VERLA LaRUE FINKE

Wasilla resident Verla LaRue Finke, 82, died at her family's residence on Feb. 24, 2003.

A memorial service will be at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 18444 Old Glenn Hwy. in Chugiak at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 4. Pastor Thomas Frizelle and Pastor Ken Schauer will officiate the service.

Mrs. Finke was born Jan. 29, 1921, in Parker, Idaho. She resided with her husband, Jerry, for 50 years in the Snohomish Valley of Washington State. She came to Alaska in 1997 first residing in Chugiak and then moving to Wasilla in spring of 2000.

She was an active member of the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Chugiak and local senior center.

Mrs. Finke is survived by her five brothers, Grant and Darwin Neilson of Idaho, Delbert Neilson of Washington, Morris and Ray Neilson of Utah; sister Helen Tennant of Idaho; brother-in-laws, Ervin Finke of Washington and Dr. Howard Finke of Colorado; daughters, Clare Snoozy of Anchorage, Barbara Jean Thorpe of Idaho; sons, Bill Ford and Rick Anderson of Idaho; grandson, Gerald Snoozy of Palmer, granddaughter Doreen Broderick and husband, Kent, of Wasilla who were also primary care givers, Sandi Goerisch and husband, Jeff, of Anchorage, and Janet Tillman and husband, Richard, of Moscow, Idaho; great-grandsons, Harrison Ford of Wasilla, Zachary and Ivan Tillman of Moscow, Idaho; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her family said, "Verla was often referred to as Grandma by everyone who knew her. She was a very active person who loved to socialize, whether it was working on crafts or playing cards. She was also known as the 'Craft Lady.' She was always thinking of a way to use or make something out of what most of us would consider junk. Her family and many friends will always cherish the many 'crafts and gadgets' that were received from her over the years. Verla was a very special lady who had a way of making people smile. She was loved by many and will be dearly missed."

Memorial donations may be made to the Mat-Su chapter of Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska, P.O. Box 4406, Palmer AK 99645 or to the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., Alaska Chapter, P.O. Box 240628, Anchorage AK 99524-0628.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla.