MARSHA MARIE MELTON

Marsha Melton, long-time Alaskan, died at her home, surrounded by friends and family, Dec. 30, 2001, from complications of esophageal cancer. A family service for her was Jan. 5, 2002, and a public memorial will be May 4, 2002, at Raven Hall on the Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer.

Mrs. Melton was born Feb. 18, 1934, in Blue Water, N.M., to Ed and Mazell Lehr. She met and married Len Melton after a brief courtship in Belen, N.M. They moved to Alaska, arriving in Anchorage in April of 1957. They homesteaded in the Meadow Lakes area in late 1957. Marsha was an extremely active and enthusiastic person in many pursuits: personal, business and family.

She was a homemaker, dairywoman, truck driver, farmer, PTA member and served on election boards in the Wasilla area. The family moved to the Palmer area in the 1973 and she and her husband, Len, operated a beef ranch for more than 14 years.

As a volunteer, Marsha was already involved with horse shows and racing at the fairgrounds and served as arena secretary for the Rodeo Association. Marsha went to work for the Alaska State Fair in 1974 and became general manager in 1977. Her tenure saw tremendous growth and expansion. She retired from the fair in 1990.

After retirement, she opened a restaurant, The Colony Inn Too, in the Colony Dorm building, which was a successful gathering place. She sold the restaurant in 1997.

Marsha was an enthusiastic booster of agriculture and served as executive secretary of the Farm Bureau for more than 10 years, until the time of her death. She served as a committee member on the Farm Service Agency for eight years, until her death. She served on the Palmer City Council for 13 years, was active in Youth Council and belonged to the Palmer Chamber of Commerce. She joined Palmer Kiwanis in April of 1989 and served as President in 2000-2001. She was a mainstay of the Annual Kiwanis Golf Tournament and helped to raise funds for service projects.

Hobbies and special interests for Marsha included cooking, being a grandmother and mother. She loved mowing her own lawn, gardening, canning and community service. She will be very much missed in many areas of the community and state. Her husband, Len said, "Marsha was the most loyal and steadfast person I have ever known. She was loved and/or respected by her family and friends from near and far. She was a very positive person who looked for the best in everyone, and her sense of humor never abandoned her even in distress and failing health."

Survivors include her husband of 47 plus years, Len; children, Jeff, Laura (Sis), Randy (Hoot) and his wife, Marsha K., and Craig and his wife, Sheila; grandchildren, Jordan, Derek, KayLeigh, Josh, Ian, Tessa and Erik; sister-in-law, Marylou Zugg and husband, Richard; brothers-in-law, Perry and Jeanette, John and Kathy, and Dee and Marsha; and many nieces and nephews; cousin, Tom Proctor and wife, Dianne; and various other cousins.

Marsha's favorite charity was St. Jude's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Memorials may be made to the charity of donor's choice.