Kolene Ione Murphy

Kolene Ione Murphy, 73, died July 19, 2012, in Wasilla.

A service is 11 a.m., Aug. 11, at Valley Funeral Home and Crematory. Bishop Terry Richardson will officiate. Kolene’s ashes will be scattered at the Pioneer Cemetery in Palmer.

Kolene was born Nov. 4, 1938, in Linn Rose, Idaho, to Alvin Gunter and Dorothy Green.

She became an Alaska resident in April 2009. She worked as a certified nursing assistant at Astoria Oregon Hospital in the 1980s and McMinnville, Ore., in the 1970s. She attended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved sports.

“Mom was always a very kind and loving person,” her family wrote. “She always wanted to help others. She worked as a CNA for many years at hospitals and nursing homes. She was a big sports fan; football and baseball were her favorites. She enjoyed traveling and camping. She graduated from truck driving school in Phoenix, Ariz., on her 50th birthday. We will miss you mom.”

Surviving are her husband, Robert L. Murphy Sr. of Wasilla; son, Robert L. Murphy Jr.; daughter-in-law, Betsy Murphy; daughter, Taunia K. Cheney of Wasilla; son-in-law, Jon A. Cheney of Wasilla; son, Dennis E. Murphy; grandsons, David J. Cheney and Eric L. Cheney of Wasilla and Deven R. Murphy of Carlton, Ore.; granddaughters, Betsy Jo Higgins and Katlynn Wittrock of McMinnville, Ore., Cheryl M. Cheney and Breanna K. Cheney of Wasilla and McKenna R. Murphy of Tigard, Ore.; mother, Dorothy Gunter Anderson; sisters, Sherron and Rollie Worster, and Margo and Barry Clift; and brothers, Dwight and Regina Gunter, Sid and Karen Gunter, Doug and Elaine Gunter, Mark and Cari Gunter, and David and Tisa Spyers.

Preceding her in death was her father, Alvin Gunter; and late husband, Alan Casebourn.

Memorial donations may be sent to 500 N. Skip Circle, Wasilla, AK 99654.

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