Jenifer Vial

Willow resident Jenifer Vial, 60, died Sept. 20, 2011, surrounded by family at Providence Hospital in Anchorage.

Vial was born Nov. 21, 1950, in Bridgeport, Neb., to Ruby and Leo Dean. Jenifer came to Alaska in 1957 with her mother, Ruby. She graduated from East High School in 1970. She married Michael L. Vial on April 28, 1979, in Anchorage. Michael and Jenifer moved from Anchorage to Willow in 1987.

A celebration of life service in honor of Jenifer is at 2 p.m., Nov. 12 at the Willow United Methodist Church, Mile 67.5 of the Parks Highway, with Pastor Dan Lush and Jean Bruscia officiating.

Jenifer worked for VF Grace from 1970 to 1985 where she met her husband, Michael. She was a vital part of the family orientated gold mining business in Candle from 1980 to 2000. She did whatever was necessary, from bookkeeping and cooking to cleaning gold and raising kids. From 1997 to 2001, Jenifer delivered mail from the Willow Post Office. Jenifer is remembered for her kind heart and willingness to go the extra mile for her customers.

One of Jenifer’s biggest achievements in life was having her four children. She spent years supporting and encouraging them. Jenifer was a constant figure in her children’s lives. She helped with homework and volunteered with school sports and activities. She was a second mom to so many of her children’s friends. She became known as “Willow Mom” for her determination to get teammates and classmates to and from school functions.

Some of Jenifer’s favorite hobbies were fishing in Homer, speed boating, watching her son race stock cars and helping her husband restore their 1957 Chevy. She was an avid reader and more then anything, she loved spending time with her family. She was the happiest during family picnics, holidays and spending one-on-one time with her husband, children or grandchildren.

Most recently, Jenifer spent a lot of time in Anchorage and Seattle as a constant supporter for her husband of 32 years as he battled cancer. Michael went through long days of intensive treatments. While in Seattle, Jenifer acted as the mode of transportation, cook, cleaner, secretary and the pusher of the wheelchair. Michael feels because of her dedication and constant support he was able to get through each day and become a cancer survivor.

Jenifer is survived by her husband, Michael Vial of Willow; daughters, Suzanne and husband Ian Steed of Big Lake, Sandra Vial and significant other Bud Brown of Wasilla, and Samantha Vial and significant other Jimmy Evenson of Willow. She is also survived by her son, Steven Vial and his significant other Angela Scarborgh of Wasilla; mom and stepdad, Ruby and George Pappas of Anchorage; sister, Cynthia and husband Bob Cassell of Wasilla; grandsons, Sean Davis and Travis Steed, both of Big Lake, and Gage Brown and Jacob Scarborgh of Wasilla; granddaughter, Elaina Herdina and one granddaughter due in January; nieces, Kimberly Nueman of Texas and Kristal Upchurch of Anchorage; nephew, Andrew Vial of Tennessee; and her extended family in Alaska, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado.

Preceding her in death were her father and stepmother, Leo and Lucille Dean.

Her family will remember Jenifer as a wonderful wife, a fantastic mother and a loving grandma. She was known for her kind words and warm smile. She will be missed not only as a wife, mother and grandma, but most of all as a best friend.

Condolences may be sent to the family at P.O. Box 292, Willow, AK 99688.

Arrangements were entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.