Vernon Alex Henricksen

Palmer resident Vernon Alex Henricksen, 83, died Aug. 19, 2011, at home.

Services are at 4 p.m., Aug. 23 at the Palmer Masonic Lodge.

Vernon was born Oct. 29, 1927, in Mount Vernon, N.Y. He graduated from Oceanside High School in Long Island, N.Y., and attended two years of college at New York State University and the University of Alaska Anchorage. In 1954, Vern married his wife of 56 years, Ruth Crane Van De Bogart, in Woodstock, N.Y.

Vern moved to Alaska in 1959, living in Fairbanks for four years, Anchorage for 28 years, Ketchikan for a year and Palmer for 12 years. He served in the U.S. Army, worked for Al Williams Insurance, Alaska Pipeline — Liven Good Camp and Angelus Memorial Park. Vernon retired in 1995.

He was very active in the community with the Masonic Lodge, Knight Templars, Yorkrite, Alaska Shrine, VFW, American Legion, DAV and AMORC. Vern was a licensed HAM operator — WL7JU-Motley Group. Vern donated thousands of hours and stuffed animals to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children. He loved to fish, read and play a multitude of wind instruments. Vern loved to participate in the oriental band and visit the children’s ward at several different hospitals playing music for them.

Vern is survived by his wife, Ruth; daughter, Ruth H. Mazzella and son-in-law Silvio of Wasilla; son, Duane D. Henricksen and daughter-in-law Linda of Aurora, Ill.; daughter, Julia L. West and son-in-law Curtis of Tooele, Utah; grandchildren, Gary, Joseph, Jesse, Caleb, Joshua, Rachel, Devin, Heidi, Laura, Leanna, Veronica, Julia and David; and great-grandchildren, Anthony, Tegien and Michael.

He was preceded in death by his son, Kevin K. Henricksen; and daughter Veronica L. Henricksen.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Alaska Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, 1730 E. Northern Lights Blvd., Anchorage, AK 99501.