Wade Thomas Weitzel

On March 16, 2010, surrounded by his loving family, Wade passed gently and peacefully away after fighting a lengthy illness.

Wade Thomas Weitzel was born Aug. 12, 1957 in Lander, Wyo.

He will be forever remembered as a loving husband; father, brother, uncle and grandparent. Wade loved being with family and playing with his grandchildren. A man with a huge heart, who took his dog Misty home in his shirt pocket and bottle fed from the day she was born. Wade brought love and laughter to all around him and that legacy will continue on in his memory.

Wade first came to Alaska in 1957 and became a lifelong Alaskan. Growing up in Alaska, he loved the adventures. An avid hunter and fisher who loved to ride snowmachines and motorcycles in 1960s Alaska, Wade got his first motorcycle, a Honda 70, at age 10. Traveling all around the state during the summers with his family as a child, he watched his father help construct the roads of Alaska. Wade had countless adventures growing up riding around on construction equipment. An Army veteran and a master mechanic, he liked to have bonfires and family barbecues in his backyard. His hero was John Wayne and he loved old Western movies. Wade was loved by family and friends alike who all will miss his smile and zest for life and family.

Wade was survived by his wife Mary McCarter, sisters Regina Weitzel, Gayle (Paul) Schroeder; his children Thomas (Lisa) Weitzel, Stacey (Robert) Valdez, Wade Jr. (Marlu) Weitzel, nephews Jamie, Jason and Jeremiah Brewington; nieces Sherri and Jennifer Schroeder; and step-mother Earleen Weitzel; 10 grandchildren and many great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother Dorine Frary Weitzel and father Evert “Vern” Weitzel and his sister Millie Weitzel.

Arrangements for the funeral and a celebration of life for Wade will be held on Thursday at 1:30 p.m., at Ft. Richardson National Cemetery. Anyone planning on attending please meet at the gate by 1:15 p.m. There will be a Celebration of Life to follow the graveside services at 3 p.m., at Palmer Elk’s Lodge, 2600 N. Barry’s Resort Drive in Wasilla.

Donations for the family can be made to Valley Food Bank in Wade’s name.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla.