Nov. 10, 2006

Ronald John Poelstra

Ronald John Poelstra, 58, died Oct. 27, 2006, at Elmendorf Hospital in Anchorage due to natural causes. A celebration of life is set for 6 p.m. Nov. 24, 2006, at the AmVet in Wasilla on Wasilla-Fishhook Road.

He was born Nov. 29, 1947, in Idaho. He attended 12 years of school and five years of college. He was in the U.S. Army for eight years and served two tours in Vietnam. In December 1999, he moved to Wasilla.

His family stated, &#8220Ronald was a volunteer cook for the Shriners, Masons, AmVets, Christmas Dinner and Vet Center. He helped build the amphitheater and Wonderland Park. Ron was an outstanding volunteer, giving time and commitments directly from the heart.”

He is survived by his wife, Susan Poelstra of Wasilla; father, John Poelstra of Cocolalla, Idaho; sister, Julie Seitz of Vancouver, Wash.; brother, Terry Poelstra of Edna Bay; and son, Ronald Poelstra, Jr. of Derby, Kan.

He was preceded in death by Edna Poelstra.

Memorial donations can be made to the benefit fund for Ronald Poelstra at any Wells Fargo Bank.

His ashes will be scattered at Hatcher Pass in April on the couple's 25th wedding anniversary.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.

Brennan D. Christianson

Brennan D. Christianson, 27, died Nov. 5, 2006, in Houston. A celebration of his life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, 2006, at the Grandview Inn, 2900 E. Parks Hwy. in Wasilla. Coach Jamie Smith and the Rev. Ethan Hansen will officiate. His ashes will be scattered at Loon Lake in Houston and in the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach, Calif.

He was born Nov. 8, 1978, In Anchorage, and graduated from Houston High School in 1997. He attended Pima Community College in Tucson, Ariz., from 1997-1998, Coconino Community College in Flagstaff, Ariz., in 1998 and DeVry Technical Institute in 1999. In 1997, he left Alaska for college in Arizona, living there until 1999. He then moved to Long Beach in 2001, living there until just recently when he moved back to Houston.

He did volunteer work with different friends and organizations, and also worked at the family business, Automatic Welding & Supply Corporation in Anchorage. The past few years, he worked for various businesses in Long Beach, and was a spiritual person. He was the coach of the Big Lake Mites Hockey from 1994-1995 and was the assistant coach of Wasilla youth soccer in 1995. He enjoyed hockey, snowboarding, coaching youth soccer, karaoke, surfing, travel, the beach, comedy, tubing, dancing, singing, acting, reading, surfing and the outdoors.

&#8220Brennan had a wit and humor that was undeniable,” his family wrote. &#8220He was as much of a free spirit as he was a free thinker - who truly lived his life in his own unique way. His kindness toward all animals was something of amazement and marvel. He enjoyed and loved the sunshine and the beach as much as playing on the ice and snow. He had a love of children and was helpful toward all the people around him. He was an old soul and an enduring force.”

He is survived by his mother, Janis M. Christianson of Houston; father, Vernon D. Christianson of Anchorage; sister and brother-in-law, Markie L.C. and Timothy M. C. Blumer of Anchorage; grandmother, Sydney J. Dodge of Sequim, Wash.; his pet and companion, Jelly Bean; great-aunt, Margaret Hickman of Anchorage; cousin, Rochelle (Gussie) Norton of Anchorage; grandfather, William H. Sorgenfrei of Bath, N.Y.; stepmother, Connie Christianson; aunts, LeMay Hupp, Vernice Cothron, Lynette Watson and Phyllis Hunt; uncles, Melford Christianson and Ordell Christianson; and numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Dell C. Dodge; grandmother, Wilma Vik; grandfather, Melvin Christianson; friends and an animal companion.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Big Lake Elementary Hockey, 640 Maney Drive, Wasilla, AK 99654.

Valley Funeral Home and Crematory of Wasilla is assisting the family.

Tanya Marie Peterson

Tanya Marie Peterson, 33, died Nov. 3, 2006, in Kodiak. She was born Nov. 7, 1972, in Anchorage and was a lifelong Alaskan.

She enjoyed camping and fishing, and loved spending time with her nieces and nephews. She touched people's lives and was a very loving and caring person.

She was preceded in death by her father, Nick Peterson Sr; grandparents, Feona and Happy Ozhuwan, Joe and Marie Melovidoff and Fred Shangin.

She is survived by her mother, Annie Shangin of Wasilla; sister, Melanie (Tim) Marsh of Wasilla; brothers, Nick (Priscilla) of Palmer, Fernando (Janell) of Kodiak, Jarred of Wasilla and Dylan of Akhiok; nephews, Edwin, Matthew, Dustin, Nick III and Logan; nieces, Linda, Marie, Andrea, Amber, Tracy and McKayla; and the love of her life, Tom Eggemeyer, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A visitation will be held at the Valley Funeral Home in Palmer, 2020 N. Hemmer Road, on Friday, Nov. 10, 2006, at 11 a.m., followed by services at 2 p.m. The Rev. John Zabinko will officiate.

Condolences can be sent to 7361 W. Parks Hwy. No. 177, Wasilla, AK 99654.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.

Edward Sigvanna Topkok Sr.

Wasilla resident Edward Sigvanna Topkok Sr., 84, died Nov. 6, 2006, at Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, 2006, at Central Lutheran Church, with funeral services following at 11 a.m. The Revs. Karen Sonray and Ken Gabel will officiate. Burial will be at Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery.

He was born Aug. 15, 1922, in Mary's Igloo to Fred and Gussie Auka. He was a cook and ivory carver.

A Wasilla resident, he also had lived in Anchorage, Teller, Seward and Homer.

He was a member of the Lutheran Church and enjoyed hunting, cooking, carving ivory, building boats, and building dog sleds for his nephew, Joe Garnie.

His family wrote that he always made people feel welcome and fed. He had a good sense of humor, he always gave all his kids and nephews and nieces nicknames. He had a special quality to make you feel loved.

Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Andrew and Reta of Anchorage, and Eddie and Morty of Anchorage; son, Willy Tom and his friend, Larry of Anchorage; daughters and sons-in-law, Emma and Warren Olanna of Brevig Mission, and Phyllis Marie and Rob Lemm of Wasilla; first wife, Louise Todd of Wasilla; grandchildren, Walter Ailook Savetilik, Caroline Oquilluk, Anthony Oliveri, Ryan Oliveri, Martin Topkok, Justina Tuckfield, Shannon Miller, Carl Topkok, Colette Topkok, Luke Topkok, Elizabeth Kimbal and Zachary Lemm; six great-grandchildren; sister, Sadie Nook Kakaruk; brothers and sisters-in-law, Alfred Topkok Sr., Chester and Emma Topkok; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Maggie (Pup); foster brothers, Carl, Wayne and Reuben; uncle, Bape Topkok; daughters, Martha Trigg and Alice Topkok; son, Martin Topkok; and special friend and companion, Gretchen Flanigan.

Arrangements were made with Evergreen Memorial Chapel, 737 E Street.