Mary Carr

December 04, 1931 - March 13, 2026 64-year Wasilla resident, Mary Carr, known to her family as Grandma Grandma, passed away from complications from dementia on March 13, 2026. She was 94 years old. Mary’s warm smile lit up every room she entered; a lasting memory for all who knew her. She will be fondly remembered for her two superpowers, cooking and fishing. She could make a delicious meal out of scraps, and she could catch a fish in a mud puddle! Every day in the final two weeks of her life, she was serenaded at her bedside by family and friends who gathered to sing goodbye. Mary was born on Dec. 4, 1931, in Polson, Montana, to parents Pauline Ann (Rau) Knutson and Father John Arther Knutson, a survivor of the historic Lost Battalion of World War I. Mary’s mother died when she was 2 years old, so was driven to live on-again, off-again with both sets of grandparents. Mary always felt unfortunate to have been raised without a mother; a feeling she heartfully expressed over the years. Mary attended first grade at Valley View School in Polson, Montana; 2nd grade at Kalispell, Montana and later 4th grade at Lothair, Montana. At 11-years old she moved to Tacoma, Washington to live fulltime with her father. While living with her father, she had the tremendous responsibility of grocery shopping and preparing most of the meals. She had an open account at the local grocery store. She loved her new-found independence. During high school she moved back to Polson where she attended Polson High School. She worked at a Polson restaurant as a dish washer and later waited tables. People continually commented that she was the best waitress they’d ever had. Her typical tips were 10 cents. Mary married Claire Buchman in 1950, and had two children, Gary and Paula. After 5 years of marriage, they divorced. Mary’s ex-brother-in-law introduced her to Derald “Red” Carr. They married in 1959. A year after their marriage, they welcomed their 3rd child, John. The family moved to Alaska in January of 1962 via an old-style DC-6 prop plane. Mary’s father had roots in Alaska in the 1950’s, gold minding in Fairbanks. Mary recounted that her father won the Nenana Ice Classic one year, garnering a $1,500 prize. Soon after their arrival in Alaska, the Carr family squatted in the Carl Ganz cabin on Fairview Loop living off the grid, befitting modern trendy terms - no water, cardboard for insulation, and an outhouse in the back yard. Mary learned how to bake bread on the wood-fired cook stove in the cabin; a skill that launched her future baking career. They partnered with Mary’s brother to purchase the Ted Knutson property on Fairview Loop, with the intention to become potato farmers. 3 months after arriving in Alaska, they bought the Holstein farm on Fairview Loop ($25,000 for the 120 acres). Years later, Red and Mary subdivided their property in 1979, which developed Carr Street, off Fairview Loop. They realized their farming goal and grew potatoes commercially for 8-10 years. Mary and sister-in-law, Lois Knutson, ran the potato harvesting crews. They sold the potatoes to the Matanuska Valley Cooperative Association (The Coop). Mary worked as the head baker at the Mat-Su School District Central Kitchen located at Iditarod Elementary School, 1973-1988. She enjoyed baking fresh homemade baked goods for the kids. Mary was a member of the VFX Auxiliary, Pioneers of Alaska, Homemaker’s Club, and Valley Gardening Club Charter member. Gardening was a true love. The Sitka Rose was her favorite flower. One year she won the Grand Champion prize for her Sitka Rose Petal Jelly at the Ninilchik Fair. Mary was a woman of opinion and wisdom. Her most notorious judicious words voiced to her family was, “If you cuss, your tongue will turn black and fall right off!” Young listeners were often left wide-eyed! In the early 60s, Mary started the Plump Stump Sister’s Band along with 2 friends. It consisted of an accordion player, piano player, and a washboard player. She played the washboard, commanding the rhythm of the music. Her animated sway and clap style brought excitement to the show. They had great fun performing around the Valley and Anchorage. A highlight for the band was their performance at Anchorage’s swanky Westward Hotel. After retirement, she and Red enjoyed travelling in their RV across North and Central America, with excursions as far south as El Salvador and as far north as Nova Scotia. Until the last 10 years, most summers were spent at Deep Creek where they enjoyed navigating the Cook Inlet aboard their C-Dory, The Mary Red. Mary was the matriarch of her close-knit family. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by two brothers, Jim and Bill Knutson. She is survived by her husband, Red Carr; Children: Gary Buchman (Meredith), Paula Groundwater (Lance), and John Carr Sr. (Brenda); Grandchildren: John Groundwater (Shannon), Katie Tsigonis (Abe), John Carr Jr. (Cassie), James Carr, and Kimberley Boitz (Wayne); and numerous greatgrandchildren, nieces, and nephews.