KAREN A. MANOOK RIFREDI

Karen Ann Manook Rifredi, 58, was surrounded by her loved ones when she died July 19, 2010, in Wasilla.

Karen was born to Phillip Huhndorf and Agnes Manook Ostlund in Nulato on May 23, 1952. She was a shareholder of Gana-A’Yoo and Doyon Ltd. She was a Culture Bearer, teaching and demonstrating her talents of porcupine quill work, skin sewing and beading for Holland America Cruise Lines, Alaska Native Heritage Center, Healing Racism in Anchorage, Anchorage School District, UAA and UAF.

She learned to make birch bark baskets and taught her aspects of Athabascan art to her daughter and numerous other relatives. Her wishes were to share her knowledge so it would be passed on to others. She also enjoyed fishing, berry picking and preparing Native foods. She became a mentor to numerous people, youths and adults. Her love for the Native Games and youth led her to judge for CITC, Job Corp NYO Annual Games, Kenai Peninsula Winter Games, World Eskimo Indian Olympics and Arctic Winter Games.

“Those who touched her life were blessed with her kindness, generosity, patience and loving personality,” the family wrote.

Karen was preceded in death by her father; paternal and maternal grandparents; brother, Ron “Buster” Manook; and nephew, Frank Attla. She is remembered and survived by her husband, Ron Rifredi; son, Ron “RC” (Kadie) Rifredi; daughters, Amanda “Doobie” (Matt) Attla, Christina Rifredi and Nicolya (Jimmy) Rifredi; and several other children she raised; grandchildren, Chelsea Attla, and Morrow, Kylee, Taylor, Tyson, Kaydence, Mason, Alyx and Kennedy Rifredi; mother, Agnes Ostlund; siblings, Duane “Lonnie” Sipary, Douglas “Boo” Ostlund Jr., Shelley Ostlund, Tamara Roberts, William “Blue” Ostlund; and many uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. today at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 2501 Airport Way, Fairbanks. A potlatch after the service will take place at 6 p.m. at the David Salmon Tribal Hall.

Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.