Bernadette Carson

Bernadette Rose “Bunny” Carson, 76, died at her Wasilla home on March 12, 2008 from congestive heart failure. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at First Presbyterian Church of Wasilla, 1375 E. Bogard Road. The Rev. Henry Woodall and the Rev. Bert Hall will officiate. Carson’s ashes will be scattered over the family farm at a later date.

She was born Feb. 7, 1932, in Zeeland, ND. She came to Alaska in 1955, and lived in Anchorage, in Fairbanks from 1970 to 1976, and in Wasilla at the time of her death. She was a full-time homemaker, mother and grandmother. She was a member of the Wasilla Homemakers Family and Community Education, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and the American Legion. She volunteered for the Red Cross, voter registration, and was a hospital candy striper. She enjoyed bingo, ceramics, gardening and helping manage the family farm.

Her husband said, “My wife and best friend was a very sweet, kind, compassionate and generous lady. She was especially kind to pets and chickens. Her capacity for forgiveness knew no boundaries. She lived by the ‘Golden Rule’ her entire life and taught that to her children. She always made everyone who came into her life and home feel very much loved and welcomed. Her passing will leave an emptiness that will never be filled. We will hold her in our hearts and memories forever. Her pain and suffering is finally over. Heaven has surely gained by our loss.”

She was preceded in death by her sons George John Frohlich and Frank Arthur Joseph Frohlich; granddaughter Lisa Marie McIntosh; and special friend and bingo buddy Melvin Allen Gambel.

Survivors are her spouse of 48 years, James H. Carson of Wasilla; daughters and son-in-law Deborha M. McMahon of Hawaii, and Crystal C. and Daryl Shoup of Wasilla; son and daughter-in-law Thomas E. and Ellen Frohlich of Anchorage; sister Bernice Rimstead of Tacoma, Wash., niece Jolene Kanick of Tacoma; granddaughters Aurora Rose McMahon of Wasilla, Ariel Roberta McMahon of Bozeman, Mont., Kortnie R. Frohlich of Anchorage, Amanda Shoup of Anchorage; grandsons James T. Frohlich of Anchorage, Mathieu G. Frohlich of Las Vegas, Frank R. J. Frohlich of New Jersey, Justin Shoup of California; and great-grandson Justin K. McIntosh of Seattle, Wash.; and many other family members and friends she dearly loved and who loved her.

Memorial bequests may be made to Mat Valley Dog Rescue, HC 35, Box 5423, Wasilla 99654.

Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel & Crematory.