Jean Ella Middleton

Wasilla resident Jean Ella Middleton, 87, passed away April 2, 2011, in Anchorage at Alaska Regional Hospital.

She was born Nov. 9, 1923, in Bonanza, Ore., the daughter of Dean and Ruth (Stilman) Minnis.

A celebration of life service in honor of Jean is at 7 p.m., Monday at Valley Funeral Home Chapel in Wasilla. Burial followed the services at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery. A pot-luck for family and friends followed the services at the VFW hall in Wasilla for family.

Jean moved to Alaska in 1950 and lived in several places, including Fairbanks, Seward and Healy before settling in Wasilla. During her working life she worked as a caregiver for small children and also in the janitorial business until her retirement in 1995. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Jean was a lifelong member of the VFW Auxillary and was awarded a 55-year pin for her dedication to the VFW. She enjoyed reading, watching movies and needlepoint.

Her family will remember her as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt who loved spending time with her children and was a hard-working woman who took pride in doing a good job. She also loved all kinds of animals.

She is survived by her son, Larry, and daughter-in-law Katherine Hettrick of Wasilla; daughter, Cindy Middleton of Oregon; grandchildren, Michael and James Hettrick of Wasilla, Chris Hettrick of Texas, Gary Hettrick of Oregon, Teresa Hetrick of Wasilla and Patricia Burt of Wasilla. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Kyle, Kory, Samantha Hettrick of Wasilla, James Sweeney and Dustin Hettrick of Texas, Brennan, Nicholas and Dosstin of Oregon, Dallas and McKenzie Burt of Wasilla and Jordan and Dylan Hettrick of Wasilla. She is also survived by three great-great-grandchildren, her granddaughter-in-law Jodie Hettrick of Wasilla, and sister-in-law Joan Minnis of Mount Terrace Lake, Wash, along with many nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Donald, Bob and Dale Minnis; sister, Shirley Moats and husband Harold Middleton; and son, Richard Middleton.

Memorial donations in her memory may be sent to the family c/o Larry and Katherine Hettrick, 2874 N. Snowshoe Lane, Wasilla, AK 99654.

The family was cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.