Wandalee Schmahl

Wandalee Marilyn Schmahl, 59, died Oct. 20, 2007, at her Wasilla home with her family at her side after a lengthy illness.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. today at Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai with a potluck celebrating her life to follow at the VFW post in Soldotna.

Schmahl was born Feb. 6, 1948, in Seattle, Wash., and attended high school there prior to attending Peninsula Community College. Arriving in Alaska in 1974, she lived in Anchorage, Kenai, Soldotna, Talkeetna and finally Wasilla.

She enjoyed a special relationship with her grandchildren. She had a great sense of humor and was generous. She would make care packages out of what was in her cupboards for family or friends who needed it. She lived her life as if every day could be her last.

Schmahl is survived by her life partner, Larry Wright of Wasilla; daughters, Heather (Jamey) Watts of Wasilla, and Denise Wolk and her partner Steve Olds of Kenai; son Dennis (Lori) McKoon of Wasilla; sisters, Lorraine (Lolly) and Roberta (Bobbi) of Washington; brothers, John, Timothy and Donald Schmahl of Washington; grandchildren, J.T. and Andrew Watts, Nancy and D.J. Harris, all of Wasilla, Laura Mason of Eagle River, Thomas Mason of Kenai, Johnathan and Eric Mason of Seattle and Jacob Whitman-Maillard of Washington; great-grandchildren Shaleana Steger and Zoe Mason of Kenai; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Schmahl was preceded in death by parents, Thomas and Laura Schmahl; brothers Charles, Thomas and James Schmahl; husband, Henri Maillard; son Henri Maillard Jr.; great-grandchildren Joseph Mason and Jayelynn Espinosa.

Her ashes will be scattered in Washington at a later date.

Valley Funeral Homes and Crematory of Wasilla and Palmer assisted the family.