Denise Faye Gillen

Denise Faye Gillen

Long time Palmer resident, 61, passed peacefully in her sleep at her home October 15th, 2019.

Denise was born January 25th 1958 in Minot North Dakota. She moved to Billings Montana in 1974 where she attended and graduated from Billings Senior High School. She moved to Alaska in 1984. In 1989 she reconnected with her long time friend Mel Gillen in Eagle River, AK. Hence forward they were always together they married December 31st 2002. Denise ran the UAA mailroom for 15 years before retiring to help take care of her grandchildren. Denise enjoyed spending time camping and boating in the Alaska wilderness, and vacationing in warm places with her family. Denise was very proud of the work she and her garden club did for the Alaska State Fair, creating beautiful flower displays and keeping the plants and flowers watered. She also loved growing her own beautiful flowers, winning several blue ribbons at the Alaska State Fair.

She is survived by her husband Mel Gillen, her son, Josh Vialpando and daughter Amber Hellman and grandchildren Aspen, Willow, Savanna and Dakota Vialpando, and Tristen and Trinity Pendergrass, sisters, Diane Weros, Debra Sjolseth and husband Randy Dahl, Michelle Oster and husband Dale (Harry) Harris, brothers, Dean and wife Sherri Sjolseth and Melven (Todd) and wife Stacy Oster, and many nieces and nephews.

Denise was preceded in death by her father Leo Sjolseth, mother Vivian and stepfather Mel Oster, brother Donald Sjolseth and sister Delray Perkins.

A celebration of life will be held at the Norvig-Martin family residence in Eagle River, AK Saturday November 9th at 4pm please RSVP to (907) 360-5212 for address.

Her family has asked that in Lieu of flowers, please plant something pretty in her honor.