Johna Kay Frachey

Johna Kay Frachey, 45, died Feb. 27, 2011, at Providence Alaska Medical Center in the embrace of her family.

The family will hold a private ceremony following her cremation.

Johna was born Feb. 2, 1966, in Missoula, Mont., to Richard and Alice Sonju. She grew up in Seattle until moving to Anchorage in 1983, where she attended Dimond High School.

In 1984, Johna began working at Alexander Lake Lodge as a camp cook. Johna continued to work as a cook for hunting and fishing lodges in the Alaska bush and met her future husband, Steve Frachey, when she went to work for Westwind Guide Service. Johna and Steve were married May 31, 1986, in Clio, Mich., Steve’s family’s hometown, and returned to Alaska to work. Johna and Steve moved to Eagle River in 1988, where she worked for Custom Made Jewelers as a salesperson for several years. In 1998, they moved to Willow and she was employed at Steve’s Food Boy in Big Lake.

Johna cherished the Alaska summers and would spend as much time as possible soaking up the sun while she designed, planted and cared for several large spectacularly colored flowerbeds in her backyard. She loved all animals and always had at least one pet. She loved each of her pets and will be missed by her darling Sweet Pea terribly.

Christmas was her favorite holiday. She loved giving special gifts to family and friends. Her family wrote: “Johna, our precious little Miss Daisy, beloved wife, daughter, sister and aunt, will be missed by all. The way she puttered around her gardens, with her hair pinned up and coffee cup always at hand, will never be forgotten.”

Johna is survived by her husband of 25 years, Steven J. Frachey, son of Pete and Janice Frachey of Clio, Mich. She is also survived by her mother, Alice Sonju; siblings and their spouses, Richard Sonju Jr., Michael and Mary Sonju, Larry and Jan Sonju, Sandy and Mark Habermann, and JoJo and David Chacon; nieces and nephews, Mary Alice Sonju, Cameron Sonju, Claire Sonju, Molly Hughes, Conner Hughes, Sarah Sonju, Steven Sonju, Maddie Chacon and Zoey Chacon.

Johna was preceded in death by her father, Richard A. Sonju Sr.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Mat-Su Animal Care, 350 E. Dahlia Ave., Palmer, AK 99645. Reference Johna Kay Frachey on the payment.

Arrangements by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.