Walter Frank Mayr

Sutton resident Walter Frank Mayr, 95, died Aug. 10 at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.

A service was held at the Palmer Elks Lodge, Aug. 16.

Walt was born Feb. 8, 1914, in Chicago to Joseph and Emma (Bauer) Mayr.

He lived with his parents in Earling, Iowa from 1925 to 1933. He graduated from St. Josephs High School in 1932. After high school, Walt took courses in horticulture and coppersmithing. He worked in nurseries and greenhouses in Chicago and California before coming to Alaska.

Walt loved a good adventure. In 1938, he and friend Ed rode from Hayward, Calif., to Omaha and back on their 1934 Harley-Davidsons. In later years he flew a Supercub to Nevada and back to Alaska. Walt enjoyed fishing and hunting in Alaska. He often flew hunters, fishermen and their gear into remote camps.

Walt moved to Alaska in 1942 and worked for 30 years in the coal and gold mines as a millwright and mechanic. He also worked as a cook in one of the camps. He then went to work for the Mat-Su Borough School District until he retired. Walt served on the MEA Board of Directors from 1964 to 1966.

He built his home in Sutton in 1955 and started his greenhouse in 1957 which was still in operation at the time of his death.

Walt was well-known for his generosity, beautiful plants and wonderful stories of Alaska. He saw a lot of changes over the years and was a wealth of information on the history of Alaska. Walt will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.

Walt is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Emma Mayr, his first wife Florence (Riley) Mayr, brothers Alfons Mayr, Lambert Mayr, sisters Leona Seefeldt and Viola Jacobs.

Walt is survived by his wife Elsie (Bennett) Mayr, brothers Joseph Mayr, Alois Mayr, sister Mildred Panconi, stepchildren, Darrell Bennett, Lorna Quimby, Joyce Rogers, Dale Bennett, and Janell McPherson, their spouses, children and grandchildren.