Grace Jane Elkins

Grace Jane Elkins, 86, died June 29, 2011, at home of natural causes. Visitation is from 2 to 5 p.m., Tuesday, July 5 at Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary. A memorial gathering is from 4 to 7 p.m., July 7 at the Elkins’ home.

Grace was born Feb. 10, 1925, in Shawnee, Okla. She moved to Alaska and resided in Anchorage from 1950-59 before moving to Wasilla in 1959.

Grace worked as the head cook at the Garden of Eater for many years in Anchorage and then owned and operated Wasilla Roadhouse next to Teelands General Store for the “60” Turning Point Bay Ranch during the 1980s, plus a myriad of other things; cook, bus driver, cashier, roofer — you name it.

She was affiliated with the Lions, Pioneers, Eastern Star, Quilters Guild and Mid-Valley Senior Center. She won the governor’s volunteer award.

Her hobbies included quilting, sewing, needlecraft, gardening, fishing, hunting and traveling the U.S.

Surviving are her husband, William E. Elkins; children, Verlyn J. Jennings, Sherri L. Skidmore, Robert W. Snider, Bun E. Snider and Jan E. Schmiege; 17 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death was son, Alvin L. Williams.