ZORKA MITCHELL

Zorka Mastorovich Mitchell, 77, of Palmer, died of a heart attack March 14, 2005, at Providence Alaska Medical Center.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 20 at 2 p.m., at the Palmer Moose Lodge.

Mrs. Mitchell was born at home on July 18, 1927, in Bearcreek, Mont. She was valedictorian of the 1945 graduating class at Red Lodge High School and graduated cum laude in 1949 from the University of Montana. While there, she served on Mortar Board and several other honorary societies.

Mrs. Mitchell taught in Montana schools for nine years at Colstrip, Red Lodge, Billings, and Missoula. She married Bill Mitchell in 1955 in Billings and provided vital support for the continuation of his education, which finally led to their coming to Alaska.

She and her family, including two young children, came north via the Alaska highway, arriving in Palmer in June 1963, where her husband joined the staff of the University of Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station. She filled a sudden vacancy at the high school to teach a course in Latin. She was a valued substitute teacher in the Palmer school system for another 20 years.

Having arrived in 1963, she experienced the Good Friday earthquake, fended off threatening water flows from exceptional winter thaws, endured power outages and thus became a seasoned Alaskan in short order.

Her loved ones wrote, "Frugal in nature, during the earlier, less-trafficked days, she often could be seen grocery shopping on a bicycle equipped with a basket. She was a selfless person with a keen sense of duty. Her utmost priority was the well-being of her family and those near her.

"Zorka was a staunch supporter of the Palmer Public Library, volunteering as a librarian for 11 years. She had a deep interest in the derivation of words and their uses."

She is survived by her husband, Bill; daughter, Lynn Mitchell of Palmer; son, Alan Mitchell; daughter-in-law, Tamra; granddaughter, Briana; grandson, Braden, all of Anchorage, and her sister, Marie Mastorovich of Great Falls, Mont.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friends of the Palmer Public Library for the Zorka Mitchell Children's Book Collection, 655 South Valley Way, Palmer, AK 99645, or to another charity.