LaRetta Ann Caswell

Wasilla resident LaRetta Ann Caswell, 81, died of natural causes at 6 a.m., June 22, 2011, with her family at her side.

Memorial services are 1 p.m, Saturday, July 9, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Bogard Road near Wasilla High School. Bishop Jerry Holbrook will officiate.

LaRetta was born Nov. 7, 1929, in Panquitch, Utah. She married Vernon B. Caswell Feb. 26, 1949, Sadie Hawkins Day. Mr. Caswell preceded her in death.

Her husband came to Alaska first in 1957. She came up with four kids. At that time, the airlines were on strike, so they came by bus, train and finally by airplane. Alaska was still a territory then. The family moved out of Anchorage to the Mat-Su Valley after the 1964 earthquake. LaRetta worked at the Snack Shack in its time, and also worked at Wolf’s Home Laundry in Wasilla for about 20 years.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved working and creating things with beads, spending time with the elderly and genealogy.

The family’s special requests are that people spend time with the elderly. Listen to them. They are important in all of our lives, and they need you and us. They also would really like to thank Hospice so much for its help, her personal care assistant (granddaughter) Brandy New for her gentleness, the doctors at the hospital, nurses and the sitters who were there in case, and Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory. Further, they would also like to thank the LDS church for all its help in their time of need.

“Thank you so much from all of us!”

LaRetta is survived by her sister, Iola Peterson and her family of Las Vegas, Nev.; children, Linda M. Byers and her husband Jim, Larry U. J. Caswell and his wife Shawn, Vernon B. Caswell Jr. and his wife Terri, Verl David Caswell, Carol Lee Cutrell and her husband David, Dennis Raymond Caswell and his partner Robin, and Diann Caswell; 18 grandchildren (and another on the way); four step-grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and too many nephews and nieces to name.

Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.