ROSE FIEDLER

Longtime Anchorage resident Rose Fiedler, 93, died Dec. 28, 2002 at home after a short illness, with her daughter Joan and grandson Rick at her side.

At Mrs. Fiedler's request, she was cremated and no funeral was held.

Mrs. Fiedler was born in Minnieska, Minn., but grew up in Winona, Minn., where she met and married Wilton Fiedler on April 20, 1929. The couple lived and worked in Winona for many years. Their daughters Jean and Joan were born there. In 1942 Wilton ventured to Anchorage to work on construction of Fort Richardson. In July 1944, he brought Rose and their two daughters to Alaska on the USS Aleutian via the Inside Passage to Seward, and then by train to Anchorage. Their first home was a one-room cabin at 12th and Gamble streets without sewer and water. The family soon acquired a home on East Third where they lived until their children were raised.

The couple, along with partners, established Anchorage Body and Paint in 1946 where the Town Square Park is now.

Mrs. Fiedler was content to be a homemaker and lavish her love on her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. The couple loved people and many family and friends stayed with them from time to time. She was active in the Elks bowling league, a sport she enjoyed. In the mid '70s they moved to Big Lake where they lived near their daughter. In their retirement years, they spent many winters at Kona, Hawaii where they owned a condo.

Her family said, "All her family will miss Rose. She was loved and respected by all."

Her husband, Wilton, preceded Mrs. Fiedler in death. She is survived by daughters Jean McKinney (Herb), Joan Estes (Dick); grandchildren Herb McKinney Jr., David McKinney, Rick Estes, Michael Estes (Janey), Cynthia Estes DeRemer (Bart); great-grandchildren, Peter McKinney, Nicole McKinney, Jennifer Estes, Joshua Estes, Jimmy Estes, Jacob Estes, Jaime Estes and Jesse Estes DeRemer; great-great-grandchildren Christina Estes and Christopher Brueggeman; and many nieces and nephews in Winona.