JeanetteEllamae Thario

Jeanette Ellamae Thario died peacefully on Oct. 11, 2010, at Care Incorporated in Wasilla.

A memorial service is at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 16 at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Anchorage.

Jeanette was born on June 14, 1925, in Butte, Mont., to Leonard and Minnie Jacobson. She grew up on a ranch in Wolf Creek where her mother was the postmaster. She was confirmed May 16th, 1937 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Great Falls. She graduated from Cascade High School and lived in Helena for many years. She came to Palmer in 1952 on a two-week vacation with friends. She ended up getting a job and meeting Hugh, her husband to be. They spent a lot of time at Eklutna Lake, which was a favorite spot. Hugh and Jeanette were married in 1953 at St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer which now sits on the fairgrounds. They had one son before moving to Anchorage where they raised six children.

The family remembers how much mom enjoyed doing crafts, reading to her grandchildren, tending to her flower garden, playing board games (especially Scrabble) and going to Las Vegas. Family gatherings at the home were always a special time with Mom saying the blessing in German and then Norwegian. She seldom gave advice unless asked, but was always willing to listen if someone needed to talk. Mom had a great laugh, wonderful smile and that special twinkle in her eyes. Her kids remember her always having an extra Kleenex for you stuck in her purse or the cuff of her sleeve. She could whip off a slipper if you weren’t behaving and at the same time be making you a grilled cheese sandwich without missing a beat.

Mom was famous in the neighborhood for her baking skills. No one ever left her house hungry. She worked as a noon duty at Williwaw Elementary for many years. All the kids that grew up would recognize her years later in the stores and remember her fondly.

Mom loved her church and had many friends over the years. She was a charter member of St. Mark’s. Her faith in the Lord gave her the courage to carry on, even when tested with the loss of her husband and two children along with her own fight with colon cancer in the late 1970s. Her faith in the Lord never wavered and stayed with her throughout her life.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband Hubert, brother Marvin, son Lee, daughter Lori, grandson Kris, and son-in-law Dave. She is survived by her children, Louise (Bill) Zeddies, Lynn Miranda, Leonard (Becky) Thario, and Les (Sue) Thario; brothers James Jacobson, and Chuck (Joy) Jacobson, grandchildren Keith, Damien, Brodie, Michelle, April, Ashley, Alex, Ben, Olivia, Emma, and Anna, and great grandchild Tia. Jeanette also has many loving family and friends throughout Alaska, Montana and Oregon.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Care Inc. who provided extraordinary care.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of your choice in remembrance of Jeanette.

Arrangements are with Legacy Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.