Jennifer Lynn Wilcox Van Ausdal

Thirty-three year old Jennifer Lynn Wilcox Van Ausdal of Wasilla died Feb. 24 at 4:19 a.m. at Providence Hospital in Anchorage of injuries suffered in an automobile accident in Wasilla the previous evening. A celebration of her life, officiated by Bishop Jerry Holbrook, was held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Wasilla chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A graveside service followed at Aurora Cemetery. Pallbearers were David Wilcox, Joseph Wilcox, Terry Wilcox, Ryan Van Ausdal, Paul Shelley and J.D. McCullin. A public viewing was held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Valley Funeral Home on Herning Avenue.

Van Ausdal was born Feb. 21, 1975 in El Paso, Texas, to Terry and Vicki Wilcox. She graduated from Wasilla High School in 1993. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree majoring in chemistry and education and minoring in physics, she taught first at Palmer Junior Middle School, then at Houston High School and lastly at Wasilla High School. She also taught aerobics at Edge Fitness. She was the co-coordinator for the Wasilla “Messiah” presentation and helped with the Palmer Nativity displays. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

At the time of her death she was working on a graduate degree in psychology and youth counseling.

Van Ausdal is survived by her husband, Dennis Van Ausdal; sons Zachary and Timothy Van Ausdal; parents Terry and Vicki Wilcox; parents-in-law Verna and Gary Van Ausdal; siblings Heather Jensen, Terry Wilcox Jr., Samantha Peel, David Wilcox and Joseph Wilcox; and many other relatives.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Jennifer Van Ausdal Memorial Fund, at any Wells Fargo Bank.

Her family wrote, “Jennifer was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, teacher, confidant and musician. She lived her life to the fullest extent. Her family and friends look forward to meeting her again.”

Valley Funeral Homes and Crematory of Palmer and Wasilla assisted the family.