John G. Rzepka

Wasilla resident John George Rzepka, 81, died Dec. 3, 2010, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.

A memorial gathering is at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at the Wasilla Senior Center Fitness Room. His cremated remains will be buried at Resurrection Cemetery near Chicago in late spring 2011.

John was born Feb. 22, 1929, in Chicago. In his earlier years he worked as a cattle handler in the Chicago Stock Yards. Later he was a maintenance custodian for Ideal Tool and Die Co. He was a dog lover and rescuer.

Family members said: “Johnny made everyone laugh with his life stories. He will be dearly missed by all his family and friends.”

Surviving are nieces and their spouses, Sharon Lasa and Bob Peek of Wasilla, and Carol Lasa and Lou Bailoni, and their children Anastasia and Christopher, all of Chicago, and Cindy Laff of Maine; nephews and their spouses, Dennis and Susan Laff, and their children, Jessica and Allison, and Carl and Candy Laff, all of Chicago; and companion, Mary Hall of Wasilla. He was preceded in death by sisters, Caroline Lasa and Stella Laff; brother, Michale Rzepka; and niece, Marlene Laff.

Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.