MOLLY MARIE TAKUMJENAK

Molly Marie Takumjenak died peacefully at the age of 68 in her Wasilla home, May 11, 2010, after battling cancer for nine years.

She chose to spend her final days in Wasilla so she could explore Alaska with her daughter, Brenda, and family.

A private memorial was held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bethel on May 15. She was buried at St. Sophia Russian Orthodox Grave Yard in Lower Kalskag on May 17.

Ms. Takumjenak was born May 13, 1941, at her family’s Johnson River spring camp. Her family travelled from Russian Mission to Lower Kalskag, where she attended school with her siblings. She went to boarding school in Wrangell then returned to Lower Kalskag, where she married Paul Takumjenak at the age of 18 and raised seven children, living a subsistence lifestyle.

Ms. Takumjenak enjoyed working at the U.S. Post Office with her mother while she served on the Kuskokwim Corp. Board. She moved to Bethel in 1985 to work for the Ayalpik Senior Apartments as apartment manager. She then worked as a midwife for Bethel Prematernal Home and a cook for YKHC until her cancer came back in 2006.

“Molly was a loving, compassionate, strong-hearted mother, grandmother, sister and friend,” her family wrote. “She enjoyed exploring Alaska’s wildlife. She loved to pick berries, go fishing, playing bingo with friends and spending time with her family. Molly spent her time making beautiful crafts from beads, fur and yarn.”

She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Mary Valka, and brother, Peter Valka.

She is survived by her sisters, Agatha Valka and Judy Smith; ex-husband, Paul Takumjenak; children, Mary L. Kvamme, Kathleen Drake, Thecla Takumjenak, Clement Takumjenak, Karen Fredericks, Sharon Takumjenak and Brenda Robson; 22 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The family offers a special thanks to Dr. Marino at ANMC Oncology and staff and Mat-Su Health Foundation for the wonderful care given to Ms. Takumjenak. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements were by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel of Wasilla.