HOWARD KALNOSKI

Wasilla resident Howard Kalnoski, 74, died peacefully June 7, 2008, of natural causes at Providence Hospital, surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 12 at the VFW Post 9365 in Wasilla.

Born in Onalaska, Wash., on Aug. 26, 1933, to Franklin and Rose Kalnoski, he graduated at 16 from Onalaska High School, where he was an all-star athlete. After high school, Kalnoski served his country in the Army during the Korean War.

He moved to Alaska in 1964, eventually owning multiple shoe stores. In 1971, he was appointed to the Alcohol Beverage and Control Board by Governor Egan.

In 1975, he bought the Kashim Inn, which he owned and operated for several years before returning to Washington for a short time. For the last 20 years, Kalnoski practiced real estate, the majority of which was with Munford Realty and also Lee Realty in Wasilla.

His family wrote: “Howard was a sports enthusiast who loved baseball (Mariners and Yankees) and football (Seahawks), at least when his teams were winning. More than anything, Howard loved to spend time with his family.”

Kalnoski is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Kelley and Lee Sherman, and Kristina and Clark Perry, all of Wasilla; sons Michael Howard of Seattle, Jeffrey Phillip of Wasilla, and Michael Allan and wife, Jacki, of Seward; grandchildren Dustin Surratt of Washington, Mackenzie and Rhianna Sherman, and Cameron and Kyler Perry, all of Wasilla, Max Kalnoski of Seattle, Summer and Chelsea Kalnoski of Anchorage, and Crystal Kalnoski of Reno, Nev.; great-grandchildren Savannah, Carson and Rowan.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Kalnoski, and daughter Tina Louise from his first marriage to Helen Wallace.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to those friends who helped with rides and shared meals. “You meant so much to Howard by just being there,” they wrote.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart or Lung associations.