Muriel Edith (Hanks) Wattum

Muriel Edith (Hanks) Wattum, also known as Mom, Sparkle, Honey, and Mrs. Wattum, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at the age of 75. Family was at her bedside holding her hands, when we all experienced her life force lift.

Muriel Hanks was born Nov. 2, 1941, putting her in ‘The Silent Generation,’ a generation of conformists. Well, let’s move her ahead a few years and lump her in with the ‘Baby Boomers’ – a much better fit given her independent personality.

The Hanks family arrived in Palmer in 1949, moving from Muriel’s birth place of Watsonville, California. After a brief stint in town, they settled at the well-known Hanks House on Farm Loop Road. Muriel was very active, participating in many school clubs and activities. This was when the air waves were dominated by Elvis Presley and free love. One might reflect back and feel a tinge of compassion for Marne and Lew, her parents. Muriel blossomed with a rapid series of events. You were either “along for the ride” or you were “left in the dust.” She was not going to miss a moment in life, and the fun didn’t start until Muriel arrived.

Muriel discovered early in life that she was an instigator - possessing the charisma that could incite anyone to join her in doing the unexpected; rules tended to be for those who read the fine print anyway. One of the highlights of mom’s life was being crowned as Miss Matanuska Valley in 1958. Her campaign to become Queen was an entire family mission.

Owning and operating Independence Mine Ski Resort in equal parts with her husband Ben, and folks, Marne and Lew, was a major life event from 1966-1974. It was a large undertaking. Muriel, of course, cut through the fresh snow on skis with grace and ease. We have many fond memories of family holidays and events, including Christmas trees that were 20 feet tall and set up in the main lodge. It was amazing!

Muriel graduated with her degree in education from UAA in 1970. Her confidence grew as she began doing what she truly enjoyed – teaching! She loved being a teacher. She started her career at Swanson Elementary and transferred to Sherrod School when it opened in 1971. Every school year ended with a big camping trip - parents and students loved it.

Summer was when mom went into full on over-drive mode: fishing, gardening, camping, boating, berry-picking, hiking, harvesting and mushroom hunting. If there was a season for it, she did it. She had an internal compass combined with pride that never allowed her to admit to getting lost.

Muriel was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1976. The MS crept forward with only mild symptoms. As these symptoms became progressively more disruptive, Muriel and Ben began travelling the world, experiencing as much as possible, knowing that down the road, life with MS would become more limiting.

Muriel received her Master of Education from UAA in 1986. She was so pleased to be able to walk for the ceremony. She retired from teaching in 1993. The hurdles of accessible parking, ramps into the building and the bathroom became overwhelming. She decided it was time. On the home front, Ben continually modified the house over the years, making every adjustment to allow Muriel to maintain her daily activities.

Through it all, when examining the details – Muriel had a grand life! Yes, there were problems, conflicts and a million other things known to just a few, however, she lived. That sounds insufficient – yet she did. Muriel wasn’t focused on survival, pain, surgery or negatives. She lived for the experience of living life each day. Regardless if that experience was a restaurant, a drive, watching Monk, Matlock or Murder She Wrote, she lived life to the fullest.

Muriel was an unpredictable driving force, whose strength within over-flowed whenever she laughed or smiled in that knowing way. Her passion for life showed through her dedication to her various groups, in her volunteering activities, and in her love for her friends and family. Her family is vast.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Ben Wattum (Palmer, Alaska); son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Mary Lisa Wattum and their two children, Ari and Lexy (Davenport, Florida); daughter and son-in-law, Lennie (Wattum) and Kurt Torgerson and their two children, Liv Sherwood and Lars (Oregon City, Oregon); and daughter and daughter-in-law Kate Wattum and Cathy Weeg and their three children, Tyler McClendon, Birdie and Jessie (Fairbanks, Alaska); sister Jane (Hanks) Hull and her two children, Logan and Kelly Hull Aho (Fairbanks, Alaska); and brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Rose Marie Hanks and their three children, Judy Hawkins, Kathy Rickel and Ken (Fairbanks, Alaska).

Other close family and friends: Joel and Barb Wattum and their children Jay, Keller, Gail Spain and Sarah; Neal Liberty; Linda Bath; Juanita Mendoza; Linda Stucbartova; Sandy Sloan; Jan Evans; Patty Coyne; Ann Longley; Gerry and Charice Chambers and countless others.

Muriel was preceded in death by her parents, Lew and Marne Hanks and one grandchild, Emma Jean Torgerson.

Memorial donations may be made to Valley Performing Arts (www.valleyperformingarts.org), where mom has enjoyed many a performance, both as an actress (1962) and as a patron.