Wenona Anita Lachance

Palmer resident Wenona Anita Lachance, 94, passed away March 4, 2010, at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer.

A memorial service will be held July 25 at the Pioneer Home at 2:30 p.m., then a visit to the cemetery and short services will follow with grandson Rob Teeling officiating.

Wenona was born on March 3, 1916, in Interprise, Ore. Wenona was married to her sweetheart Clarence for 55 years, who died in 1991. Wenona became an Alaska resident in 1970 and lived in Palmer.

She was a caretaker at Independence Mine at Hatcher Pass with husband Clarence and also ran the cafeteria there. She and Clarence also did janitorial work for Hartley Motors. She belonged to the Adventist Church. She won a ribbon in the Alaska State Fair for her knitting. She was also made Queen at the Palmer Home in 1992. Her special interests were yard work, knitting bedspreads, sofa backs, covers and arm covers, many doilies of all sizes and colors and pillow cases with nice trim on them.

Her family writes: ”Dear Mother was always a loving and giving person, as was dear Daddy. Her greatest loves were her children, family and dear friends. She enjoyed her trips, rides and special dinners at the senior center and with family, until later on in life, when she was more confined to the Palmer Pioneer Home. Many fond memories and dreams will live on in the family and friends who loved her.

“Dear Mother you are loved and will be deeply missed, until we meet again at the close of time, Love you.”

The family wishes to thank all of her caregivers of many years who showed their love and kindness even when dear Mother got upset with them. But she truly didn’t mean it; it was the stroke which changed her personality somewhat.

Wenona is survived by her daughter, Marion and son-in-law Bob Teeling of Palmer; sons and wives, Frank (Evelyn) of Palmer, Darold (Nancy) of Fresno, Calif., and Gordon Lachance of Tacoma, Wash.; grandchildren, Bob (Sandy) Teeling of Wasilla, Betty Zimmer of Kington, Wash., Dale Lumpkin and Linda and Colemens family, Melissa (Randy) Amge of Palmer, Michelle Dykman of Wasilla, Chester McKeabe of Palmer, Franky Jo and Stephen Lachance, Tammy (Tom) Chandler of Wasilla Cathy Kedwell (Carl) and Jennifer Lachance; great-grandchildren, Jim (Lisa), Rob (Jasmine), Michael Teeling, Chris (Karolyn) Edwards. Brady and Vicky Kedwell, Hannah and Nick Edwards, and Tyler and Sarah Chandler; great great-grandchildren, Taylor (Don) Miner and Devin Teeling; great-great-great-grandchild, Larkynn Marie Miner; loving sisters, Jerry Towle and Nadine Bemrose; and many nieces and nephews.

Wenona was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Joseph, of 55 years and brothers Joe, Tom, Robert and Bill Bales; sister Dorothy Miller; grandchild Ron Ralston; and Mona McKeabe, Timothy Lachance, Autumn Dawn and William Wayne Teeling, and Frances Lee Anderson.

Arrangements were entrusted to Legacy Funeral Home- Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.