Cleo Jeanette Gray

Cleo Jeanette Gray passed away in Wasilla, AK on July 30, 2018. She was 80 years young.

Cleo was born on June 10, 1938 in Minot, North Dakota to Caroll and Betty Hansen.

She was the wife of a veteran and before moving to Wasilla, Alaska in 1964; she also lived on Eielson AFB. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, crossword puzzles and visiting with loved ones, but her passion was being a Foster parent.

The family wrote: "She made each of us feel special and loved unconditionally. Cleo loved big family gatherings. She was feisty, full of life, strict and surly when she needed to be. She was an expert at finding creative ways to provide opportunities for those in challenging situations to better themselves. More than 200 foster kids went through her home. Cleo also loved to travel. She will be very much missed by family and friends."

She is preceded in death by her parents, Caroll and Betty Hansen; husband, David Gray; brother, Robert Hansen; sons, Richard Hoover and Jim Gray; grandson, Ethan Bowman; and granddaughter, Brooke Gray.

She is survived by her sister, Lorraine (Jim) Llopis; brother, Bill (Sandy) Hansen; daughter, De Cyril (Pete); son, Joe Gray (Shari); daughter, Carolyn Carlson; son, Don Gray (Teresa); son, Steven Gray; daughter, Lennie Gray; foster children: Nancy Borgman (Matt), Nicki Jensen (Matt), Becky Hayes (Tony), Ken Hutchinson (Mary), Erica Pennington (Rick), Laura Pilkington; grandchildren: Shirley, Terri, Joey, Jason, Sheyenne, Jeremiah, Lacey, Josh, Jack, Jerod, Boyd, Chandra, Kious, Klara, Tiffanee, BreeAnna, Dustin, Chantel, Kaienne, Lisa, Neil, Wade, Clayton, Desiree, Stephanie, Kristin, David, Amanda, Emily, Danielle, Dawn, Brandy, Kacey, Jake, Angie. She is also survived by several loved nieces & nephews; in addition to 45 great-grandchildren.

Memorial Service in her memory was held Friday - August 10, 2018. Cleo was buried at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery. Pastor Greg McCormick officiated.

Arrangements cared for by Janssen’s Mat-Su Funeral Home.