BERT R. VERRALL

Bert R. Verrall, 65, died Nov. 6, 2005, of a heart attack, while hunting for caribou along the Denali Highway.

A 1 p.m. memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 12, at American Legion Post 15, Outer Springer Loop, Palmer. Friends and family are encouraged to attend this celebration of Mr. Verrall's life.

Mr. Verrall was born in Anchorage on Feb. 18, 1940. His mother went into labor at the Fur Rendezvous basketball tournament. Having lived in Palmer his entire life, he always resented being born in Anchorage.

His loved ones wrote, &#8220The only time Bert left the Valley was the 20 years he spent in service to his country with the U.S. Army. He also worked for the Alaska Department of Corrections until he retired in 1995.

&#8220Bert was a loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, and friend. Bert had many lifelong friendships lasting more than 50 years. He held these friendships in the highest regard. Bert was a patriot, woodsman, fisherman and hunter.

&#8220He was a competitor who gave his all no matter if the game was played with a ball or a deck of cards. His family takes comfort in the fact that his last steps on earth were taken quickly and with purpose.”

Mr. Verrall was preceded in death by his brother, David Verrall, and his son, Glen Verrall. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Carol Verrall of Palmer. He is also survived by his brother, Gary Verrall of Laytonville, Calif.; sisters, Bobbie and Russ Walter of Coram, Mont., and Kristi and Ken Hocking of Columbia Falls, Mont.; children, Lou Ann Woods of Anchorage, Bert and Tracy Verrall of Palmer, Andrea Mangus of Manteca, Calif., Rick and Mary Podobnik of Fairbanks, Ron and Ronette Verrall of Santa Rosa, Calif., Jim and Maureen Bennett of Manteca, Calif., and Joe and Joann Hinds of Wasilla. Mr. Verrall leaves 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren who will miss him every day.