Kimberly Dawn Buckwalter

Longtime Big Lake resident Kimberly Dawn Buckwalter, 49, died Dec. 27, 2012, from cancer at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.

“For fighting cancer for three year, she was one tough lady,” her family wrote.

A celebration of Kimberly’s life is from 5 to 8 p.m., Jan. 13 at the Big Lake Lions Community Recreation Center, 2939 Lions Lake Road, Big Lake. Her ashes will be scattered on the beach in Ninilchik this summer.

Kimberly was born July 16, 1963, to Donald and Barbara (Givens) Potter in Morton, Wash., where she was raised and graduated high school. She moved to Alaska in 1983 and worked at the Country Boy Campground in Ninilchik and also for Valley Hospital and the Moonshine Shop in Big Lake. Kimberly volunteered during the Miller’s Reach Fire at Deacon’s Attic.

She loved the Alaska outdoors, fishing, camping, hunting, clam digging, gardening, taking long walks on the beach and snowmachining, even if it was summertime in the swamp. Her home was always open to friends and family who had lost their way or just needed a bed for the night. Kimberly was always a positive person “with forgiveness” for all, her family wrote. She was a loving mother, wife and friend who will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Preceding her in death was her brother, Kenneth “Buck” Potter.

Surviving are her husband of 27 years, David Buckwalter of Big Lake; daughter, Angela Thomas of Sandpoint, Idaho; son, Charlie Potter of Wasilla; daughters, Ashley Svedin of Eagle River and Amanda Buckwalter of Bellingham, Wash.; granddaughter, Kayla Welton of Anchorage; grandsons, Nathan Welton of Spokane, Wash., and Phenix and Micah Thomas of Sandpoint, Idaho; granddaughter, Julia Thomas of Sandpoint, Idaho; daughter, Casey Buckwalter of Ninilchik; son, Daniel Buckwalter of Big Lake; great-grandson, Wyatt Riek of Anchorage; parents, Donald and Barbara Potter of Wasilla; sisters, Tammy Bauman of Houston and Lauri Potter of Astoria, Ore.; niece, Falynn Potter of Anchorage; nephew, Tanner Potter of Wasilla; and numerous other nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory. An obituary and guestbook are online at AlaskanFuneral.com.