May 12, 2006

FILLMORE LEOPOLD

Palmer resident Fillmore Leopold, 76, died May 7, 2006, in Seattle at the VA Puget Sound Hospital. No services are planned. His ashes will be spread over Mount Yenlo, where he lived out his Alaska dream.

He was born Feb. 14, 1930, in Merrill, Wisc., to August and Anna Leopold. He was the third youngest of 10 children.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1951, and served three years during the Korean War. He was awarded the Purple Heart, a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, an Oak Leaf Cluster, two Bronze Service Arrow Heads and two overseas service bars.

Hearing of the pristine and rugged wilds of Alaska, he and his family moved from Wisconsin to Fairbanks in 1975 in hopes of working on the pipeline and possibly living the Alaska dream in the rugged wilderness. He didn't procure work on the pipeline, but six months later, found a construction company in Anchorage where he was a heavy-duty equipment operator. During non-construction seasons, he was able to fulfill his dream of building a cabin with his family in Skwentna and living out his Alaska dream.

To friends and family, he was known as &#8220Tug” or &#8220Pa.”

His family writes, &#8220Pa will be remembered for his adventurous spirit. He was the kind of man who could use duct tape and a paper clip to fix anything. Besides his love of fishing, working with wood, and being a history buff, he made a mean banana bread.”

He enjoyed being around his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Irene; sons, Guy, Roy and Phil Leopold; daughter, Ann Miller; daughters-in-law, Fizz Leopold and Mary Leopold; son-in-law, Kevin Miller; grandsons, Brock Leopold and Conner Miller; brothers, William and Albert Leopold; sister, Shirley Pfingsten; and many nephews and nieces in Wisconsin.

&#8220Life is only as good as the memories we make.” Author: The Ataris.

Thanks for the memories, Pa.

KENNETH RICHARD JACKSON

Kenneth Richard Jackson, 76, passed away April 6, 2006, in Wenatchee, Wash. Private services were held by the family.

He was born on June 22, 1929, in Detroit to Charles Carter Jackson and Bertha Mary (Marzelak) Jackson. He joined the U.S. Marines Corps in 1946, and the U.S. Army in 1951. He was a Detroit police officer from 1954 until 1957. He met Annette Blair in 1954 and they married March 11, 1955. Kenneth and Annette, with their 10-month-old son Charles, left Detroit for Alaska in April of 1957, hoping to fulfill Kenneth's dream of experiencing life in the wilderness.

After 3 years with the Anchorage Police Department, that opportunity presented itself. Kenneth, his wife and three sons, Charles, Kenneth Jr. and Brooks, moved to Lake Louis in 1961. That summer, Kenneth and Annette made it across the lake into the town of Glennallen for the birth of their fourth son, Forrest Blair. The 14 months spent on Lake Louise truly was the experience of a lifetime. At long last, Kenneth's dream had been realized, but due to finances, was short lived. In early summer of 1962, they headed to Seward, where a job was waiting for Ken with the Seward Police Department. Daniel Rene, their fifth son, was born in Seward in 1965.

Kenneth retired in 1985 from Spenard Builders in Anchorage, and his wife Annette retired from Alascom in 1990. They retired to Okanogan, Wash., in 1993 then moved to Omak, Wash., in 2004, where Annette now resides. In 2007, Annette plans to move back to Wasilla, to live out the rest of her days by her sons and their families.

&#8220He gave me the independence to become the woman I now am,” she said. &#8220He helped me become a woman of substance instead of a woman with a closed mind. Kenneth was an adventurous man, a deep thinker drawn to the spiritual side of life, a loyal husband, father and grandfather. A quiet man of few words. We will miss the husband, father, and grandfather of these almost 51 years. We will treasure the memories of the time spent together here on earth until we are all together with Kenneth, Charles, Brooks and all of the dear ones who have gone before us to where we all came from many years ago.”

He is survived by his wife, Annette Blair Jackson of Omak; son, Kenneth Richard Jackson Jr. and his children, Kendra Annette and Karen Marguerite, and the children's mother, Cheryl Leigh (Hamilton) Jackson of Wasilla; son, Forrest Blair Jackson, his wife, Cynthia Lou Jackson, his daughter, Kylie M. Lammera, and Cynthia's children, Zachariah, Benjamin, Jeremiah and John of Wasilla; sister, Dorothy Regina (Jackson) Banyash and her children of Detroit; son, Daniel Rene Jackson and his children, Daniel Vincent and Justin Charles Jackson of Wasilla; sister, June Lorrain (Jackson), her husband, Donald Grave, and their children of Rogers City, Mich.; and sister-in-law, Gay Jackson and her children, Brandon Darrin and Cameron of Omak.

He was preceded in death by his sons, Charles Carter Jackson and Brooks Endicott Jackson; and sister, Agnes Mary Jackson.

ROBERT GRANT FUGE

Meadow Lakes resident Robert &#8220Bob” Fuge, 62, died peacefully May 7, 2006, at home after a long battle with esophageal cancer.

A memorial service is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday, May 13, 2006, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Mile 51 Parks Hwy.

He was born Nov. 28, 1943, in Freeport, N.Y.

He joined the U.S. Army in October of 1963, and was then stationed in Alaska at Fort Richardson in 1964, arriving the day of the earthquake. He was honorably discharged in October 1966. After moving back to New York for six months, he came back to Alaska in 1967 for good. He worked at Conrights, Montgomery Ward, and Northern Commercial until July 1971, when he began working for the Greater Anchorage Area Borough in its Wastewater Collection Maintenance Section. By the time he retired in April 1999, he had worked his way up to superintendent systems maintenance, O&M division, Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility.

Though he enjoyed his work for the municipality, he was a professional fisherman at heart, spending hours perfecting his fly-cast technique in the front yard and mastering the art of tying flies. He also had a natural talent for woodworking, was a gourmet cook and an avid gardener. In 2002, he moved to and built a new home in Meadow Lakes, where he enjoyed being closer to his grandchildren. He received great pleasure taking his favorite grandchildren fishing, sharing his &#8220secret” recipes with them, showing them how to build unique birdhouses, and, of course, teaching them how to tie their own fishing flies.

At the age of 50, after several years of study and research of the Bible, he dedicated his life to Jehovah, becoming one of Jehovah's Witnesses.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Helen; son and daughter-in-law, Shannon and Amy; daughter, Samantha; grandchildren, Zayne and Chyanne; brothers, George and Bill of New York; and sister, Joan Meyer of Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Frances; brother, Charles; and sister, Margaret.

Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

KATHRYN THERESA FREELY

Kathryn Theresa Freely, 76, died April 29, 2006, at her home in Willow due to Alzheimer's disease.

She was born October 23, 1929, in Rome, N.Y., and came to Alaska in June of 1963. She lived in Tok until 1968, then in Anchorage until 1982 before moving to Willow. Kathryn worked as a clerk for the U.S. Probation office for eight years in Anchorage. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and spending time with her husband, Gerald C. Freely of Willow, who survives her. She also is survived by a brother, Donald Simpson of Cheyenne, Wyo.; and sister, Mary Dresser of Ohio. No services are planned.

BEVERLY JANE DAGLEY WALLNER

Pioneer Alaskan Beverly Dagley Wallner, 78, passed away May 6, 2006, in Wasilla, at the home of her youngest daughter with her family gathered near her.

She was born Feb. 18, 1928, in Harrisburg, Penn. She migrated to California in 1942. There she met Tom Dagley, her first husband and father to their four children. They moved north in 1955, and started a unique Alaska life. Beverly and her family raced sled dogs, homesteaded and lived a subsistence lifestyle.

The family also worked a gold mine north of Fairbanks. Beverly did not know how to cook when she arrived in Alaska, but she soon became expert in putting in a large, productive garden.

She loved to fish in streams or lakes, and became adept at cooking over a campfire. She raised her children to be self-sufficient and love the Lord. She remained active in her faith throughout the years.

When Tom Dagley passed away, she went to live with her eldest daughter's family, and helped raise her grandsons.

She worked in the radiology department of Providence Hospital and retired after 18 years. She then moved out to the Valley to live with her youngest daughter's family. After joining her church, she met Leonard Wallner Sr., who was retired from the Alaska Railroad. They married Dec. 8, 2001.

Beverly was both an accomplished, published writer of prose and talented photographer. She spent many years perfecting her photography of flowers and the beautiful Alaskan scenery. Her exquisite art has been seen the world over. Her greatest delight was to give her art away. Alaska was her passion and her home. Her ashes will be spread near Mount McKinley.

She is survived by her husband, Leonard Wallner Sr.; her brother, Lee Pretz and his wife, Carol, of Washington; son, Charles Dagley and his wife, Leanna, of Anchorage; daughter, Beverly &#8220Jaiden” Dagley of Wasilla; son, James Dagley of Wasilla; daughter, Barb Adams and her husband, Sam, of Wasilla; stepson, Leonard Wallner Jr., and his wife, Vicky, of Palmer; four grandsons and three granddaughters.

A memorial service was Thursday at Valley Baptist Tabernacle.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.

JANET W. LUCAS

A memorial service for Janet W. Lucas of Wasilla, who died Dec. 7, 2005, is scheduled for 3 p.m. May 20, 2006, at First Presbyterian Church of Wasilla.

JOANN KAY GARNER

JoAnn Kay Garner, 47, died May 9, 2006, at her home in Wasilla. A viewing and funeral service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at the Palmer Chapel, 2020 Hemmer Road in Palmer. There will be a barbecue in her remembrance at the Matanuska River park immediately following the service, weather permitting. Those attending are encouraged to bring a favorite dish.

She was born Jan. 20, 1959, in Duluth, Minn., and has resided in Palmer, Anchorage and Soldotna, and most recently in Wasilla. She was a stay-at-home mom who loved spending all of her time with her family.

Her family said, &#8220In loving memory of JoAnn K. Garner, the greatest mom, friend, aunt, daughter and sister. All have been very blessed for the time they have had with her. She loved life to the fullest up to her very last breath.”

She is survived by daughter, Tonya Beeler of Wasilla; son, Joe Garner of Palmer; daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Roger Smith of Palmer; granddaughter, Shelby Smith of Palmer; grandson, Joshua Smith of Palmer; companion, Larry Beeler of Wasilla; Mother, Elvie Kinnunen of Sabeka, Minn.; sisters, Jean Hendersen of Paducah, Ky. and Judy Koehnen of Menahga, Minn.; brothers, Dennis Kinnunen of Frazee, Minn. and Bobby Kinnunen of Symsoni, Ky.; nephew, Brad Christensen and his wife, Amber, of Anchorage; great-nephew, Daniel Christensen of Anchorage; and lifelong friends, Cheryl Facine of Anchorage and Chris Woodard of Wasilla. She also is survived by six nephews and three nieces. She was preceded in death by her brother, Roy Kinnunen; and father, Arnold Kinnunen.

Memorial contributions may be mailed to 649 E. Eklutna St., Palmer 99645.

Her cremated remains will be buried at Jim Cooks Cemetery in Menahga at a later date.