MARGARET A. DESJARLAIS

Palmer resident Margaret Anne Desjarlais, 40, died Jan. 2, 2004, in Sutton.

A small service was held for immediate family and invited close friends at Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla. A celebration of her life was held for all who knew and loved her Jan. 10 at the Train Depot in Palmer.

Miss Desjarlais was born July 20, 1963, in Chicago, Ill.. She was a high school graduate. Miss Desjarlais became a resident of Alaska in 1982. She had lived in Wasilla, Willow and Palmer. She had worked as a clerk for Knik Kountry Store from 1984 to 1995. She served as a teacher's aide at Willow School from 1998 to 2002. From 2002 until her death, she was employed at Valley Hospital in materials management. Miss Desjarlais loved the adventure of travel.

Her family wrote: "Known to everyone as Maggie, she was a selfless volunteer who touched many lives and was loved by all who knew her. Her smile and laugh, always ready, lifted hearts and removed burdens. Maggie's devotion as a mother and a wife-to-be is a loss, which will be deeply felt. We miss Maggie. We miss her very much."

Miss Desjarlais is survived by her son, Alexander David Desjarlais of Wasilla; her fianc/, Paul A. Schranz of Palmer; brothers, Robin D. Roberts and Dale J. Suydam of Arizona; and sister, Lynn M. Suydam of Arizona.

Arrangements are with Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.