Nettie Sargent Case

After receiving last rites from Father John Zabinko of St. Innocent Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Anchorage, Nettie Sargent Case, 85, died March 2, 2011, due to complications related to Alzheimer’s disease.

The youngest of 13 children, Nettie was born Oct. 8, 1925, in Kodiak to Frederick and Fern Sargent. The Sargents were among the founding families of Kodiak. Nettie often shared loving memories about her Papa, a commercial fisherman who would sail to San Francisco and bring home treasures for the family. Occasionally, Nettie and her mother traveled to San Francisco from their home (the “big house”) in Kodiak. She was proud of her Russian and Alaska Native heritage and remained close to her many siblings.

During a visit to her sister, Mary, in Dayton, Texas, Nettie met Norman Case, the brother of Mary’s husband. Nettie and Norman were married in 1946 and resided in Hardin, Texas. Their two children were born and raised in Texas and have fond memories of their mother’s enthusiastic participation in their school and extracurricular activities. Additionally, Nettie shared her beautiful voice in the choir at Hardin Methodist Church were she also taught Sunday school.

Diagnosed with tuberculosis shortly after the birth of her daughter, Nettie was sadly separated from Norm and her children for four and a half years. Throughout these difficult years, Norm was devoted to his wife, visiting her in Tyler, Texas, every weekend while his parents cared for the children.

In 1962, the family relocated to Anchorage, where Norm took a position with the state of Alaska. Nettie worked for many years at ANMC, retiring in 1991. After retirement, Nettie and Norm moved to Wasilla. They delighted in spending time with their grandchildren whenever they had the opportunity. Nettie was a gifted seamstress and later developed a talent for quilting. She loved to read, quilt, sew, do puzzles and play cribbage.

Nettie was a member of the Turnagain Methodist Church and the VFW Women’s Auxiliary.

Nettie lost Norm in 1999 and spent her final years living with memory loss, residing in the home of her daughter and in various care facilities.

Preceding her in death were her beloved husband and all but three of her siblings. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Sheri Case of Blaine, Wash.; daughter and son-in-law, Archie and Gordon O’Blenness of Wasilla; sister, Fern Cleghorn of San Francisco; brothers and sister-in-law, Neil and June Sargent of Clarkston, Wash., and Edward Sargent of Kodiak; grandchildren and spouses, Jeffrey and Jayme Case, Nikolas O’Blenness, David and Tennille O’Blenness and Tracey O’Blenness; nieces, Gwen Steelman of Madras, Ore., and Nancy Hunt of Boise, Idaho; nephew, Fred Case of Homer; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews and their children.

The family has requested memorial contributions be directed to Mat-Su Regional Hospice, 950 E. Bogard Rd. Suite 132, Wasilla, AK 99654.

Arrangements by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.