ERNEST L. KITTER

Wasilla resident Ernest Lee Kitter, 62, died of a sudden illness July 24, 2005, at Valley Hospital in Palmer.

A memorial service took place at 3 p.m., Wednesday, July 27, at Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla, with Lisa Kitter officiating. A celebration of life followed at 4:30 p.m. at the Mat-Su Resort, off Bogard Road in Wasilla. His ashes will be scattered along the Denali Highway.

Mr. Kitter was born March 13, 1943, in Alpena, Mich. He moved to Wasilla in 1974. In 1975, he became an Alaska Teamster; he retired from the organization in March 2000. He was a member of the Elks Lodge in Palmer and enjoyed hunting, fishing and prospecting.

His family wrote, "Ernest had many friends throughout the Valley and will be best remembered for his willingness to offer a helping hand to anyone who needed it."

His sisters, Bonnie Walker and Delores Anderson, and brothers, Ervin and Glen Kitter, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Scott and Erica Kitter and Todd and Doreen Kitter, all of Wasilla; daughter, Lisa Kitter of Scottsdale, Ariz.; grandchildren, Brett, Gabe and Bryna Kitter of Wasilla and Brenden Dilley of Mesa, Ariz.; great-granddaughter, Sophia Rose Dilley of Mesa, Ariz.; wife, Clorise "Squeak" Kitter of Wasilla; stepchildren, Tabitha Miller of Anchorage, Joseph Lightfoot and Shantel Day of Wasilla; step-grandchildren, Christopher, Damie, Brittany and Devin; brothers, Boyden Kitter of Alpena, Mich., and Garry Kitter of Hemlock, Mich., and sisters, Shirley Pinkle of Alpena, Mich., and Gail Vance of Saginaw, Mich.

Donations may be made to the Elks USA Lodge #1842, 2600 N. Barry's Resort Dr., Wasilla, AK 99654. Arrangements are with Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.