MAUDE IRENE

MUSGROVE

Maude Irene Musgrove, 101, died Feb. 20, 2006, at the Palmer Pioneer Home.

Maude was born March 23, 1904, in Circleville, Kansas, to Mary &#8220Florence” and William Brown and grew up on the family farm. She obtained a teaching certificate in 1923 from the Kansas Department of Education and married Clarence Musgrove on Jan. 12, 1924, in Circleville, Kansas.

Maude worked for Niles Elementary School and the Masonic Temple Retirement Home in California as an assistant cook. She was an experienced homemaker that could make something yummy out of anything. The grandchildren's favorite meal was her chicken and dumplings. Maude loved to play cards, play Scrabble and take long walks.

In the 1960s and '70s, Maude would come to Alaska for &#8220coffee breaks,” arriving on a Friday, spending the weekend visiting, and leaving Sunday. She loved to travel and made extensive trips to New Zealand and Australia.

Maude lived in Hawaii, California and Washington. Around 1980, she moved to Alaska to live with her family. Her final years were spent at the Palmer Pioneer Home. At her 100th birthday celebration she was recognized by President Bush, Sen. Stevens and Gov. Knowles.

She is survived by her daughter, Ada Duarte, California; son and daughter-in-law Leon and Barbara Musgrove, Washington; daughter-in-law Virginia Musgrove, Alaska; 7 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great grandchildren.

Maude was preceded in death by her son, John. No service was held. Arrangements were by Kehl's. Donations may be made to the Palmer Pioneer Home activities department.

Patricia Anne Seime

Patricia Anne Seime, 65 died March 24, 2006, and will be having a service on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, at 11 a.m. at Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Palmer, 2020 N. Hemmer Rd.

Jan Garland Blackburn

Jan Garland Blackburn was born Jan. 7, 1936, in Clermont, Fla. He graduated from Edgewater High School in College Park, Fla., where he met his wife, Wanda, of 50 adventurous years. He peacefully went home to be with the Lord on May 13 from his home in Chugiak.

In 1969, he moved his family from Atlanta, Ga., to Chugiak. He built residential as well as commercial buildings in Anchorage, Chugiak, Eagle River, Mat-Su Valley and Valdez. He owned Frontier Home Finishers and ultimately retired out of Local 341 in Valdez.

He served on the Child Evangelism Fellowship Board and worked with the Anchorage Rescue Mission. He was the coordinator for Wordless Book Caboose at the Alaska State Fair, winning souls for the Lord.

His travels took him and Wanda to the Salt Lake Fair, Olympics in Australia and Greece, where he shared the Gospel message.

Some of his hobbies were building and racing hot rods, gold panning, snowmachining, mosaics, architectural design and playing practical jokes.

Jan was selfless, caring and giving, and had a special knack that made you feel good and inspired you to do good. Wisdom and laughter filled his life and he uplifted everyone he met with his fitting spoken words, stories and touches of humor. His love for the Lord showed as he prayed, read and expounded on the Bible for many hours and late into the night.

Funeral services will be held at Valley Baptist Tabernacle in Wasilla at 3:30 p.m. May 18. Additional services and burial will be at Mt. Carmel Methodist Church in Lynwood, Ga.

He is survived by his beautiful wife, Wanda; adoring daughters and son-in-laws, Belinda and Marty Lovejoy, Jenni and Marvin Kuentzel, Kim and Terry Walker; and devoted son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Cathy Blackburn; many loving grandchildren: Luke, Laura, Andy, Amy, Aaron, Isaac, Jeshua, Hosanna, Brandy, Taylor, Michael, Kathleen, Terry Lee, Gordon Jan, Emily, and great-granddaughter, Cadence.

Arrangements were with

Valley Funeral Home and

Crematory.

Dean Elton Salmeier

Col. Dean Elton Salmeier (U.S. Air Force, retired), 83, died May 12, 2006, at Providence Extended Care in Anchorage.

A service of remembrance will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Mountain View Baptist Church, 300 N. Bragraw, Anchorage. A graveside service with full military honors will take place at Fort Richardson at 2 p.m.

Salmeier was born Dec. 1, 1922 in Nampa, Idaho. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943 and flew B-17 bombers with the 100th Bomb Group in the European theater.

He then flew with the National Guard and joined the regular Air Force in 1951. He retired 22 years later as commander of the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf.

During his distinguished career, he flew more than 6,000 hours, earned numerous awards and citations, including the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, the Air Medals with oak leaf clusters, as well as numerous other personal, unit and campaign commendations. He participated in the atomic warfare exercises in Europe, won top honors in numerous gunnery meets, served two tours in Vietnam, including deputy commander of the first deployment of F-111 fighters into combat.

After the military, he began a new career as a financial planner, fishing lodge operator and bush pilot. He logged another 4,000 hours in the skies of Alaska. He made his home in Willow until 2004, when he moved to Anchorage.

He was active in his church and was secretary of the Christian Pilots Association.

His family wrote, &#8220Dean lived life at full throttle with a bravado, fire and determination that was the hallmark of his remarkable life.”

Col. Salmeier is survived by his wife Carlene and her children, Christine Kriger and Pat Delia; daughters Marta Griggs and Tana Pittman; grandchildren, Michael and Brandy Kriger and Luke Delia; and his sister Elsie Fuller.

Funeral arrangements

are being made by Witzleben Family Funeral Home, 907-

277-1682. Contact Marta Griggs or Carlene Salmeier at

907-337-1374 for additional information.