Mabel Henderson Wallace

Mabel Henderson Wallace, 88, passed away peacefully on Jan. 9 at Sunrise Assisted Living Center in Roseville, Minn., where she had been a resident for six years.

She was born Jan. 29, 1921, in Assuit, Egypt, where her parents were Presbyterian missionaries. Upon completion of their work, the family returned to Wooster, Ohio, where she met and married Kenneth F. Wallace in 1942.

They drove the Alaska Highway to Alaska in 1947, homesteaded 160 acres of land near Palmer and raised four children. Mabel was well-read and interested in many topics. Her musical talents were much in demand.

She spent many years as librarian at Palmer High School and established the Matanuska-Susitna College Library when it moved to the new campus. She was always willing to assist students with their educational efforts.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her scriptural training as a child, combined with a lifetime of study gave her a depth and breadth of gospel knowledge surpassed by few. She served as organist, teacher and genealogy worker to mention only a few of her contributions.

Mabel is survived by her sister Patricia Sterling, children Carolyn Thomas, Stephen Wallace, Donald Wallace and Marcia Mackie and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held at noon on Saturday at the Palmer Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A visitation will be at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery with a luncheon afterwards.

Local arrangements are with Legacy Funeral Homes & Cremation Services — Kehl’s Palmer Chapel, www.legacyalaska.com.