Nancy Colbeth

Nancy Colbeth

Resident of Palmer for 80 years, passed away July 31, 2018, at Mat-Su Regional Hospital, Alaska.

Nancy was born to Darrell and Lois Frank on November 15, 1933 in Mio, Michigan. Her parents moved from Michigan to Palmer in 1935 with daughters Joanne and Nancy, along with 200 other Colonists who were chosen to develop the Matanuska Valley. She graduated from Palmer High School in 1951, and she went on to the University of Alaska, Fairbanks from 1954 to 1955. From 1956 to 1963, Nancy worked for U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. For the next 17 years, she was Owner of Horseshoe Drive-In (Palmer). From 1991 to 1997, she owned and operated Arctic Kwik Mart (Palmer). She retired in 1997, drove down to Arizona Desert, where she bought a motor home and then did “Boondocking” every winter in Quartzsite, AZ and The Slabs in California. Nancy would return each April to Oregon, winterize her rig and put it into storage and once again, drove the Alcan to spend the summers in Palmer. She loved fishing, hiking sightseeing, the outdoors and especially animals. She was a member of Roving Rods and met many other fishing friends.

Nancy is survived by her brother Darrell Frank (Sandi) and nieces Joni Caulkins (Fritz), Karen Bielefeld (Jim), Katherine Hartley, Billie Smith, Duree French, Dannie Edgerton, Darcy Robbins, Delicia McSweeney and Cousins Merle Frank and Judith Walker Cook.

She was predeceased by her parents Darrell and Ann Frank, sister Joanne Hartley, brother Randy Frank and love of her life Richard Slagle.

According to Nancy’s wishes, a Celebration of Life was held for family at Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary. Steele Clayton delivered the Eulogy. Cousin Merle Frank spoke of Nancy’s life. Stacey Sunde sang for the services. Nancy’s ashes were later scattered on Lazy Mountain.