Goldie E. Klein

Longtime Alaskan Goldie E. Klein, 97, died peacefully Oct. 12, 2013, with family by her side.

She was born in Breezewood, Penn., attended a one-room country school and loved to work on the farm with her grandparents.

She married Joseph E. Klein in 1936 and they moved to different places, and in 1949 they packed the station wagon and two children, Dennis and Priscilla, and headed to Alaska. They settled in Eagle River and opened a Chevron station. Goldie gave birth to their last child, Reggie Sue, in 1954.

She decided to go to work on the military bases, where in 1976 she retired from the Corps of Engineers. Joe and Goldie retired to Palmer, but after the death of her husband she moved back to Eagle River. In 2002, she wanted to be a snowbird, so she traveled south for six months and lived with Reggie for six months. In 2010, she decided to be with her daughter full-time. In 2011 she gave up driving and we labeled her “Driving Miss Goldie.”

She was an angel by everyone’s definition. Goldie loved the Lord and it showed in her everyday walk. She could still recite the 23rd Psalm by memory. She told us all, “I’m ready to meet the Lord.”

Goldie is survived by her son, Dennis E. Klein; daughter, Reggie Sue Joy and son-in-law Austin Jay Joy; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Goldie was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Klein; and daughter, Priscilla Gilbreath.

Services are at 1 p.m., Nov. 3 at Hillside Baptist Church, 5200 O’Malley Rd., in Anchorage with a potluck to follow. Flowers can be sent to the church or 5899 Ravens Roost Circle, Anchorage, AK 99516.