Shirley Jean Thompson

Talkeetna resident, Shirley Jean Thompson, 60, died at her Talkeetna home May 17, 2011, after a courageous battle with lung and brain cancer.

A memorial service in honor of Shirley is planned at a later date.

She was born Sept. 12, 1950, in Iowa, daughter of Byron and Vera Maude Bentley.

Surviving are her loving husband Jason Thompson; her son, Robert Zachow and wife Shelly of Oregon and their children Robert Lee, Chonta and Kathren; daughter, Adriane Coffey and her husband Tarn of Anchorage, and their children Wyatt and George; and son, Byron Rogers of Anchorage and his children Blayze and Zachary; mother, Vera Bentley; sister, Marilyn; brothers, Larry and Kenny; and many nieces and nephews in the Lower 48 and in southeast Alaska.

“Mother, you are now in the hands of your father after 38 years since his passing,” her family wrote. “We all know you are in good hands. You will always be alive in each of our hearts. Love and miss you, Mamma.”

Valley Funeral Home and Crematory of Wasilla cared for the family.