JOAN M. KATKUS

Joan Mary Katkus, Alaskan of 62 years, died peacefully of natural causes Aug. 26, 2010. She was 87.

At her request, there will be no formal funeral. A memorial service will take place 2 p.m. Sunday Sept. 5 at the VFW Post 9365 Home in Wasilla. Internment will be at the Ft. Richardson National Cemetery 1:30 pm. Sept. 7. Anyone attending will need to be there no later than 1:10 p.m.

On April 5, 1923, Joan was born in London, England, where she was raised. While serving in the Women’s Land Army during World War II in London she met and married the love of her life, Henry Katkus.

After the war ended, she traveled to New York City in 1946 as a war bride, following her new husband and making her way through Ellis Island, to meet up with and start their new lives as immigrants to their newly adopted country, which they loved dearly and continually served honorably.

Joan and Henry lived in Brooklyn, NY, until embarking on their life adventure of homesteading in Alaska in 1948 — traversing the under-construction Alaska-Canada highway over a three-month time frame. They first homesteaded in Willow and then Pittman area, producing and raising five children along the way, and for many years living without the modern conveniences of indoor plumbing and electricity.

Both Joan and Henry were heavily involved in the Veterans of Foreign Wars - Wasilla Post 9365 for many, many years. Joan progressed through the “chairs” to eventually serve as the national president of the Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW and traveled the world proudly representing it during her term from 1986 to 1987. She stayed involved and actively dedicated to the organization until 2002.

Joan is survived by daughters Sue Williams and Jane Katkus of Anchorage, sons Adjutant Gen. Tom (Jo) Katkus and John (Taffy) Katkus, and son-in-law Oz Kendall; grandchildren Terran (Erika) Williams, Tatia (Todd) McMillen, Kari Kendall (Shaun) Berry, and Ron Inman; grandchildren Tommy, Tony, Kris and Kevan Katkus, Steven (Erin) Katkus, Michael, Elizabeth, Maria, Nistor and George Katkus; great-grandchildren Brianna McMillen, Kiera Williams, Tiffany and Addison Katkus, Avery, Morregon and Shane Berry, and Christopher Inman, as well as extended family Dick Williams and Bridget Bushue of Anchorage and Barbara Moody of Manchester, Maine.

Joan was preceded in death by husband, Henry, and daughter, Maggie.

Memorial donations may be made to VFW National Home for Children, 3573 S. Waverly Rd., Eaton Rapids, MI. 48827.

Arrangements by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.