Paul Huppert

Paul Huppert

Paul A. Huppert – June 7, 1925 – March 9, 2022

Paul passed peacefully at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home, Palmer, Alaska surrounded by family on March 9, 2022.

A potluck and celebration of his life will be held at the Elks Lodge, 2600 N Barry’s Resort Drive, Wasilla, Alaska, Saturday, April 9, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. We welcome everyone to come and share stories of his life.

Paul was born to Alexander and Elizabeth Huppert in Mildred, Montana on June 7, 1925. He was one of 12 children. His family moved to Ellensburg, Washington to farm when Paul was 9 years old. On June 7, 1942, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Paul was stationed in the South Pacific as part of the Naval Air Corp and was honorably discharged January 26, 1946. He loved telling stories about his many adventures while in the Navy. Paul married Bernice E. Kludas, in June of 1946. They were married for 55 years. They farmed in the Sunnyside, Washington area, and Paul drove a city bus in Seattle. Paul moved his family to Alaska in 1954 along with two of his brothers, Mat and Leo, and their families. They homesteaded in the Little Susitna area.

Over the years Paul worked for a chicken farm, picked up milk for the Matanuska Maid Dairy, milked cows, worked at the Evan Jones Coal Mine and managed the Matanuska Maid produce department.

Paul started his own business, Paul Huppert Distributor which distributed Matanuska Maid dairy products throughout the Valley and Eagle River. He started Palmer Produce, Inc., a wholesale produce distributor that marketed for local farmers and generations of his family statewide. Paul started Butte Farms, Inc., raising potatoes with his son Jerry. Paul was involved in agriculture for over 60 years in Alaska. He was also partners in other businesses, G&H Distributors, Lazy Mountain Aviation, KLH Inc., Alaska Agriquip, a warehouse and cooling facility for Alaska grown vegetables, and Diamond Bar 7.

Paul loved to be involved in his community. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and flew several search missions. He was secretary/treasurer for the coal miners’ union. He served on several boards: the Wasilla School Board, Matanuska Telephone Association, Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly and Planning and Zoning Committee, Alaska Commercial Fishing & Agriculture Bank, NWTAC, Alaska Agricultural Action Council and Matanuska Maid Dairy Board.

Paul was an avid aviator and owned several planes during his lifetime. He was instrumental in acquiring land for the Butte Municipal Airport. He enjoyed taking people flying over the family farm and Matanuska Valley. He continued flying into his 80’s.

Paul is survived by his children: Gerald Huppert (Palmer), Paula Giauque (Palmer), John Huppert (Anchorage), Diane Addington (Anchorage), a son-in-law Eugene Huston (Palmer), nine grandchildren, Troy Huppert, Greg (Lori) Giauque, Brian Huston, Teri (Bobby) Bernowski, April (Steve) Kramer, Josh (Rachel) Lutz, Nisha Huston, Kim (Pat) Beam, Paul (Heidi) Huppert, 12 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, seven brothers, his wife, Bernice, their daughter Connie Huston, son-in-law Jerry Giauque and granddaughter-in-law Petra Huppert.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Legacy Funeral Homes Kehl’s