Goodbye, Vi

April 9, 2006

DAWN DE BUSK

Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA - &#8220Your dignity, courage and strength never wavered. Your strength made it easy for me to be strong. Your heart and toughness is as big as this state.”

With those words, Barbara Redington honored her mother-in-law, Vi Redington, Saturday during a celebration of life ceremony and community potluck.

Many eyes filled with tears as Barbara continued; more than 250 friends of Violet Redington - some who lived in the Knik area in the '60s and '70s and still do, and some who drove from as far away as Homer - joined Vi's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to honor a legend at the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex.

Vi Redington, 81, died at her homestead home in Knik on March 4, the same day as the Iditarod started in Anchorage. Her husband since 1953, musher Joe Redington Sr., died in June 1999 of cancer.

Vi, who battled several years against cancer, maintained a positive attitude to the very end of her life, said Barbara Redington, who married Rayme Redington.

&#8220She was laughing every day at something that might happen,” Barbara said.

Grand-daughter Lisa Redington said she'll miss her grandma's laughter.

&#8220I'll always remember her laugh. She had such positive energy,” Lisa said. &#8220I would say bubbly, but that's not the right word because she wasn't an airhead. She always found good in everyone.”

Many people who spoke at the memorial described a friendly, fun-loving woman who never turned someone away from her home and always had a full house; who, along with her husband, Joe Sr., catapulted the popularity of the Iditarod; who was the backbone of a large family involved in dog sled mushing; and who possessed both physical and mental strength.

KTUU-TV anchorman John Tracy emceed the celebration.

&#8220Vi didn't ride in Joe's sled from Flathorn to Knik, she drove her own team. She thrived in a place that would take it toll on most men,” Tracy said. &#8220She lived a fantastic life, even by Alaska standards.”

Tracy said the Redingtons had a tendency to share their financial wealth with others.

&#8220Vi's wealth can be measured by the lives of people she touched along the Iditarod trail,” Tracy said.

Leroi Heaven, president of the Wasilla-Knik Historical Society, said Vi mentored many newcomers in the dog mushing community.

Lorna Buege's husband, Henry, used to trade his hand-made dog sleds for Redington's dogs. She recalled traveling to Flat Horn and sleeping in a tent with the Redington children.

&#8220Once she met you, she always remembered your name. I'd see her in the feed store and she'd say, ‘Hi,' even though she hadn't seen me for a few years. She always had a smile on her face,” said Buege, who now resides in Anchorage.

Buege glanced at the crowd coming through the doors, many dressed in purple, which was Vi's favorite color, and commented how wonderful it was that so many people showed up.

Alaska balladeer Hobo Jim wove three songs together in honor of Vi while a slide show was displayed. He sang &#8220Where Legends are Born,” &#8220Backwoods Girl” and &#8220Redington's Run.”

&#8220Here's to Vi, who stood by Joe in everything he done. . . In my heart, it's Redington's Run,” Hobo Jim sang.

Barbara commented on how proud Vi was that her grandsons ran sled dog teams.

&#8220She used to say: ‘There should always be a Redington in the race,' ” Barbara said.

Tonya Mackey and her daughter, Amanda, drove from Soldotna to pay their respects. Mackey handed Barbara a potted Violet, and apologized that her husband, Lance, and so many other mushers who would have liked to attend were competing in the Kobuk 440 this weekend.

Today, the family will hold a private service at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery.

&#8220When I think of Vi's passing, I think of the 1997 video from Joe's last race. At the finish line in Nome, he opened his arms for her and said ‘Hi baby, I missed you,'” Barbara Redington said. &#8220And now, he's in heaven with open arms, saying ‘Hi baby, I missed you.' ”

Contact Dawn De Busk at 352-2252 or dawn.debusk@

frontiersman.com.