George S. Ante Sr.

Pioneer Alaskan George Sherman Ante Sr, 77, of Chugiak, died Friday, Dec. 7, 2007, at his home of heart failure.

Ante was born Sept. 18, 1930 in Ashland, Wis., to George Edward and Grace Elizabeth (Allen) Ante. He grew up in Ashland, graduating from high school in 1948. He worked at various family businesses including The Ante Store, ambulance service, and taxi company. His finest memories were trapping muskrat and mink while helping at his Uncle Bill's cabin rentals on Lake Superior. He served in the US Navy during the Korean War aboard the USS Coral Sea from 1948 to 1952. In 1952, he ventured to the Territory of Alaska settling in Kodiak, and worked as a civilian heavy equipment operator at the Kodiak Naval Base.

On Aug. 15, 1957 George married Lois Jean Krichbaum in Kodiak.The family moved to Peters Creek in 1960. As a heavy equipment operator, a member of Local 302 from 1960 until retiring in 1985, George worked on various construction projects, building highways throughout Alaska.He was an active parishioner of St. Andrew Catholic Church, a member of the Elks Club, American Legion and VFW Post 9785.

His family wrote: “Tracing his family genealogy was his truest passion; bringing him on a journey to Ireland and Germany meeting distant relatives. He was very social, helping organize a morning coffee group in Eagle River. George always had a friendly smile on his face and twinkle in his eye. He was a true Alaskan, always willing to lend a hand.”

George is survived by Lois of Bellingham, Wash.; two sons, George, Jr, Eagle River; Bill (Christy), Anchorage; five daughters, Alex (Amir) Ante-Marandi, Dacula, Ga., Grace Churchill, Chugiak, Caroline Ante, Bellingham, Wash., Jean (Jay) Graybill, Custer, Wash., and Martha (Charlie) Summerfield, Wasilla; 18 grandchildren: Matthew, Ahsamon, Settareh and Ava Ante-Marandi; Crystal, George, and Valarie Ante; Tiffany and Michael Churchill; Travis, Tyler, and Tristen Graybill; Trevor, Trent, Tricia, and Triaena Summerfield; Bryant and Abigail Ante, two great-grandchildren, Cohen and Laila; two sisters, Jean Habas, Park Falls, Wis., Janice Morrison, Ashland, Wis.; and one brother, Robert Ante, Ashland, Wis.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, James.

A Mass of Christian Burial was said Thursday, Dec. 13 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Palmer with the Rev. Father Thomas Brundage officiating. Military Honors were provided by VFW Post 9785. Interment was in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Wasilla.

The family prefers memorials to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 530 Dexter Ave N. Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98109 An online guestbook can be signed at www.alaskacremation.com