LEE WILLIAM HARTLEY

Lee William Hartley, 92, died peacefully Aug. 5, 2010, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer surrounded by family.

Lee had been living with Alzheimer’s disease. A memorial service open to all who wish to celebrate Lee’s extraordinary life will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at Palmer Elk’s Lodge, 2600 Barry’s Resort Drive in Wasilla. Family and friends are welcome to bring a dessert or salad for a potluck.

Lee was born in Anchorage June 17, 1918, to pioneer Alaskans Leon and Ruth (English) Hartley. In December 1938, he met his bride of 70 years, Maralyn Vasanoja. They were married Oct. 30, 1940. In 1947, savvy businessmen all, Lee and brothers Bob and Jim Hartley, along with their father, opened Hartley Brothers, a fuel/service/repair station and auto dealership in downtown Palmer in a prime corner location. From that beginning, he went on to build the first Ford dealership in the Valley, Hartley Motors Inc. (which he later sold to Harold Nye of Nye Frontier Ford in 1984). Lee and Maralyn opened their Honda dealership, Hartley Motors Honda Shop, in 1965. Although Lee retired at age 66, the business is still family owned and operating at its Parks Highway location.

His interests were diverse. His hobbies included collecting stamps, building model airplanes, fishing, hunting and bird watching. Lee was also a pilot and loved to fly his airplanes.

As a Ford dealership, Hartley Motors won many trips abroad to locations such as Jamaica, France, Italy, Denmark, Germany, Japan and China. Lee and Maralyn insisted that one or two children or grandchildren accompany them on each of these memorable journeys “to learn about the world.” Lee was a lifetime member of the Elks, Moose and Pioneers of Alaska. After retirement, he traveled by motorhome all over the United States. Attending the annual Alaskans’ picnic in Yuma, Ariz., was one of his favorite events, where he could catch up with many of the dear friends he acquired over the years.

Lee was the patriarch of a large family he loved and cared for dearly, and who loved him immensely in return, his family wrote. He is survived by his wife, Maralyn; daughters, Clare Hartley, Signe (Mike) Wellman and Brenda Valley; grandchildren, Denise (Lloyd) Hubbard, Andrea Dunnigan, Grant (Susie) Dunnigan, Alice Mobley, Jamie (James) Davis, Randy Moffitt, Krystal Moffitt, Eric (Tamara) Moffitt, Trina Arthur and Grace Valley; great-grandchildren, Holly Varah, Taralyn and Heidi Tester, Willow, Lukas and Naomi Hubbard, Nicole Kerby, Jasmine and Reuben Tirapelli, Jeffry Pendergrass, Hannah Dunnigan, Michael and Austin Mobley, Saylor Wetherhorn, Brandon, Stormy and Summer Wolsterman, Levi and Cory Moffitt, Chloe Moffitt, Travis (Kassie) Barber, Tyler Walker, Jessie, Kassi, Maralyn and Jeanie Moffitt and Willow Kolberg; and great-great grandchildren, Tiger, Violet, Vanessa, Alexis, Aiden, Tristan, Trinity, Jaydon, C.J. and Olivia; and many loved ones who called him “Grandpa.”

The Hartley family wishes a special thank you to all of the wonderful people who helped care for Lee both at home and at the hospital. Your loyal, gracious and loving care is deeply appreciated. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Palmer Elks Scholarship Fund at 2600 N. Barry’s Resort Drive, Wasilla, AK 99654. Arrangements were entrusted to Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary.