Loranna Mae Petrovich

Long-time Alaska pioneer Loranna Mae Petrovich, known to all as “Flicker Red,” died May 14, 2008, at her Williwaw Manor residence in Wasilla.

Born Loranna Mae Stolp to William Edward and Nellie (Ballard) Stolp, Petrovich grew up in Cosmopolis, Wash., and with her twin sister Yvonne Minnie, helped her dad raise pigs and chickens as well as helping garden.

Petrovich moved to Alaska in 1943 and lived in Seward, Juneau and Wasilla. She worked as a waitress and a telephone operator, and owned a teenage club in Seward.

When she was young, her friends nicknamed her “Flicker” because she would “flicker here and flicker there,” and with her bright, flaming red hair, she became known as “Flicker Red,” her family explained.

Petrovich dedicated her talents and time to the communities she lived in, and the walls in her Wasilla home were covered with plaques, certificates and other mementos presented to her by grateful politicians, organizations and friends.

Petrovich suffered from Parkinson’s disease but she never complained and was always busy and bustling about. During her later years you could often see her riding up and down the road on her bright pink scooter, her family said.

“You couldn’t help but smile when you were around her, with her infectious laugh and bubbly personality,” they wrote. “She was a lover of frogs and displayed many in her home and yard for others to enjoy. She also loved to garden and planted beautiful flowers every summer at her home in Williwaw Manor.”

Petrovich is survived by seven nephews, one niece and numerous close friends around the state of Alaska. Those wishing to contact the family may reach her nephew by email at Billiejoest@hotmail.de or write him at William Straughn, S_den Street #5, 76297 Stutensee, Germany 07244-94017.

At her request, there will be no memorial service; however, her ashes will be scattered in Resurrection Bay by her friends Duane and Donita Odland on or around Labor Day.

Arrangements were with Kehl’s Mortuary in Palmer. Memorial donations may be made to the National Parkinson’s Disease Foundation or the Wasilla Area Senior Center.