Rodney Raymond Cottle

Wasilla resident Rodney Raymond Cottle, 81, died after a two-year battle with Leukemia on Aug. 5, 2013, at his home on Lake Lucille.

Rod was born Dec. 28, 1931, in Yellow Creek, Penn., and came to Alaska at the age of 16 in 1948 over the Alaska Highway with three brothers. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation.

Rod worked for the state of Alaska Department of Corrections from January 1962 until he retired in 1984, the summers he worked for the Alaska Railroad 1950 to 1952, U.S. Army 1952 to 1954 and McKinley Park the summer of 1959. He was active in the following organizations: First Presbyterian Church, Wasilla Volunteer Firefighters, AMVETS, American Legion, Lions Club, Elks, Little Dribblers, Little League Coach, MEA Board of Directors and Crime Stoppers.

Rod enjoyed family, especially his grandchildren, Round Table, golf and watching the loons on the lake. Rod’s positive attitude and appreciation for the goodness in life and the people of the great state of Alaska — and especially Wasilla and its pioneers — was top of mind.

“It is what it is” became his approach to life and to deal with opportunities as they come your way. His final moments were spent overlooking Lake Lucille with family and grandchildren playing around him — this was his last request and with many in the community it was accomplished!

A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Wasilla with Pastor Henry Woodall officiating at 3 p.m., Aug. 11 with a reception following at 4 p.m. at the VFW.

Honorary pallbearers are Bill Bruu, Blake Riekena, Chuck Heath, Conrad Holler, Doug Holler, John Minnick, Pete Peterson, Ray Carter and Roger Nelles. His ashes will be interred at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rod’s honor can be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1375 E. Bogard Road, Wasilla, AK 99654.

Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Colleen Teeland Cottle; sons, Andrew (Jennifer) Cottle and John (Toni) Cottle; daughters, Wendy (Blake) Riekena and Misty (Doug) Holler; sister, Mildred (Middy) Minnick; brothers, Richard Cottle and Benny Cottle; grandchildren, Rhys, Macsen, Rhiannon, Denali, Presley, Sailor, Rylan, Brecken, Foster, Garrison, Roman and Mason; great-grandson, Kannon; and more than 170 family members in the Valley.

Preceding him in death were his siblings, Betty LePors, Marge Johnson and Jerry Cottle.

Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory.