ISABELLE GOLDTHORPE ROGAN

Isabelle Goldthorpe Rogan, 82, died peacefully March 29, 2005 after spending her last year and a half living at the Palmer Pioneers' Home, where she continued to enjoy her many activities.

Services will be held Saturday, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Palmer. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., with the funeral Mass to start at 11 a.m. Father Leo C. Desso will be officiating.

Mrs. Rogan was born June 13, 1922, in Milledgeville, Ill., to Alvin and Grace Goldthorpe, the youngest of seven children. She attended local schools and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in home economics from Northern Illinois State University, DeKalb, Ill., later doing graduate work at the University of Minnesota, Iowa State College, University of Alaska and the University of Hawaii.

After teaching home economics in Sheboygan, Wis., and Roanoke, Ill., she came to Kodiak in September 1949, and spent two years teaching in Kodiak High School.

On Aug. 16, 1950, she married fellow teacher Edward Rogan of Oak Park, Ill. In September 1951, they began teaching for the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs, a 21-year career during which they operated elementary schools in the native villages of Perryville, Koyuk, Beaver, Kipnuk, Akiachak and Napaskiak. In July 1972, they retired to Palmer and made their home there.

Mrs. Rogan was a member of the Alaska and American Home Economics Association, American Association of University Women, Volunteer Readers for the Blind, AARP, Beta Sigma Phi, Valley Quilters Guild, Pioneers of Alaska Women's Auxiliary #11, Neighborhood Crime Watch, Gold Dusters Extension Homemakers Club, Friends of the Palmer Public Library, Palmer Senior Citizens and RSVP, Bishop's Attic and Family Community Leadership.

Her loved ones wrote, "During its short life as a Valley newspaper, she served as food editor of the Tri Valley Graphics and was famous for her recipes and humorous column. She served on the Palmer City Planning and Zoning Commission for eight years. For the last several years she also served as a volunteer at the Valley Hospital and knitted hats for many babies born at Valley Hospital."

Preceding her in death was her husband, Edward.

She is survived by her sons, Michael of Fairbanks, Vincent of Copper Center, Edward and Mary Jo of Colorado City, Colo., Robert and Mary of Gresham, Ore., James and Molly of Fairbanks, and John of Palmer; daughters and sons-in law, Mary and Richard Engler of Seattle and Rita and Ihab Murtada of Eden Prairie, Minn., and 10 grandchildren.

Arrangements were with Kehl's Palmer Mortuary in Palmer. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial contributions go to the American Cancer Society, 1057 West Fireweed, Suite 204, Anchorage, AK 99503.