairbury, Neb., brothers Richard Petrie of Kansas City, Mo., and Wallace Petrie of Lusk, Wyo., and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. John Lutheran Church, PO Box 774, Palmer, Alaska 99645.

Arrangements entrusted to Legacy Funeral Homes – Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.