Pearla Elizabeth Coleman

Pearla Elizabeth Coleman, 76, died May 24, 2013.

She was born Nov. 22, 1936, in Washington state and became a longtime Alaska resident after homesteading in Willow with her husband, Robert Coleman.

Elizabeth — or Bunny, as those close knew her — raised 10 children and was the proud grandmother of dozens of beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was proceeded in death by her husband; sons, Gregrey and Edward; granddaughter, Christine.

Surviving are son, Robert Jr.; daughters, Shereen, Laureen, Tareen, Joireen, Kathereen, Mareen and Janeen; grandchildren, Christopher C, Zenetta, Erica, Christopher A., Heather, Ariana, Marina, Michael, Sarah, Jarrod, Faith, Jamie, Jason, Jessica, Joshua, Hayley, Janelle, Joleen, Jenessa and Daymin; and siblings, Myrna, Judy, John and Glenda.

Elizabeth, a Colville Tribal member, lived through the great quake in Anchorage, spent summers enjoying the outdoors with activities such as gardening and fishing, and winters sewing, crafting and tending to family.

“Mother, grandmother and independent Alaskan woman, you will be missed. We love you,” her family wrote.

A graveside service is at 1 p.m., May 31 at Sparrows Song Cemetery in Willow.

Funeral arrangements by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory.