Obits

August 14, 2007

GERALD KUHNS

Gerald Raymond Kuhns passed away July 28, 2007, in Raeford, N.C., with family by his side. He was 65.

Kuhns was born Jan., 30, 1942, to Ira and Freda Kuhns of Riverton, Iowa.

He moved to Alaska with the U.S. Army as a police dog trainer in the 1970s and lived in the Anchorage area until his health required the care of his family on the East Coast.

Kuhns loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, and was an avid animal lover.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Lois Kuhns and infant daughter Dianne Kuhns. He is survived by sons Jody, Stoney and Clay Kuhns of Anchorage; daughters Karen Cummings of Raeford, N.C., Joanie and Denise Kuhns of Pennsylvania and Holly Flagor of Wasilla. Kuhns is also survived by many grandchildren.

DELLA W. MITCHELL

Wasilla and longtime Alaska resident Della W. Mitchell died Aug. 4, 2007, at L.V.'s Homecare in Wasilla.

She was 84.

A memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Palmer Masonic Temple, 1022 Cobb St., and presided over by the Order of the Eastern Star.

Mitchell was born Dec. 9, 1922, in Columbia County, Fla., to A.H. and May (Kinard) Witt. She was a full-time homemaker.

Mitchell was a member of Eastern Star chapters Denali No. 16 in Anchorage and Mat Valley No. 14 in Palmer.

She loved vegetable and flower gardening.

She was a great cook and furnished many meals to friends, loved ones and members of the Masonic Lodge and Order of the Eastern Star.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Burly Mitchell.

Survivors are her son, Bill Mikell of Palmer; grandsons William (Julie) Mikell and Stephen Mikell; granddaughter Kathleen Mikell (Thomas) Conely; adopted son, daughter and granddaughter Roger, Ginny and Bonnie Gayle Tabor; and adopted grandson Robert Collier.

In place of flowers please make donations to the Parkinson Disease Foundation or the Shriner's Burn Center.

Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel & Crematory of Wasilla.