Eloise R. Hehl

Eloise R. Hehl, 61, of Wasilla, passed away suddenly Jan. 3 at her residence.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday at the Meadow Lakes Christian Center, 1040 N. Pittman Rd., in Wasilla with Pastor James McFarlin officiating.

Eloise was born Dec. 2, 1948 in Jackson, Mich., to Clarence and Lanore (LaMarche) Hoffman.

Eloise’s many hobbies included painting, knitting, crochet, sewing, cooking and baking, decorating cakes and pencil sketching. She was a member of the Family Christian Center.

The family wrote, “She was a beloved mother and was loved and admired by all who knew her. A steadfast lifelong Christian. Best friend and constant companion to her husband of three decades. She was a tomboy at heart who gave of herself to all. Eloise brought joy in many hearts with her pencil sketching at the Wasilla Farmers Market and many craft shows. One, who by her living, showed others the need to never give up or lose hope. She was a loving mother, sister and friend. Her lifelong faith and steadfast belief in God led her to witness to many about the God-given gift of the last three years of her life, allowing her light to lead others in finding peace and strength from her example. John 3:16 ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’”

Mrs. Hehl was preceded in death by her parents; brother Edward Hoffman; and sister Yvonne Crampton.

She is survived by her husband James Hehl of Wasilla; sons, Michael Welch of Wasilla, Jack Welch of Denver, Jean-Paul Rabitaille and his wife, Dawn of Wasilla, Bob Hehl of Kennewick Wash., Jeremy Hehl of Calif.; sisters, Ellen Jardel of Arizona, Carlene Hoon of Wasilla, Andrea Short of Arizona and Denise Langlois of Arizona; brother, Gerard Hoffman of California; sister in-law, Judy Scratch of Florida; brother in-law, Mike Hehl of Thailand; brother in-law, William Hehl of Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Gabriel Rabitaille of Wasilla, Kendra, Jessica and Holly Welch of New York, Liam Welch of Denver, Aaron Hehl of Washington state and Caleb Hehl of California.