Emil August Waldal

Emil August Waldal, 85, of Palmer, died of natural causes on Jan. 21, 2014, at the Alaska Veterans and Palmers Home. Private graveside services were Jan. 31 at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery.

Emil was born July 25, 1928, in Juneau. In 1942, the family moved to Anchorage and then settled in Palmer in 1946, graduating from Palmer High School in 1947. In 1950, Emil was inducted into the Army and discharged in 1956 as Sgt. Emil A. Waldal. He served in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Whittier. Emil was a DJ while in the Army.

After the Army he was employed as a butcher for Piggly-Wiggly’s and the D and A Market in Palmer. Later he worked at the commissary at Fort Richardson until his retirement. Emil received many awards for his years of service there.

He enjoyed bird watching and watching sports on TV. In his younger years, he was a star basketball player at Palmer High School. He also played in the city leagues.

Emil was a quiet man who would do anything for anybody. He had a special closeness with his grandfather August DeRoux, who came to Skagway in 1897 for the Gold Rush. As a boy, Emil spent many summers at Admiralty Island at the “DeRoux Compound” with all the DeRoux family. His favorite moment of his 85 years came when he met his wife, Louise, at the Purple Bubble Ball at the Palmer Elks Club. They were introduced by close friend Harold Dunn. They were a loving couple and kept the neighborhood birds fed for many years. He was an awesome uncle to his two nieces, Joann and Toni Utt, who always said, “Emil was our favorite Uncle.”

Emil was survived by his niece, JoAnn Utt of Palmer; sister, Arden Keeley of Washington; DeRoux cousins of Juneau, Oregon and Washington; cousin, John Riemer and wife Diana of California; and special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Louise; sister, Carmen Utt; and niece Toni Utt.

The family suggests donations be made to an animal charity of your choice.

Valley Funeral Home cared for arrangements.