Lowell Simpson

Palmer resident Lowell Charles Simpson, 83, passed away Oct. 30, 2007, at home with his family by his side.

Simpson was born and raised in Oakesdale, Wash., where he graduated from Oakesdale High School in 1941. He served in the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division in the European Theater during World War II until 1945, when he was honorably discharged.

Simpson married Doris E. Lund of Baker, N.D., in 1949 and together with a few friends drove the Alcan Highway to Alaska in March 1950. They homesteaded on Knik River Road at the base of Pioneer Peak, where they built their home and raised their children. They used his photography and acrylic painting to capture the great outdoors of Alaska. Summers were spent camping and fishing with family and hunting season was spent on Pioneer Peak with pack horses and friends. After retirement he spent time fishing on his boat in Whittier and sightseeing on his airboat to the Knik Glacier.

After arriving in Alaska, Simpson spent six years running a sawmill and working as a carpenter. He then became employed as an operator at the Eklutna Hydroelectric Power plant until retiring in 1987.

Simpson was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Doris Simpson; parents, Charles and Bess Simpson of Palmer; and a sister, Barbara Gaxiola.

Simpson is survived by son, Mark R. Simpson of Palmer; daughters Gail (Scott Eubanks) Burkhart, Ree (Mark) Moffitt of Palmer and Judi (Kurt) Schoephorster of Sutton; foster daughters Heather Shumar of Winner, S.D., and Jessacah and Terry Hanson of Wasilla; grandchildren, Zachary Schoephorster of Sutton, Erin Schoephorster of Anchorage, Brent Moffitt, Tiffany Rye and Ryan Burkhart of Palmer, Derrick Moffitt, Erika, Alexa and Carissa Hanson of Wasilla; and great-grandchildren, Kyla and Drue Olson, Bradly, Alicia, Amber and Gunnar Moffitt, all of Palmer.

A celebration of life gathering for family and friends is scheduled for 2 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Simpson home.

Arrangements were made by Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary.