Woman who helped bring a library to Palmer to be honored Sunday

PALMER — Sunday at 2 p.m., the Friends of the Palmer Library are hosting a free event open to the public to honor Verna Euwer, “long tome friend of the library, educator and author,” according to the event description on Facebook.

“She’s the reason why that library exists,” Wasilla Sunrise Rotary member Janel Gagnon said.

Euwer is more than 90 years old and is set to move down to the Lower 48. According to Gagnon, Euwer was pivotal for establishing Palmer’s library as everyone knows it today and has a widespread legacy for her efforts. Gagnon admitted that she had only recently met Euwer but she’s heard countless things about her and her encounter left her with a lasting and inspiring impression.

She said that when the state was abundant in oil revenue from the pipeline, they offered grant money to Palmer to either get a new city hall or a new library.

“The current library at that time looked like a big chicken coop and it wasn’t big enough to sit down in. It was just big enough to hold books… She took it upon herself to fly down to Juneau multiple times [to lobby for the new library],” Gagnon said.

Gagnon said that Euwer founded the Friends of the Palmer Library and was the first president. She said that anyone who’s lived in the Valley, particularly Palmer is very likely to know Euwer.

“I think people respected and revered her… If she wanted something she made it happen,” Gagnon said.

Gagnon said that Euwer was known not only for being very involved in her community, she was also known to be very determined when she sunk her teeth into a project. She said that even now, in her twilight years, that Euwer seems to be “spunky.”

“I think she was really involved,” Gagnon said.

During the event, there will be free refreshments as several speakers talk about Euwer’s legacy and their fond memories of her.

As an avid lover of books and value they offer the community, Euwer and her friends may appreciate the following discovery about her surname, indicating that her last name has a history of serving others and a history of hardiness and grit.

Contact Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at Jacob.mann@frontiersman.com.