John Louis Seemann

John Louis Seemann, 84, was born Jan. 30, 1931, to Carl and Joan Seemann in Chicago. He died of cancer of the pancreas and liver on Nov. 21, 2015, at his home on Lazy Mountain near Palmer.

Jack grew up in Lake Zurich, Illinois, and graduated from Ela High. In June of 1949, at age 18, he headed to Alaska on a one-way ticket alone. Jack’s first job was on a “slime line” at a Valdez cannery, and later he became a section hand for the Alaska Railroad out of Anchorage.

His introduction to Lazy Mountain came from helping a work mate on weekends build his house. By 1951, Jack became a lineman for the railroad, but that was interrupted by the Korean War with a two-year military commitment. But in February of 1954, he headed back to Alaska. Because there were no suitable railroad jobs available, he decided to try farming in the Matanuska Valley. His first purchase of 140 acres is the exact spot of his home of 61 years, which he named “Little Pitchfork Ranch.”

Over the years, Jack enlarged the farm and his family. In 1958, he married Jane Pettit and became instant father to three children Rick, Mick and Collie. In those early years while developing his land and buildings, Jack worked on the maintenance crew at the “Co-op” and “power house.”

In 1959, he shipped in the first registered Hereford herd to Alaska. They also grew oats and barley, later switching to hay farming. “Pitchfork Ranch” has grown six-fold over the past six decades through intense hard work and the desire of Jack and Jane to preserve the land and retain agriculture in the Valley. Those goals and work ethic were passed on to the next generations, so much so that Jack was honored as the patriarch of the “Pettit Farm Family of the Year” for 2015.

So many memories over the years. His children remember picking roots and rocks as they helped clear much of the current fields. Grandchildren treasure the overnight camping trips into the mountains with the Percheron horses. Grandpa worked hard and played hard. Friends recall his kindness and generosity, and acquaintances remember he never left home without a dozen fresh eggs to give away. “You never know who you might meet.” Jack Seemann was from a different era, and he generated a spirit that caused people to WANT to give of themselves in kind. Lifelong friends came about in the most unusual ways.

John is survived by his dog, Okey Dokey, two of his children, Rick Pettit (wife Marilyn) and Collie Johansen (husband Mel), and his former wife Jane Seemann, all of Anchorage. Grandchildren include Todd and Roxie Pettit, Tommy and Amy Pettit all of Palmer; Chuck and Megan Pettit, of San Diego, Cliff and Olivia Johansen, Dayna and Walt Pride, of Anchorage, Clint Pettit, Tobi and Sonja Johansen, of Wyoming, Joe Johansen, of Oregon, and Zack Pettit of Kenai; one brother, Carl (wife Pat) Seemann of Texas; and nieces and nephews — Bill, Stephanie, Chris, Debra, Lori, and Peter. Preceding him in death were his son, Mick Pettit, and brother, Bill Seemann.

A memorial service and gathering of friends will be held at Palmer High School gym at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 6, 2015. In lieu of flowers, a memorial account has been set up at MVFCU #151407. Please make checks payable to Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union.