Charlotte Mae Howarth (Belden) Palmer

Charlotte Mae Howarth (Belden) Palmer, 88, met her Savior Aug. 17, 2013, at Primrose Retirement Home in Wasilla, surrounded by her family.

She was born March 7, 1925, in Newkirk, Okla., to Arthur and Opal Howarth. Charlotte attended Arkansas City High School where she met and later married Melvin (Mel) Belden. They were married July 27, 1942, in San Francisco, Calif.

Charlotte and Mel moved to Anchorage in 1952. In 1958, they were the original homesteaders on Hollywood and Vine Road, in Wasilla. Charlotte was a beloved wife and mother, as well as an accomplished homemaker and seamstress who shared her skills with many. She enjoyed family, friends, cards, crafts, games and playing a good prank. She was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and American Legion Auxiliary, Wasilla Post.

One of her last statements was, “The joke is on you kids, you will have to go through all my junk. This is a good time of the year to have a yard sale.”

Surviving are her four sons, five daughters and their spouses, Melvin Eugene (Reggie) Belden, David (Karen) Belden, Connie Landowski, Ronnie (Lynda) Belden, Joyce Snider, Floyd (Rosemary) Belden, Cheryl Belden, Kathryn (Brian) Grandorff and Kristy (Karl) Harvey; siblings, Don Howard, Wilma Jean Tate, Carol Daulton and Patty Newell; more than 100 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and former husband, Charles Palmer.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Arthur and Opal Howarth; husband, Melvin Belden; son, Dennis Belden; and brother, Arthur.

Memorial and celebration of life services is at 2 p.m., Aug. 24 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 501 Bogard Road, Wasilla. Reception is to follow.

Charlotte will be greatly missed by all of her family and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla cared for arrangements.