ARMAND ERNEST KOLBERG

Palmer resident Armand Ernest Kolberg, 71, died peacefully on July 20, 2003, at his home in Palmer after a long courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family.

A funeral service will be held today at St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer at 1 p.m. A viewing will occur prior to the service from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the church. Graveside services will then take place at Valley Memorial Gardens. A celebration of life will begin at the home of Mike and Julie McLain at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Mr. Kolberg was born on June 6, 1932, in Wrightstown, Wis., to Henry A. and Alma M. Kolberg. He attended school in Fern, Wis.

He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1951 and was honorably discharged in 1954 at the rank of sergeant. He received numerous meritorious awards during his service in the Korean War.

He resided in the Palmer area, arriving just weeks prior to the 1964 earthquake.

He was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church, VFW Post 2509, Moose Lodge 793, and American Legion Post 15, serving as Western District commander, baseball chairman and executive committeeman.

His loves in life included his wife Rose Ann, family and friends. His passions were working for the church, helping others, gardening, fishing, hunting, every aspect of the outdoors and construction.

He retired from the Carpenters' Union Local 1281 in 1990. He supervised numerous building projects throughout the state. A few of these include the JC Penny and 5th Avenue parking garages and skywalk, Captain Cook Hotel, Houston Jr/Sr High, Palmer High, Tanaina Elementary School, Palmer and Anchorage Pioneers' Homes, Valley Hospital, Palmer Correctional Facility, Providence Hospital, Nordstrom's and countless other landmarks throughout Alaska.

His family wrote, "Armand, you are a part of us all, our rock and leader. You will be deeply missed."

He is survived by Rose Ann, his wife of 45 years; daughter and son-in-law, Jody and Murray Fenton of Soldotna; sons and daughters-in-law, Harvey and Jackie Kolberg, Armand M. and Julie Kolberg, and David and Wendy Kolberg of Palmer; grandchildren, Allison, Kyle, Kelsey, Michael, Kalen, Jamie, Sandra, Zachary, Megan and Konnor; brothers Wayne Kolberg and John Voss; sisters and brothers-in-law Romaine and Russell Seefeldt, Marge and Jim LeMay, Helen Baken, Sharon and Richard Julian, Lois and Andrew Hanson, Karen and Robert Palzewicz; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Mr. Kolberg was preceded in death by his parents Henry A. and Alma Kolberg; brothers Henry Jr. and Harvey; sisters Colleen, Donna, Glenda, Sandra and Patricia; brother-in-law Gene Baken; and sister-in-law, Dolly Kolberg.

Valley Funeral Home and St. John Lutheran Church are handling the arrangements.