Dean Clary

Dean Mitchell Clary, 42, of Wasilla died Oct. 2, 2007, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., following a multi-year battle with an extremely rare blood disorder.

One of four children, Clary was born Oct. 21, 1964, to Loren and Bonnie Clary in Ronan, Mont. He resided in Ronan throughout his childhood, and attended Ronan High School, graduating in 1983. Following high school, Clary attended Missoula Vocational-Technical School and earned a degree in welding technology. For the past 20 years, he has operated heavy equipment in the oil fields of the North Slope of Alaska, recently being promoted to supervisor.

Clary lived in Wasilla with his loving wife, Karen, and their three children, Brooke, 12, Paige, 8, and Kaylee, 7.

Clary was a big game hunter, chasing moose, caribou, musk ox and bighorn sheep across Alaska. He also loved Westerns, especially anything with John Wayne. His No. 1 focus in life was his commitment to “his girls.” Karen, Brooke, Paige and Kaylee were the loves of his life. He adored his daughters and loved attending their soccer games, cheering them on from the sidelines. Together over the past several years his family created memories to last a lifetime, including touring 26 of the 50 United States on an extended vacation, camping and fishing across Alaska, and visiting the Hawaiian islands.

In his family, Clary was respected by his wife and loved by his children for his ability to know just what to say and do for them. He gathered friends wherever he landed and made lasting impacts on their lives. He loved openly and unconditionally in every interaction.

Clary will be lovingly remembered by his best friend and wife, Karen, and their girls, Brooke, Paige, and Kaylee; parents, Loren and Bonnie Clary of Charlo, Mont.; brother, Michael (Kelly) Clary of Minneapolis, Minn.; brother, Mark (Jami) Clary and their three children, Michelle, Christopher and Andrew of Ronan, Mont.; sister, Pam (Darren) Wiese and their three children, Stephanie, Kellin and Courtney of Richardton, N.D.; mother-in-law, Barabra Schiermbock of Sutton; brother-in-law, John Schiermbock and his children, Bo and Johnny of Sutton; sister-in-law, Magen Schiermbock and her children, Ian, Daniel, Jillian and Zeb of Sutton; aunt, Lonna Stevens and her children Brad and Diana of Ronan; aunt and uncle, June and Floyd Kodalen of Great Falls, Mont.; cousins, Kermit Clary and Rick Clary of Ronan; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his four grandparents.

A memorial service is planned from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 13 at American Legion Post 35, 4130 Tweed Court in Wasilla.

The family suggests memorials to Clary in honor of “his girls” be sent to the Dean M. Clary Memorial Fund, c/o Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union, 1020 S. Bailey St, Palmer, AK 99645.

Valley Funeral Homes and Crematory of Wasilla and Palmer assisted the family.