Rose Marie "Tiny" DePriest

Rose Marie “Tiny” DePriest

Rose Marie “Tiny” DePriest passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 19th, 2022 at Primrose Retirement Community in Wasilla, Alaska. She was 90 years young. Rose Marie was born May 26, 1932 in Warroad, Minnesota, to parents Tony and Alys Vickaryous. The story told about her name is that while locals and friends were holding the baby Rose, a gentleman commented that she was so “tiny”. The nickname stuck!

In 1935, Tiny, along with her little sister Gerry, traveled to Alaska with their parents who were part of the 203 families of the Matanuska Valley Colony Project. The Vickaryous family ultimately put down their roots developing Cottonwood Farm located between Palmer and Wasilla. Here Tiny and her siblings forged a strong work ethic helping with the potato farm and dairy. The Vickaryous Colony house is still in existence and currently owned by Gage Tree Services on what is now the Palmer-Wasilla Highway (always referred to as “Wasilla Road” by Tiny).

Life for Tiny and her siblings took off in earnest as Colony Kids with work, adventures and creating lifelong friendships. Her brother Jim was born in 1939, and her brother Clarence “Sonny” was born in 1940. Tiny attended local Wasilla grade schools, graduating from Wasilla High School in 1951. She was involved in various school activities, including basketball, music and debate. Tiny loved her Wasilla background and in her later years was still proud to wear the color red. She wore it often and periodically gave out a Wasilla “war whoop”! After completing high school, she went to work at Teeland’s store while still helping on the family farm. During this time, she was crowned Miss Matanuska Maid. Tiny was also crowned Miss Matanuska Valley and competed in the Miss Alaska pageant.

Tiny met her future husband, Raymond Lee “Moose” DePriest, on the Vickaryous farm where he was employed. A romance was struck and then stuck when they married on June 14,1953, in the original St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Palmer, Alaska. They began a family, temporarily living in the Butte area while Ray worked various jobs and Tiny worked as a dental assistant with Dr. Sims in Wasilla. They purchased Linnus and Louise DePriest’s Dairy Farm in 1957. They then began their career running Tiny Moose Dairy, while raising their growing family. They were one of a few families who generously opened their home for displaced kids after the fire at the Lazy Mt. Children’s Home. Frequently they opened their doors to various individuals who needed a temporary home. Tiny’s life continued with Ray and was full of love, more work, adventures, life setbacks and creating more lasting relationships.

While raising her family and helping run the farm, Tiny was very active with her church. She sang in her church choir as well as in interdenominational choirs. She was very proud to have been part of a large choir group that sang for Pope John Paul on his visit to Anchorage. The Pope thanked them and invited this choir to come to Rome and sing at the Vatican, which they did! Tiny was also involved with several organizations in her community such as Bishop’s Attic, Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation, Palmer Soil and Water Conservation District, Lady Elks, and numerous historical societies across the Mat-Su Valley. She was instrumental in encouraging her kids to be a part of activities and events in the community as well; they were involved in music, sports and clubs and were an integral part of their church.

Tiny and Ray closed Tiny Moose Dairy in 1987 but continued farming by running DePriest Farms. Her sons currently run the business. Tiny remained an active participant in various organizations in the Mat-Su Valley and was often asked to be a part of local history gathering and education. She was elected to the MEA Board, was a board member of the Knik Historical Society, was an honorary Grandmother at Chickaloon and Knik, and she volunteered at the Palmer Senior Center. Tiny’s ability to remember events and the names of the people involved in those events was amazing! She delighted in telling and sharing her stories with others. Many of you reading this have probably been the recipients of at least one or more of those stories. Tiny was one of a kind; she and her stories will be greatly missed! She lived a long and full life and was loved by many!

Preceding Tiny in death were: husband, Raymond Lee DePriest, Sr.; brother, Clarence John “Sonny” Vickaryous; sisters, Geraldine Mary “Gerry” Patrick and Tonia Ann Vickaryous; daughter, Tonya Marie DePriest; sons, Steven James DePriest and Edwin Paul “Twig” DePriest.

Survived by Tiny are: brother, James Anthony Vickaryous (Cathie); children, Ann Marie Svedin (Ron), Linnus Anthony “Topper” DePriest, Michelle Rose DePriest, Raymond Lee DePriest, Jr. (Jana), Georgia Alys Stansell (Monte Goodrich), Thomas Daniel DePriest (Tracy Hazen), John Marvin DePriest (Stacey), Gerry Wayne DePriest (Maryann), and Francis Jesse DePriest (Katie); grandchildren: Jason (Kayla), Tyler, Brian and Nathan (Emily) Svedin, Sarah Lynch (Todd), Kalei and Leya DePriest, Sean (Yoshie) and Bridget Holland, Thorton (Melissa) and Kenyon (Stephanie), Kaleb, Hannah, Calvin (Rosa), and Mac DePriest; great grandchildren: Sarah, Lydia, Levi, Simeon and Jack Svedin, Lyra, Iris, and Jade Holland. Keyona, Kasen and Kolten DePriest. Plus, lots of cousins, nieces, nephews and many grand dogs.

Full funeral/mass, 1:00, Jan. 4th, 2023

St. Michael’s Catholic Church

Palmer, AK

All are welcome!