Flora Goldene Neal

Flora Goldene Neal, 89 — known as Goldene to her friends — died June 23, 2011, in Wasilla.

Goldene was born in Payson, Ariz., and married Harry Curtis Neal (Tim) in 1940. After moving many, many times to a variety of places around the country, they headed to Alaska to homestead in Wasilla, where they raised three daughters — Florene Joy, Shirley Lee and Nancy Ann.

After trading Goldene’s new Ford Fairlane for a bulldozer to clear land, Tim pushed a driveway in to where they would build a log cabin and raise their family. The driveway they dozed is now called Vine Road and the log cabin still stands on their homestead land. Goldene and her daughters were on their own as Tim did iron work around the state. They grew a large garden, raised chickens and did lots of canning in the summer months to stock up for the long winters.

Goldene was active in the American Legion and traveled, though her favorite things were being home, reading, gardening and spending time with her family and friends.

She is survived by her three daughters and their families, Florene and Doug Carney and their children Michele (Carney) Overstreet, Lisa (Carney) Humphreys and Chris Carney; Shirley and Fred Nunley and their children Joy Lynn Nunley McCavit, Tim Robert and David Nunley; Nancy Cherry and her children Karissa Zimin, Ryan Cherry and Daisy (Cherry) Ray.

She is survived by her great-grandchildren, Elliana Overstreet, Katie and Max McCavit; Rye and Reed Humphreys; Braden, Bradley and Janae Nunley; Sean, Devin and Raeley Carney; Angel Dwyer, Kylie Bailey, Ocean Zimin, Keegan Dube, Jacobi Cherry; and Grayson and Aurora Ray.

A memorial service in honor of Goldene is at American Legion Post No. 35 at 1 p.m., Saturday with a potluck following services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mat-Su Regional Hospice, 950 E. Bogard Road, Suite 132, Wasilla, AK 99654.

Valley Funeral Home and Crematory of Wasilla cared for the family.