WANDA JEAN CROWDER

Wasilla resident Wanda Jean Crowder, 75, died Nov. 21, 2002, at Angel's Touch Assisted Living Home in Wasilla. A service will be held at 2 p.m., today, Nov. 26, at Valley Funeral Home, 151 E. Herning Avenue, in Wasilla. A "Celebration of Life" will be held following the service at the home of Susan Crowder.

Mrs. Crowder was born May 15, 1928, in Rising Star, Texas, to Eddie C. and Mary (Casbeer) Trice. She was raised in the Texas Rio Grand Valley and moved to San Angelo where she graduated from San Angelo High School, attended Jolly Beauty College and San Angelo Community College. She married Billy Burl Crowder in 1948 and had three children. While raising her three children, Wanda was a beautician, bookkeeper and worked for Wallace and Shertz Studios tinting pictures. She was a member of the San Angelo Church of Christ. She moved from Texas in 1992 to Wasilla to live with her daughters, Paula and Susan until November of 2001.

Mrs. Crowder resided with the Westland Family at Angel's Touch Assisted Living until the time of her death. She enjoyed holiday dinners with her five generation family. She loved to cook, sew, paint, ceramics, swim, bowl, hunt, and fish. Wanda loved to watch birds, yet she had a love for all animals.

Her family said of her "She loved chocolate and always preferred to eat dessert first. She loved having her mother, her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren close to her. Her dry sense of humor stayed with her, despite all of her pain and long illness. We will all miss her very much and she will remain in our hearts forever."

Mrs. Crowder was preceded in death by her father Eddie C. Trice; brother Dwight Trice; husband Billy Burl Crowder; and great grandson Jonah Griffeth.

Survivors are daughters, Susan Crowder of Wasilla, Paula Griffeth of Palmer; son Ron Crowder of Nikiski; mother Mary Trice of Wasilla; grandchildren, Kenny, Clint, Tanya and Jason Cremer; great grandchildren, Jessica, Daniel, Kelsy, Noah, Hayden and Hope; extended family members; Colby, Emily and Alexia Griffeth, Dave, Jessica and Tyler Brown, Thomas and Nathalie Cooper, Beth and Eric Westland, and many dear caregivers and friends in Alaska and Texas.

Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be sent to: Hospice of Mat-Su, 3051 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy.,Wasilla AK 99654, or Alzheimer's Valley Outreach, 240 E. Tudor Rd., Ste 110, Anchorage AK 99503.

That family offers their sincerest thanks for their support and compassion.

Her ashes will be spread in Crocker Creek in Settler's Bay.