Amy Edith Kesanen

Amy Edith Kesanen

96 year young, passed away Tuesday morning, April 30th, 2019, at Mat-Su Regional Hospital as a result of her deteriorating dementia and pneumonia.

Amy was born in Cook, Minnesota, July 31, 1922 to Beatrice Kjellberg Ferguson & Bertram Ferguson. Amy lived all of her early life in Minnesota. Amy & Robert eloped April 10, 1941. A Love story of nearly 75 years at the time of Robert’s passing 2016. Amy reside at Northern Comfort Assisted Living in Wasilla. Summer of 1962, Bob, Amy & children Jim, Donna & Sharon moved to Redding, California. Youngest daughter Kristie was born there and welcomed into a family of teenagers. The family resided in Redding for nine years. Amy, Bob and Kristie moved to Alaska in March 1972 to join family residing in Anchorage and eventually the Mat-Su Valley.

Amy was a true homemaker and the best baker of goodies any grandkid could have! She was respected by all that knew her. She loved her family so deeply and always enjoyed the new babies — grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren, holiday gatherings and time with family and friends. Our family is so grateful to be blessed with this amazing Mother for so many years; she will truly be missed by all.

She is preceded in death by her husband Robert Kesanen, parents, sister Alpha, brothers Ray & Neil Ferguson.

Amy is survived by her son James (Donna) Kesanen of Missouri; daughter Donna (Phil) Aber, Palmer/Wasilla, daughter Sharon (Jack) Jones of Missouri, daughter Kristie Smithers of Palmer. Grandchildren Randy (Shawn) Apling, Steve (Casey) Apling of Wasilla, Gina (Jason) Wilmink of Anchorage, Jason Kesanen of Anchorage, Robert (Tiffany) Jones of Missouri, Ryan (Samantha) VanGorder of Texas, Ellan VanGorder of Washington, Adam Smithers of Palmer. Great Grandchildren Tyler (Alex) Apling of Wasilla, Trisha Apling of Wasilla, Aaron (Parrish) Amber, April, Korbin Wilmink of Anchorage, Brett (Natasha) Jones of Missouri, Mason Van Gorder of Texas. Great Grandchildren Aubree, Jade & Chloe Apling of Wasilla, Spencer Wilmink of Anchorage.

Celebration of Life at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Palmer, Sunday May 19th at 3:30pm.

Private family graveside cremains burial of Amy & Robert at Aurora Cemetery, Wasilla.

Everyone welcome at potluck at the home of Kristie Smithers, Palmer, following Celebration of Life. Please contact Donna Aber @ 232-1525 for directions.

Final arrangements by Janssen Funeral Homes