December 5, 2006

Harold T. ‘Fritz' Hermon

Fritz Hermon, 94, died Nov. 28, 2006, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer, surrounded by loved ones.

He was born Nov. 17, 1912, in Lawrence, Ind., where he graduated from high school and then served in the military until coming to Alaska as a colonist

in 1935.

He was employed by ARRC for several years as a catskinner, clearing land for the other colonists, worked on Fort Richardson from 1941-1943, and helped put in the Glenn Highway. He also owned his own business for several years - Fritz Hermon Dozer Service - and finally retired from the state of Alaska highway department in 1974.

He was well known for his well-witching (dousing), pool playing prowess, and quick wit.

His family reminisced, &#8220Fritz was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, and we were so blessed to have him in our lives. He was always so happy and funny, and enjoyed family get-togethers immensely. He also enjoyed rock and mushroom hunting, card playing, dancing, sweets, gardening and conversations with family and friends. He will be missed so very much.”

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Lorraine; daughter, Sally Swain; daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Bill Bernert, and Connie and Steve Harsh, all of Oregon; stepdaughter and son-in-law, Karen and Jimmie McNeese; stepson and daughter-in-law, Ronald and Judy Aklestad, stepdaughter-in-law, Jane Aklestad; brothers and sister-in-laws, Ben and Eve Hermon, George and Dona Hermon, and Neil and Cathy Hermon, all of Palmer; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-

grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, John Thomas and Jim Hermon; sisters, Doris Fritz and Betty Caan; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Hermon; and stepson Cork Aklestad.

Memorial donations may be directed to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Palmer.

Betty Donn-Newby

Betty Donn-Newby, a longtime Valley resident known as Betty Donn &#822029,” age 77, died Nov. 29, 2006, at home with her family.

A visitation will be 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, 2006, at the Kehl's Palmer Mortuary chapel. The funeral service will start at 3 p.m. The Rev. Michael Hull of Valley Baptist Tabernacle will officiate. Family and friends are invited to join a celebration of life that will follow to celebrate her going to be with the Lord.

She was born May 2, 1929, in Buffalo, N.Y. She moved to Alaska in 1959 with Dick Donn. She is well known for being a hard working, honest woman. She devoted her entire life to her children. She was always there for each and every one of them. Mom will be greatly missed as she was so loved, her family wrote.

She was a member of the Palmer Moose and American Legion. She enjoyed playing bingo and cribbage. She liked to travel, especially to Las Vegas, and she liked watching Westerns on TV and spending time with friends and family.

She was preceded in death by grandsons, Keith Harley Godwin and Kevin Jacob Godwin; and granddaughter, Stephanie Donn.

She is survived by her children, Linda Donn, David Donn, Laura Godwin, Michael Donn, Chuck Donn, JoAnn Donn, Terry Wilkens and Jimmy Donn; along with 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, all of the Valley.

She also is survived by a brother and seven sisters in Buffalo.

Arrangements are with Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.

Emil Stadler

Palmer resident Emil Stadler, 89, died of natural causes on Nov. 25, 2006, at Providence Hospital.

He was born Dec. 8, 1916, in Taylor Creek, Mont. He graduated from Edmond High School in Washington in 1936. He became a resident of Palmer on June 1, 1936, making him a resident for 70 years.

He worked for Lucky Shot Gold Mine in 1936 and for Independence Gold Mine from 1939 to 1941. In December 1941, he enrolled in the U.S. Army until 1945. He worked for Fern Mine from 1946-47, Jones Coal Mine in 1948 until it closed, and the Palmer Pioneer Home as a groundskeeper from 1971 until his retirement in 1980.

His family wrote, &#8220He married Ida Kogele on June 1, 1946, in Seattle, and then came back to Alaska. Emil loved Alaska, flying his plane hunting, fishing, and had a beautiful flower and vegetable garden. He had a large raspberry, potato and strawberry garden on Lazy Mountain, which he shared. Emil had a smile and a wonderful disposition, the best brother we could ever have.”

He is survived by his wife, Ida; sisters, Agnes Barnhill, Bette Walace and Claire Bowman, all of California, and Dorothy Frohlich of Anchorage; brother, Karl Stadler of Washington; and 13 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Katie; father, Emil; brother, Fred; and sister, Marget, all of Washington.

Friends of the Stadlers are invited to attend a celebration of life that will take place at the Palmer Senior Citizens Center Inc., 831 S. Chugach St., in Palmer at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006.

A memorial service was held at Fort Richardson National Cemetery on Friday, Dec. 1. Memorial donations may be sent to Palmer Senior Citizens Center Inc., 831 S. Chugach St., Palmer, AK 99645.

Lori Lyman

Lori Lyman died peacefully on Dec. 1, 2006 at the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer. She was 53 years young and was born on May 20, 1953, in Palmer.

She spent all of her life in Alaska and will be deeply missed by her surviving family: husband, Pat Lyman; daughter and son-in-law, Deon and Tavis MacMillan; granddaughters, Taryn, Camryn and Lauryn MacMillan; mother, Joyce Motzkus; sister and brother-in-law, Lynne and Dee Woods; brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Barb Leppanen; nieces, Marnice Marshall and Chelsea Leppanen; nephews, Russell Woods and John Leppanen; uncle, John Spokes; and aunts, Joy Spokes and Vivian Voelker.

She retired from the state of Alaska in 1994, where she worked at the Pioneer Home and Plant Materials Center.

She spent her free time caring for family and loving the outdoors every moment that she could. She enjoyed gardening, working in the yard and fixing great food for all of her family and friends, and she especially liked her fishing.

Memorial donations can be made on her behalf to the Alzheimer's Association at 1750 Abbott Road, Anchorage,

AK 99507.

A service in her memory will be held in the summer of 2007. Information will be provided through invitation and in the newspaper. For additional information, contact Pat Lyman at (907) 376-2354 or Deon MacMillan at (907) 458-8963.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.

Rachel Lynn Ferree

A memorial service for Rachel Lynn Ferree is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Chapel on Bogard Road next to Wasilla High School.

The service will be in the Religious Society Room. She passed away Nov. 30, 2006, in Billings, Mont.All friends and family who would like to pay their respects are invited.

Ken Westland

Ken Westland, 72, died Nov. 22, 2006, at Providence Hospital surrounded by his family. A celebration of life potluck will 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 15, 2006, at the Hangar Lounge at the Big Lake Motel in Big Lake.

He was born at home July 10, 1934, in Lake Stevens, Wash. He graduated from Arlington High School.

In 1975, he moved to Alaska, living in Fairbanks in 1975, Nenana in 1976, Sitka from 1977-1978, Ketchikan from 1982-1984, and Big Lake from 1984 to present.

He owned his own logging company in Washington state. He was a former deputy sheriff and patrolman in Missouri, heavy equipment operator, mechanic, and principal-owner of Big Lake Security. In 1996, he retired from the state of Alaska.

Some of his hobbies included trapping, hunting, fishing and spending time with family and friends.

His wife, Marlene, said, &#8220He was the love of my life. His children, grandchildren and all of his friends will miss him deeply, along with his beloved Chihuahuas.”

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Marlene of Big Lake; son, Ken Westland of Anchorage; son, Michael Westland of Anchorage; son and daughter-in-law, Erick and Beth Westland of Big Lake; daughter, Nicole Westland of Anchorage; daughter and son-in-law, Annette and Ray Chvastasz of Wasilla; daughter, Samantha Westland of Chicago; grandson, Terry Keel of Big Lake; grandson, Conner Westland of Big Lake; grandson, Jacob Chvastasz of Wasilla; granddaughter and her husband, Jamie and Brandon Burton of Wasilla; granddaughter, Cheree Keel of Big Lake; granddaughter, Emilie Chvastasz of Wasilla; great-granddaughter, Shayne Casquiera of Big Lake; sister, Pat Reitz of Arlington, Wash.; sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Nels Williamson of Lake Stevens; sister, Sharon Beckner; sister and brother-in-law, Gwen and Carl Williamson of Snohomish, Wash.; sister and brother-in-law, Gail and Jack Alseth; brother, Steve Westland; brother and sister-in-law, Brian and Wendy Westland of Granite Falls, Wash.; many friends, and extended family in Big Lake and many nieces and nephews across the United States.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.

Madonna Brummer

Madonna Brummer, 68, died Dec. 2, 2006, at her home in Wasilla of lung cancer.

A public viewing will be Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Kehl's Palmer Mortuary, 209 S. Alaska St., Palmer. A funeral mass will be Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1201 Bogard Road, Wasilla. The Rev. Kaspar Mallavarapu will officiate. Interment will be at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.

She was born March 28, 1938, in St. Paul, Minn.

She came to Alaska in 1963. She lived in Anchorage from 1963-1982, then she moved to Seward and lived there from 1982-1999.

In 1999, she moved to the Wasilla Senior Center, where she lived until her death. She was a mother and a homemaker.

She is survived by her husband, Donald Brummer; sons, Jeff Brummer of Wasilla, Danny Brummer of Anchorage, Mitch Brummer of Wasilla and

Larry Brummer of Wasilla; daughters, Lois Walker of Brewster, Wash., Mary Flemming of Raymond, Wash., Florine Fetters of Anchorage and Kathy Barenburg of Wasilla; 24

grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sacred Heart Catholic School Fund, Archdiocese of Anchorage/Valley School Fund, 225 Cordova St., Anchorage, AK 99501.

Arrangements are with Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.

June Moore

June Moore, 83, died Nov. 24, 2006, in Sutton. She was born in Iowa on June 8, 1922, to William and Frances Walters and had a brother, Roland.

She came to Fairbanks in 1947 with her daughter Sandra (then McDaniel).

She quickly became a dog mushing champion, then pilot, then a homesteader and eventually a big game hunter with her husband, Avery, under Polar Star Guides. Together they owned the Mentasta Lodge for many years.

In retirement, she moved to Sutton, and continued to hunt when she could.

She was deeply committed to Alaska and could truly be called a pioneer.

On hearing of her passing her grandson mused, &#8220She did it her way.”

She will be missed by many.

She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Maurer of LaQuinta, Calif.; grandson, Erich; and great-grandson, Daniel, both of Portland, Ore.

Arrangements are with Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.