Anna May Shackelford

Anna May Shackelford, 79, died Sept. 7, 2011, at the Anchorage Pioneer Home. A memorial service is at place at 3 p.m., Sept. 25, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Palmer. A reception will follow with desserts.

Anna May was born to Leslie and Annabelle Pease on July 7, 1932, in Broadus, Montana. She grew up in Miles City, Mont. with two brothers and two sisters and graduated from Custer County High School in 1951. Anna May met her husband, Jim Shackelford, on a blind date. For their third date they were married on the Fourth of July 1952. Anna May began moving around the country as Jim continued with his military career.

They finally settled in Palmer in 1970 with their children Duncan and Cynthia. Anna May was a member of the Emblem Club, Women of the Moose, and the Republican Women’s Club. She devoted countless hours of volunteer work to these organizations and would never turn anyone down when asked to help. She also worked as an election’s official through the years. Anna May joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary with her husband Jim. This involved conventions, assisting with vessel inspections, teaching safe boating classes and water safety classes to children in schools.

Anna May lost her husband in 2003 and shortly thereafter was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Anna May became a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. She also enjoyed bowling, swimming exercise classes and going out to eat until she moved into the Anchorage Pioneer Home in May 2010. Anna May fought the complications of her disease with great strength and courage until her last breath. She joined her husband in heaven the day before his birthday. Burial will take place at a later date with her husband at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.

Surviving are daughter Cynthia Shackelford; son, Duncan Shackelford and his wife Wendi, and their son Braden; granddaughter, Christina Michelsohn and her husband Michael Michelsohn and their daughters Elizabeth and Madison; and a sister, Beverly Molstad in Miles City, Mont.