David Ford Wasankari

David Ford Wasankari, 65, passed away Oct. 23 at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center from complications from pneumonia. He was born in Port Angeles, Wash., on Aug. 12, 1944, the son of Albert and Mildred (Ford) Wasankari. He attended schools in Forks, Wash., and a technical school in Tacoma, Wash.

Dave worked for M.R. Smith shingle mill in Beaver Wash., drove a Union Oil truck in Forks and drove a logging truck for Spoelstra Brothers before owning and operating his own shake mill in Forks.

He enjoyed gardening and competing with his wife to determine who made the better stew. He used venison, she used beef, and they both claimed victory. Dave was also an avid fisherman, enjoying both river and ocean fishing. He could hardly wait for deer and elk hunting season. He also enjoyed working with clocks of birdseye maple and coffee tables of his own design. Dave loved to dance, especially to Credence Clearwater Revival and recently he and Sue began playing guitar which helped make the long Alaska winter nights seem not so dreary.

Dave was so proud of his Finnish heritage and was continually updating information from his cousin, Beverly Porter Simmons of Port Angeles, Wash. He collected stories from his father, aunts and uncles and repeated with great humor the more hilarious ones.

He met his wife in high school when he was 16 and she was only 15. They went together four years and married on July 11, 1964. He entered the 4th of July Demolition Derby in what people believe was the fist demo track in 1965-1966 in Larry Palmer’s field in Forks. Good Memories! His love of Corvettes led him to purchase one for $1,200, a 1960 Honduras Maroon black interior “beauty.” One of his friends at work reported that Mom was driving past Anderson Motors at 110 mph. “Not true!” claimed Mom, who said she was only going 109 mph. At any rate, Dave sold it a week later. He later bought Camaros and turned them into high performance cars with incredible horsepower until his arthritis forced him to quit. His love for his children and grandchildren was well-known and each had a special nickname.

Dave is survived by his devoted wife, Sue (Beckwith) Wasankari; daughter, Julie Decker of Moses Lake, Wash.; son, Scott Wasankari of Wasilla, son, Jonathan “Nick” Wasankari and his wife Sammy of Forks; son, David Wasankari and wife Amber of Yelm, Wash.; grandchildren, Joel and Jasalyn Decker of Moses Lake, Wash., Sierra, Trinity and Dahlton Wasankari of Glennallen, Nickolas, Justin and Kierra Wasankari of Forks, and Alexa, and Jax Wasankari of Yelm, Wash.; sister, Patti Foster of Port Angeles, Wash.; and brother, Richard Wasankari of Kennewick, Wash.

He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Steven Wasankari; nephew, Stevie Wasankari; brother-in-law, Jim Foster; and baby sister, Caroline Mae Wasankari.

Services will be planned for late fall in Forks. Cards of sympathy or remembrance may be mailed to the funeral home, and will be forwarded to the family. Arrangements are with Valley Funeral Home, 151 E. Herning Ave., Wasilla, AK 99654.