Fredrick Hans Elvsaas

Fredrick Hans Elvsaas, a respected Seldovia Elder and Tribal Leader, passed away on Sept. 25, 2017, at his home in Seldovia. A celebration of his life and community potluck will be Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Tribal Conference Center in Seldovia. Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.

Elvsaas was the Seldovia Native Association President and chair of Southcentral Foundation's Traditional Healing Elder's Counsel from 1999-2011. Elvsaas was born May 28, 1933, in Seldovia, Alaska to Herman and Agnes (Ponchene) Elvsaas. He was a lifelong commercial fisherman and a proud Alaska Native advocate. In his life, he served the public in many capacities but none that brought him as much pride as being President and CEO of the Seldovia Native Association Inc. from its founding until his retirement. He was a former CIRI board member, chief of police, school board member, Tribal Chief, City council member, and federal subsistence council board member. Elvsaas provided for his family starting in the early days of the crab fishing and at the family fish camp in upper Cook Inlet. He spent the best and worst days of his life at Kustatan and raised all of his children and grandchildren with his wife Gladys along the shores of Redoubt Bay in the summers.

He always longed to get back to Kustatan; it was his motivation in later years to go there one last time. It was Elvsaas' wishes that his ashes be laid to rest at Kustatan where he spent so many years surrounded by family and friends. He will be truly missed.

He was preceded in death by his father, Herman Magnus Elvsaas; mother, Agnes Elvsaas; wife, Gladys Elvsaas: sisters, Suzanne Keezer, Loucairia Hampton, Patreena Getty, Inga Cafferey and brothers, Allen Elvsaas and Peter Elvsaas, Children Allen Elvsaas, Ruth Elvsaas, Judith Peterson, and Joyce West.

He is survived by his brother, Herman Magnus Elvsaas of Seattle, Wash.; sons, Fredrick S. Elvsaas, Sr. of Anchorage, Boy Dexter Ogle of Homer and Leonard Ogle of Washington; grandchildren, Paula Elvsaas of Seldovia, Cindy Peterson and Marylyn, both of Kenai, Bobby Towne of Anchorage, John West of Kenai, Amber West of Tennessee, Fred S. "Bear" Elvsaas, Jr. of Wasilla, Keneth Ogle and Alaina Ogle, both of Homer, Cindy and Dawn Ogle, both of Washington, and Hoyt Ogle of Anchorage.