DAWN C. BENTLEY

Wasilla resident Dawn Corina Bentley, 35, died of an aneurysm at her home, on Feb. 17, 2005. Visitation was scheduled for 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 24, at the First Baptist Church in Wasilla. A funeral service was scheduled to follow at 7 p.m., with Pastor Fred Stroud officiating.

Ms. Bentley was born July 21, 1969 in Contra Costa County, Calif. She moved with her family to Wasilla in 1971, where she graduated from Wasilla High School and attended Mat-Su College. She was employed as manager of Bob's Mini Market in Big Lake. She loved nature and enjoyed berry picking as a hobby.

Her family wrote, "Big Lake was more than a home to Dawn - it was a part of her family, her calling. She was more than a helper there, she was a healer. Friends and family have been blessed with her presence for 35 years - from her beautiful smile, her warm eyes with wisdom far beyond her years and a voice that will never cease to be heard. Her son, Anthony, was her life and she lives on in him."

She is survived by her son, Anthony Bentley; parents, Dave and Suzanne Bentley; brothers, David and Billy Bentley; sisters, Jessica Smith and Michelle Hopkins; grandmother, Janet Hull and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a trust fund on behalf of her son, Anthony Bentley, at P.O. Box 871178, Wasilla, AK 99687-1178. Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.