Aline Elizabeth Rusnak

Aline Elizabeth Rusnak, 87, entered into rest on Jan. 1, 2014, at Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage. A funeral mass is at 1p.m., Jan. 10 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1201 E. Bogard Road in Wasilla. Fr. Scott Garrett will officiate. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery sometime in late spring.

Aline was born Nov. 23, 1926, in Louisville, Colo. She graduated high school, married and the family eventually moved to Alaska in September 1964. The family lived for 15 years in Nunaka Valley before Aline moved to Wasilla. She worked 25 years for The National Bank of Alaska and retired in 2001. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wasilla. She collected bells and loved her peonies. She loved to be outside gardening in the sun.

Her family wrote, “Mom loved all animals and our house was known as ‘The Rusnak Menagerie’ growing up. She was tough. Mom was a survivor; life was not always easy for her. Four of her six children and one grandchild preceded her in death. Still, she was able to be a loving and caring human being and a devoted mother. Mom loved going to church and was active in their prayer chain. No matter what else was going on, Mom always had a quip and a hug to make you smile. She is greatly missed.”

She is survived by her son, James M. Rusnak of Wasilla; daughter, Theresa Rusnak Rainey of Eagle River; grandchildren, Chad Rusnak of Portland, Ore., Elizabeth A. Weyant of Anchorage, Stephanie Humphreys and Terry Warden of Wasilla; and great-grandchildren, Trinity, Jasmyne, Autumn, Brooke and Floyd Humphreys of Wasilla.

The family asks that donations be made to Sacred Heart Church, 1201 Bogard Road, Wasilla, AK 99577; Clare House, a 501(c)(3), at 563-4545) or cssalaska.org, ref: Aline E. Rusnak; AWAIC, a 501(c)(3), at awaic.org or text AWAIC to 41444, ref: Aline E. Rusnak.

Arrangements entrusted to Legacy Witzleben Chapel in Anchorage. To share words of comfort with the family, visit legacyalaska.com.