Margaret Pauline Kloep

Long time Alaska Pioneer, Margaret Pauline Kloep (“Polly”), 91, of Wasilla, Alaska passed away on July 9, 2016 at the Matsu Regional Care Center in Wasilla. She was born in Commerce, Oklahoma on January 4, 1925. She attended Greenfield High School in Greenfield, Missouri. During WWII in 1942, she moved to Pittsburg, California where she married Richard G. Kloep (“Dick”). He was the love of her life and they were married for 43 years.

She moved with Dick to Anchorage in 1949. They owned Tip’s Bar in Eagle River in the 1950’s. First a homemaker raising her children, she lived in Anchorage, Cordova, Glennallen, Annette Island, and Ketchikan; while Dick worked on the White Alice Communication System from 1958-1975. While in Ketchikan in early 1970s she worked at Pruell’s Tom Sawyer’s Jewelry. She moved to Anchorage in 1975 when Dick became a Business Agent for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302. She worked at 1st National Bank of Anchorage in the early 1990’s. Polly moved to Wasilla in 2004 to the Wasilla Senior Center, Alder View Apartments. There, she organized potlucks and decorated her apartment building for all the holidays especially Christmas. She loved needlepointing, music, and dancing.

Polly was an active member of many social organizations in Alaska. Her favorite was the Pioneers of Alaska Women’s Igloo No. 4. She was a delegate at many of the organization’s conventions held all over Alaska.

Polly will be remembered by her children for her devotion to her husband, her family and her friends; her zest for life; and “being forever young.” Her grandchildren will remember her for being the quintessential “Golden Girl” and a loving grandmother who listened with an open mind and heart supporting their highest aspirations. She will be remembered by the many friends she made over the years for her radiant smile, warm personality and her sunny and optimistic outlook on life.

Polly is preceded in death by her parents, George and Helen Harris, her sister Virginia Epling and her husband, Dick who died in 1986. Polly is survived by her children Carolyn (James) Gordon, David (Michelle Kincaid) Kloep, Kimber (Mark) Humphrey and Christopher (Terri) Kloep. She has nine grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.

Polly’s only request was that her ashes be scattered with Dick’s in Prince William Sound.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.alaskacremation.com.