Edith “Marilla” Manuel

Edith “Marilla” Manuel, 70, died July 19, 2012, at her home in Wasilla.

A celebration of life in Marilla’s memory is at 2 p.m., Aug. 4 at American Legion Post 35 in Wasilla. Marilla will be laid to rest at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.

Marilla was born June 8, 1942, in Cairo, Ill., to Thomas and Edith Thompson. She spent her youth in Gulfport, Miss., where she acquired her love of dance.

She moved to Alaska in August 1966 to be with her husband, Gene. They lived in Anderson from 1966-82, where she opened Marilla’s Studio of Dance as an Arthur Murray Studios instructor. Marilla believed a few dance lessons under the belt would be great for the spirit and prepare one for all the dances ahead.

She lived in Healy from 1982-88, where she expanded her studio to include a spa in the basement of her home. She retired in 1988 from dance and moved to Wasilla.

Surviving are her husband, Gene Manuel; son, Ernie Manuel, wife Corinne and their two children, Sam and Sabrina; and daughter, Jennifer Nunley and husband Rob.

Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory. A guestbook and obituary are online at alaskanfuneral.com.