March 20, 2007

Helen Ruth Pierce

Wasilla resident Helen Ruth Pierce, 83, died March 14, 2007, at home of natural causes. A celebration of life will be at the Oak Tree Inn at Oak Knoll Golf Course in Salem, Ore., from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 24, 2007. Burial will be at Restlawn Cemetery in Salem.

She was born April 4, 1923, in Seattle. She received a bachelor's degree in library sciences from the University of Washington, and a master's in teaching from Oregon College of Education.

She was employed by Henry Hill Elementary School in Independence, Ore., from 1966 to 1986. She became an Alaska resident in March of 2005.

Her family wrote: &#8220Helen Pierce, a bit shy socially, lived her life as a pioneer woman. After a full life and education in Washington, Helen left the comfort of her home town to travel to Southern California to pursue her career as a librarian. She lived an independent life until she met her future husband, Martin Pierce.

&#8220They were married shortly after, and Helen traveled to New York, where Martin resided. Over the years, they raised four children, and migrated back to California, then Oregon.

&#8220Helen spent 20-plus years teaching fourth grade in her community. She loved Oregon history, especially Native American history. Helen loved to read and traveled to visit many historic sites. Her love of books led her to volunteer at many libraries after she retired from teaching. Helen had a passion for baking, and one could always count on a bounty of home baked goods in her kitchen. Helen also loved to garden, creating vibrant and welcoming displays outside her home.

&#8220She was a strict but loving mother. Helen was hard working, honest to a fault, and generous with others. She will be missed by many.”

Surviving are her brother, Neil Rowland of San Jose, Calif.; daughters and sons-in-law, Christine and Mark Lee of Wasilla, and Teresa and Larry Smith of Baker City, Ore.; daughter, Kathleen Pierce of San Jose; granddaughters, Tracie Willett of Lake Elsinor, Calif., Bobby-Jo Myers of Salem, Yvonne Lee-Kuehn of Palmer, and Nannette Sperling of Kirkland, Wash.; grandsons, Derrick Pierce of Boise, Idaho, Jason and his wife Emily Smithson of Wasilla, John Myers of Monmouth, and Christopher Myers of Monmouth; and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Martin W. Pierce; son, Thomas G. Pierce; and brother, Richard Rowland. Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel of Wasilla.

Austin Simonds

Palmer resident Austin Simonds, 94, died March 15, 2007, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer, due to heart failure. No services are planned.

His cremated remains will be scattered in the Haines area, where he ran a dog team mail route in the early 1930s.

He was born Sept. 19, 1912, in Washington state. He came to Alaska in 1932, and most recently resided in Palmer. He opened the first Ford dealership in Anchorage, &#8220Westward Motors.”

Survivors are his sons, Chandler and Christopher Simonds; daughter, Klaune Spake; daughter-in-law, Ahna Simonds; and estranged wife, Lori Simonds.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Austin Simonds Memorial Fund in care of Mat Valley Federal Credit Union.

Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel.

Richard Daniel &#8220Rick” Schaerer

Anchorage resident Richard Daniel &#8220Rick” Schaerer, 39, died March 12, 2007. A gathering of family and friends is set for 2 p.m. Sunday, March 25, 2007, at the Carpenters Hall at the corner of 4th and Denali Streets in Anchorage.

He was born Aug. 14, 1967.

He is survived by his parents, Ray and Nita Schaerer of Wasilla; two daughters, Brittaney and Kayla of Anchorage; longtime companion, Catharine Bennett of Anchorage; and many aunts, uncles and cousins throughout the Unites States.

He was preceded in death by grandparents, Clarence and Ruth Schaerer of Chattanooga, Tenn., and J.B. and Bonnie Bates of Rossville, Ga.

He came to Alaska with his parents in 1970 at the age of 3. He graduated from Diamond High School in 1985, and received an associate's degree and advanced diesel training from Denver Automotive and Diesel College. He worked as a transmission mechanic at B&B Transmission, Taylor Transmission, AAMCO Transmission, and Anchorage Chrysler.

During the most recent years, he was able to pursue his passion for gold mining on a full-time basis.

He loved his family, friends, pets, gold mining and the great Alaska outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and four-wheeling, and was an avid gardener. He was an accomplished musician who played trumpet, French horn and guitar. No matter where he was, his tunes were always there, in the middle of the wilderness, or underwater dredging, his family writes.

He could &#8220fix anything that didn't work” and he was never too busy to stop and help others. He had many friends, who all will miss his ready smile.

His ashes will be scattered at the places he loved most, Petersville and Mills Creek.