Emmy Sophie Havemeister

Long-time Palmer resident Emmy Sophie Havemeister, 97, died at her home surrounded by her family on March 14, 2002.

A memorial service will be held at the Palmer Highway Church of God, 349 E. Arctic Ave. in Palmer at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 21, 2002.

Mrs. Havemeister's son-in-law, Rev. Paul Riley will officiate at service.

Mrs. Havemeister was born April 25, 1904, in Lunden, Germany. She completed school through the 8th grade in Germany. She resided in Michigan for a short time before coming to Alaska. Her Alaska residency began when she moved to the Mat-Su Valley as a colonist in 1935.

She was a farmer and housewife and had worked for Mrs. Harrington in Palmer as a housekeeper and Nanny until 1969. She attended the Palmer Highway Church of God in Palmer. She became a member of the Assembly God Church in 1952.

Her hobbies and special interest included housekeeping, cooking for people, picking berries, gardening, singing and playing the piano.

Her family said, "Emmy lived to take care of and serve her family. She loved to spoil her grandchildren. She was a sharp card player and thrifty shopper. She loved Alaska and the Mat-Su Valley, often stating 'there was no better place in the world.' Because of her perseverance, the original colony farm is still in active operation today."

She is preceded in death by her husband Arnold H. Havemeister, who died in September 1942.

Surviving Mrs. Havemeister are her daughters and sons-in-law, Helen and Paul Riley and Annie and Charles McCorkle; son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Jean Havemeister, of Palmer; grandchildren, Paula Campbell and her husband David, Howard Riley and his wife Sue of Palmer, Wanda McGraw and husband Tim of Madera, Calif., Todd Havemeister and wife Cindy of Florida, Ty and Bobby and Bobby's wife Franci of Palmer, Jimmy and wife Joanna of Palmer, Steve Meehan of Wasilla, Lenora Meehan of Kenai; great-grandchildren, Jeremiah Campbell in the US. Army in Georgia, Jesse Campbell of Palmer, Kipp and Sean Riley of Palmer, Alicia McGraw of Palmer, Jonathan and Katrina McGraw of Madera, Calif., Aimee A'Lise, Travis and Ayslan Havemeister of Palmer, Jenna Havemeister of Florida, Kirsten Meehan of Kenai, Lisa, Wade, Neal and Clayton Meehan of Wasilla, and Misty Meehan of Palmer.

Arrangements by Valley Funeral Home of Wasilla.