Helen Sinoq Sagmiganna Pushruk

Palmer resident Helen Sinoq Sagmiganna Pushruk, 86, died of pancreatic cancer on Jan. 22, 2013, at her residence surrounded by her loving family.

A visitation begins at 7 p.m., Feb. 1 at St Michael’s Catholic Parish in Palmer followed by a rosary at 8 p.m. A mass of Christian burial is at 11 a.m., Feb. 2 at St. Michael’s Catholic Parish with Father Jaime officiating. Burial is at Pioneer Cemetery following the mass.

Pallbearers are Anthony Pushruk, Frank Pushruk, Brian Walker, Chris Toliver, Simon Walker and Edward Tiulana. Honorary pallbearers are Josie Harmon, Bill Toliver, Anthony Katulski, Barb and Dustin Gologergon, Sam Mogg and Robert Pushruk.

Following the burial will be a potluck at the parish. At a later date, there will be a potluck in Nome and dancing with the King Island Eskimo Dancers afterward in honor of Helen.

She was born on Ukivok, King Island Jan. 15, 1927, to Marie and Thomas Sagmiganna. In 1957, she married Simon Pushruk and together they had eight children.

According to her family, Helen very much enjoyed being with her large family and was loved by all. She enjoyed living off of the land and all of the activities that went with it. Helen was a devout Catholic. She enjoyed gathering berries, greens and making and sharing her Native foods with others. She also enjoyed visiting her camp at Nuuk. She was one of the few remaining elders who could recall life on Ukivok and spoke her Inupiaq language with pride. Helen’s wisdom and talents will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Simon; brothers, Charles Mayac (Teresa and second wife Annie), John Kokuluk (Barbara) and Louis Seeganna (Margaret); sisters, Johanna Pullock (Charles), Clara Tiulana (Paul) and Agatha Dahl (Charles); children, Gloria Walker and infant boys Bernard Hubbard and his twin.

She is survived by sons, Anthony and Frank Pushruk (Zenita Wendt); daughters, Susanne Toliver (Steve Moberg), former son-in-law Winston Toliver, Genevieve and Victoria; grandchildren, Chris and Cyndee Toliver, Jillian, Simon and Brian Walker II (and their father, Brian Walker), Shylyn and Simone Pushruk, Anthony, Candace and McKinley Katulski, and Brenna Janka, Gloria, Megan and Vanessa Pushruk; great-grandchildren Kristina Milner, Jaden and Jaxson Toliver; and her very good friend, Emily Bodfish.

The family would also like to give a special thanks to hospice for everything they did.

The family was taken care of by Legacy Kehl’s Palmer Chapel in Palmer.