September 10, 2006

H. A. ‘Buz' Hoffman

H. A. &#8220Buz” Hoffman, 71, died Sept. 6, 2006, at his home in Wasilla. Per Buz's wishes, no services will be held.

He was born Feb. 20, 1935, in Tacoma, Wash. He was a self-educated man. He moved to Alaska in 1976. He was in banking for more than 40 years, and in 1996, he retired from the banking profession. Upon retirement, he was on various boards of directors and was past president of Settler's Bay Owners Association.

He enjoyed traveling, mowing the law, reading, taking walks and exercising with his wife.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Juanita of Wasilla; daughter and son-in-law, Toni and Bob Fassino of Wasilla; son and daughter-in-law, Kurt and Linda Hoffman of Kelso, Wash.; son, Karl Hoffman of Falls Church, Va.; daughter, Kim Swanson of Post Falls, Idaho; sister and brother-in-law, June and Ray Murphy of Texas; brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Linda Kelly of Oregon; grandchildren, Darrah Gilliam of North Dakota, Christopher Fassino of Wasilla, Jake and Justin Hoffman of Kelso, Richard Swanson of Palmer, and Buster, Josh and Zachery Hoffman of Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Mat-Su.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.

Brigette

Hermiston Ehlke

Brigette Hermiston Ehlke, 31, of Helena, Mont., was killed Aug. 22, 2006, by a drunk driver near Missoula, Mont., on Interstate 93.

She was born Oct. 13, 1974, to John and Carol Hermiston in Plains, Mont.

She grew up in Plains and spent her adult life between Montana and Alaska, wanting to be where her family needed her most. After she married her true love, Matt, they made their home in Helena with their two children, Lindsey and Blayne. Before leaving Alaska, she had been employed by Carrs/Safeway and Mr. Lube in Wasilla.

Her love of family and friends, horses and cowboy boots will always be in our hearts.

She leaves behind her loving husband, Matthew; her beautiful daughter, Lindsey and her handsome boy, Blayne; and her loving family, including mom, Carol Hermiston of Plains; sister, Pam (Steven, Braxton, Allison) Cline; brother, Eric (Christy, Blake, Brett) Widman, all of Wasilla; brother-in-law, Mark (Della, Lacy, Janea) Ehlke of Townsend, Mont.; sisters-in-law, Lisa (Lance, Jeremy, Fallon, Mackenzie) Strauch of Belgrade, Becky (Gary, Mike, Jason, Jesse, Amanda) Miner of Olympia, Wash., and Leanne Ehlke of Helena; mother and father-in-law, Joyce and Leon Ehlke of Helena; grandparents, Roy and Margaret Lacock of Paradise, Mont.; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and many cherished extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her dad, John Hermiston; and grandparents, Charlotte and Jack Hermiston.

A memorial service was Aug. 26, 2006, at the Plains Fairgrounds, and Aug. 28, 2006, in Townsend.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Lindsey Hermiston Ehlke Education Fund, First State Bank, P.O. Box 100, Plains, MT 59859; or condolences can be sent to Pam Cline, 2800 Jasper Drive, Wasilla, AK 99654

Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Juanita Ruth Yadon Watts

Juanita R. Watts, a former resident of Palmer, received her wings on Sept. 5, 2006. She was 85 years old.

She is survived by her husband, Don Odom of Pharr, Texas; daughter, Brenda and her husband Tom Smith of Lawrenceville, Ga.; and son, Anthony Watts and his wife Noma of Toledo, Wash. She has a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren, stretching from Alaska to Washington to Tennessee to Georgia, and Ohio.

She was the oldest of eight children. She is survived by three brothers and four sisters.

Her greatest goal in life was teaching her children to be Christians with good values. She worked hard all her life making a home for her husband and children, and moving to California, Alaska, Tennessee, Oregon, Florida and finally to Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the United Hospice, Lawrenceville Branch, 4151 Memorial Dr., Suite 211E, Decatur, GA 30032. There will be no services, per her request.

Richard V. ‘Buzz' Buzzelli

Richard V. &#8220Buzz” Buzzelli, 57, died Sept. 7, 2006 at Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage.

A graveside service will is scheduled for 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2006, at Ft. Richardson National Cemetery.

He was born Aug. 22, 1949, in Pittsburg, Penn. He was a decorated Vietnam veteran for the U.S. Army.

He began his Alaska residency in 1981 when he moved to Anchorage. He retired from being a corrosion engineer for the Department of Defense in 1996.

Richard was an avid Pittsburg Steelers fan, he loved working out at The Alaska Club, and enjoyed his cat, Toby.

His family wrote, &#8220Buzz's generosity and kind heart were an inspiration to his family and friends. He lived his life with integrity and bravery.”

Memorial contributions can be made to Disabled Vietnam Veteran's of America, 20001 South Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20009; or Mat-Su Valley Humane Society, P.O. Box 520208, Big Lake, AK 99652-0208.

He is survived by his sisters, Sally Herny of Palm Harbor, Fla., Mary Lou Buzzelli of Pittsburg, and Peggy McAfee of Pittsburg; brother, James Buzzelli of Pittsburg; nephews, Rick Herny of Chesapeake, Va., Mike Herny of Oviedo, Fla., Mark Herny of New Port Richey, Fla.; and numerous other nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are with Witzleben Family Funeral Home.

Laurence ‘Larry' Herbert Steele

Laurence &#8220Larry” Herbert Steele, 75, died Sept. 5, 2006, at his home in Palmer of natural causes.

A memorial service will be Monday, Sept. 11, 2006, at

St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Palmer at 2 p.m.

The Rev. Dean Mandrell will officiate.

He was born Dec. 16, 1930, in Gunnison, Colo.

He earned a bachelor's degree from Central Washington University, Ellensburg, Wash., in 1955 and a master's degree in education from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks in 1968.

He began his Alaska residency in 1990, living in Palmer after retiring from the Department of Defense Dependent Schools, Okinawa, Japan, where he worked from 1960-1990.

He attended church at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Palmer, was affiliated with The Episcopal Network for Stewardship, Wichita, Kan., and was an Elks Club Member.

He enjoyed reading, gardening, flower arranging and wood working.

His family wrote, &#8220Larry loved life and learning new things. He was a voracious reader, appreciated fine art and music, and enjoyed woodworking.

&#8220He had a passion for gardening flowers and apple trees, and for Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging, in which he held the highest rank of Sensho Ikenobo, master flower arranger.

&#8220He loved spending time with his grandson and the young children at his church.

&#8220He especially enjoyed sitting on his second-story deck admiring the scenery of mountains and trees.

&#8220Larry's integrity, character, generosity, tenacity, sensitivity and iron will to overcome any obstacle and challenge were an inspiration to his family. He will be deeply missed.”

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 323 N. Alaska St., Palmer, AK 99645, or The Episcopal Network for Stewardship, 345 S. Hydraulic, Wichita, KS 57211.

Larry's ashes will be scattered in his apple orchard.

He is survived by his wife, Helen Steele of Palmer; his daughter, Daisy Steele and son-in-law, Michael Maynard of Beaverton, Ore.; son and daughter-in-law, Edward and Ann Marie Steele of Seattle; mother, Hope Steele of San Gabriel, Calif.; sisters, Nellie Zaborac of Palmer and Joyce Steele of Alhambra, Calif.; grandchildren, Matthew and Adam Maynard of Beaverton; and nieces, Roxeanna Zaborac and Michelle Irvine, both of Palmer.

Arrangements are with Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.