Frank E. Sandstrom

Longtime Wasilla resident Frank E. Sandstrom, 93, passed away Feb 28, 2014.

Frank was born July 17, 1920, in Seattle, Wash., to Elmer and Mary Carlson Sandstrom. In 1921, they moved to Anchorage, where Frank spent his growing-up years. His dad left the family when Frank was only 5, so he grew up with his mom working, leaving him on his own a lot. Entering school was hard for him as he spoke mostly Finnish, yet he made progress as his mom hired some high school kids to help him.

By age 18, he had a step-dad who looked out for him, taking him on his first job as a laborer in the Fern mine at Hatcher Pass. In later years, he went with his step-dad, John Hill, to gold claims at Cash Creek near Talkeetna. He is mentioned in the book “A Perfect Crime in Alaska” as he and his step-dad narrowly escaped death. His step-dad had a keen sense of danger taking Frank and leaving quickly, never to return.

Over the next years, even after losing his step-dad, his best friend, in 1954, Frank kept in the mining business. A break in that type of work came when Frank worked for the Alaska Railroad for about 12 years as a crane operator in the building of the Hurricane Gulch Bridge until 1947. In 1960-61 he worked as 0-4 Caterpillar operator again in the mining operations. He moved to Wasilla in 1962, where he worked on several jobs from carpentry to repairing old airplanes.

To meet Frank was to love him as he won his way into many hearts, be it neighbors, church friends, children who he loved, service station owners, clerks at the bank or store, his medical providers, caregivers and his assisted-living attendants. He will be remembered by young and the old for his kindness and his many colorful stories of life as a child, his years in different mines and as a heavy-duty operator.

Before there were many roads he flew places with Don Sheldon and knew him and other early pilots. As a young boy, he spent many hours watching pilots such as Russ Merrill come and go at Merrill Field, as his home was close by. He was a walking history of Anchorage, which included many stories with names and events of the past.

Frank had no known living relatives and was preceded in death by his parents and his life partner, Margaret Johnson.

According to his wishes, his ashes will be buried with her at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery. He leaves close friends who had become his family and with whom he spent many holidays and gatherings. A memorial celebration of his life is at 2 p.m., March 14 at Valley Funeral Home, 151 E. Heming Ave., Wasilla. Pastor Paul and Helen Riley will officiate. All are welcome to attend.