Jolene Walter

Jolene Ann (Sparks) Walter died January 19, 2016 at her home in Palmer, Alaska, surrounded by her family after a long battle with Leukemia. Jolene was born July 1, 1959 in Medford, Oregon, to Clifford and Renae Scheel. Her family moved to Glennallen, Alaska in 1966, and later to Palmer where she graduated in 1977 and married Keith Bentti. After her daughter was born, Jolene worked at Archie’s “4-Corners” diner as a waitress. In 1980, she married Mike Sparks, and while raising four children she worked with her husband in Dillingham managing his fishing supply business, was a manager for Carr’s in Palmer, and worked in ministry at Wasilla Lake Church of the Nazarene for many years. Later in life, she obtained a bachelor’s degree from Charter College, and subsequently worked as the Director of Financial Aid in Wasilla until 2013. During her battle with cancer she met and married Brett Walter, whose love and support came at a most critical time in her life. A self-taught seamstress, Jolene loved sewing and quilting, “treasure hunting” at thrift stores wherever she went, and collecting 7-up bottles even though she drank Pepsi exclusively. Over the past 13 years, Jolene enthusiastically embraced the role of grandma, making rice-crispy treats, having sleepovers, playing games, and going on various field trips with her grandchildren.

Jolene is survived by her husband, Brett Walter; parents Clifford (Patti) Scheel and Renae (Thomas) Hunter; in-laws Edward and Rachael Walter; sister Deborah Scheel (Bill Nicholson); children Heather (Mike) Messick, Matthew (Cammie) Sparks, Elizabeth Pomeroy, and Jacqueline (Micah) Stull; step-children Brittany (Eric) Nouglozeh, Tyler (Heidi) Walter, and Tara Walter; and grandchildren Ethan, Erek, Garin, Aedan, Jake, Julia, Adam, Nathan, Joshua, Jeremy, and Zelik. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Loren and Rachel Scheel, and Vern and Nettie Dunlap; and her aunt Paula Scheel.

A celebration of life for Jolene will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 23, at Wasilla Lake Church of the Nazarene, 2001 E. Palmer-Wasilla, Hwy., Wasilla, Alaska.

Arrangements are with Janssen’s Mat-Su Funeral Home.