Lorraine Lillian Hermon

Lorraine Lillian Hermon, 89, died Oct. 6, 2011, at the Palmer Veterans’ and Pioneers’ Home surrounded by family and friends.

Lorraine was born on March 28, 1922, in Scanlon, Minn., to Loren and Edna McKechnie. In 1935, at the age of 13, Lorraine moved to Alaska as one of the original Colonist’s kids. During her more than 76 years in the Valley she worked at the “co-op” store, Matanuska Maid Dairy in the ice cream room, as a telephone operator downtown, a postal clerk, and as a well-loved baby-sitter of an assortment of kids in the area. She was a member of the Palmer Historical Society.

Her family said she enjoyed gardening, especially her roses, knitting innumerable Christmas stockings and mitts, as well as sweaters, mittens and hats for family members. Canning was a specialty of mother’s, especially her wonderful pickles, as many will remember.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, Loren and Edna McKechnie, her first husband, Paul A. Aklestad; husband of 48 years, Harold T. “Fritz” Hermon; brothers and sisters-in-law Harry and Bobby McKechnie, Ray and Diana McKechnie, Don and Nita McKechnie; brothers, Angus McKechnie and Daryl McKechnie; son, Gordon L. “Corky” Aklestad; and grandson, Ronald P. Aklestad Jr.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Ronald P. and Judy Aklestad Sr.; daughter and son-in-law, Karen A. and Jim McNeese; daughter-in-law Jane Sparks; step-daughters and spouses, Sally Swain, Nancy and Bill Bernert, Connie and Steve Harsh; brother and sister-in-laws, Ben and Eve Hermon, George and Dona Hermon, Neil and Kathy Hermon; sister-in-law, Georgina Bumgarner, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom all loved her dearly and will miss her tremendously.

Lorraine did not wish to have a service, but the family wishes to thank all of her friends throughout the years who showed her so much love and appreciation. Her ashes will be buried between her parents’ next spring in the Palmer Pioneer Cemetery.

The family thanks Valley Funeral Home and Crematory for their assistance.