2010-2019, AK, Compiled by James W. Blankenship jkblank1(at)sbcglobal.net

 

Anchorage Borough                                                                                        

 

+2010, Anchorage, Anchorage Borough, AK, Obituary

From the Anchorage Daily News , from March 12 to March 14, 2010

Air Force Maj. Ralph Anderson Blankenship (Ret.) died on his birthday, Jan. 10, 2010, at the age of 94 in an assisted living home in Anchorage. Mr. Blankenship was born Jan. 10, 1916, in Braggs, Okla., to Turner and Ethel Blankenship. He attended two years of agriculture college in Oklahoma and joined the Army in 1937. Ralph married Ruth Estelle Knight in 1940. During World War II, he transferred to the Air Corps and served in North Africa and Italy, retiring in California in 1957. He moved his wife and four children to Alaska in 1958 and filed on the 160-acre Montana Creek homestead in 1959. The patent was obtained in 1962. The family's four children gave the community enough students to get a school built at Montana Creek in 1959. His oldest son was among the first graduating class at Talkeetna High School in 1965. He had many interests and activities. Among those were his family, friends and pets. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, four-wheeling and snowmachining.  "Dad wanted to be remembered in life and not in death by his family and friends," his family wrote. "His feelings were, 'I won't be here, so I won't matter.' "

He is survived by his eldest son, John Doyle of Allyn, Wash.; son, Damond Allen of Anchorage; daughter, Carol Sue "Susie" Soelling of Steilacoom, Wash.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Edward in 1972; wife, Ruth Estelle in 1992; and second wife of 10 years, Francis Jean in 2004. His ashes will be scattered about Montana Creek in the future.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

+2010, Anchorage, Anchorage Municipality, AK, Obituary

Anchorage Daily News (AK) - November 5, 2010

Cecil "Carl" Blankenship, 67, died at his Anchorage home on Nov. 1, 2010. A celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at American Legion Post 29 on Muldoon Road. Born Dec. 19, 1942, in Kimberling, Va., to Cecil Carr Blankenship and Clara Josephine Bouldin,

Carl was one of eight siblings. After attending Narrows High School, where he received a letter in track, Carl joined the military and moved to Alaska just a couple of months before the Good Friday earthquake of 1964. Walking down the street one day, he turned the corner, where he literally bumped into the love of his life, Marge. Married on May 15, 1965, Carl was soon shipping off to Vietnam. After a successful tour of duty, Carl returned home to his wife and soon they became parents to two sons and a daughter. Carl and his young family moved to Virginia, where they lived until returning to Alaska, settling in Seward in 1983. Carl and his family moved to Anchorage in 2001. Carl was very proud to be a 60th Infantry "Go Devil" and a 4/23 Infantry "Tomahawk" and a member of the 25th Infantry Division "Tropic Lightning." Carl was a proud member of the American Legion and very active at Muldoon Post 29.

Carl was preceded in death by his son, Carl Edward Blankenship; his father, Cecil Carr Blankenship; and a baby sister.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marge; son, Christopher (Melodie) Blankenship; daughter, Linda and granddaughter, Jessica; daughter-in-law, Samantha and granddaughter, Alexis, all of Anchorage; mother, Josephine of Dublin, Va.; sisters, Faye (Richard) Perdue, Diane (Richard) Young, Joyce (Archie) Minton, and Jenny (Tony) Pennington; brothers, Richard and Scott Blankenship, all of the Dublin and surrounding areas; and mother-in-law, Dolores Ferguson of Silverdale, Ore.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

2011, Anchorage, Anchorage Borough, AK, Obituary

Anchorage Daily News (AK) - October 11, 2011

Anchorage resident Donald Andrew Harper, 81, passed away on October 7, 2011. A service will take place Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church; 545 West 8th Avenue, Anchorage, AK. Jim Bassinger will be the officiant. Pallbearers will include Michael Harper, Ray Caudill, Richard Fast, Michael Blankenship, Dana Wright, and Steven Harris. In accordance with Donald's wishes, his ashes will be scattered between Fairbanks and Anchorage along the highway, as he was a free spirit who loved to travel.

Donald was born on June 25, 1930 in Fairbanks, Alaska. He graduated from Mt. Edgecumbe High School and attended school for electricians in Chicago for two years, later going back to college at age 68. Donald served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Donald was a member of IBEW Local 1547, an electrician, and was retired from working for BP. Donald was a member of the All Saints Episcopal Church and liked to go to Tuesday night Bible Study. He received an award on behalf of his uncle Walter Harper, who was the first person to ascend Denali. He also served three years on CIRI Shareholder Participation Committee. He volunteered at the Alaska Native Medical Center's IT Department. Donald loved to take car rides and make trips to Las Vegas, NV, San Francisco, CA and to Georgia to visit his sister Toots (Mary). Donald enjoyed driving the Alcan and across the lower 48. Donald loved to walk downtown (Anchorage) to stay fit and in touch with people.

Donald is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Robin A. Harper-Caudill and Ray L. Cauldill of Unalakleet and Anchorage; granddaughter Dawn Blankenship and significant other Steve Harris; great grandchildren Michael Blankenship of Unalakleet, Malorie Blankenship, Kevin Blankenship, and Steven and Alex Harris all of Anchorage; sister and brother-in-law Mary (Toots) and Ashley Benson of Bickley, Georgia; and many nieces and nephews all of whom he loved dearly.

Donald is preceded in death by his parents Sam and Louise Harper; brothers Art, Francis, John, and Walter Harper; and sisters Jane Petri, Elsie Fast, Louise (Wece) Blair, and Connie Paddock.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

2012, Anchorage, Anchorage Borough, AK, Obituary

Published in adn.com (Anchorage Daily News) from August 29 to August 30, 2012

Rose Vanderpool Winkelman, 92, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, Sunday, August 26, in Anchorage.

Services will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, August 29, at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel, 440 East Klatt Road in Anchorage. A light buffet will follow the service at the funeral home.

A second service will be held in McGrath, Friday, August 31 at 2 p.m. at McGrath School. Burial will follow at the McGrath Cemetery. A potlatch will be held at the school following the burial.

Rose was the fourth of 10 children born to William T. and Sophie Vanderpool on April 29, 1920, at the Vanderpool Homestead near McGrath. At 14, she moved to Seward and attended Jesse Lee Home boarding school. Rose completed 10th grade and returned to McGrath in 1942.

Rose kept busy raising her children, gardening, cooking, baking, berry picking, and preserving food. Her heart and her home were always open to everyone. Her beautiful smile, her laugh, and warm demeanor welcomed friends and strangers, alike. She also took in many boarding students over the years. Rose stayed in and kept the "home fires burning", while the boys were out flying, hunting, and fishing. She was truly the "wind beneath our wings".

In 1968, her husband Wink passed away, and she became a single parent to her five youngest children. Soon after, she became the community health aide in McGrath, a position she held until retiring in 1985. Rose will be remembered for compassionate, caring treatment of all her patients. In 2011, the new McGrath Health Clinic was named in her honor. Rose was the matriarch of her family and a loving, caring mother to nine children, 21 grandchildren and 40+ great-grandchildren. In 1994, she was selected by Doyon as Parent of the Year. Rose served as an original board member for MTNT limited, and on the McGrath Native Village Council, and various health-related boards. In retirement she continued to stay "busy as a bee". She enjoyed traveling, but, what she enjoyed most, was having family and friends visit. Moose-hunting season, especially, welcomed everyone with a "roadhouse-like" atmosphere at mom's home.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents William T. and Sophie Vanderpool; husband Aden (Wink) Winkelman; brothers Woodrow, Robert, and Lewis (Buster) Vanderpool; sisters Nora Vanderpool and Alice Acheff; daughter Gloria Hall; daughter-in-law Louise Winkelman, and grandchildren Timothy Hughes and David Maffei.

She is survived by her sisters Avis Dunkin and Sophie Blankenship; brothers Joe and Roy Vanderpool; sons David (Judith) Hughes, Richard Winkelman, Ron (Carolyn) Winkelman, Bob (Elizabeth) Winkelman, Don (Veronica) Winkelman, Jerry (Kathleen) Winkelman; daughters Rose High Bear and Marge Winkelman; grandchildren James, David Jr., Guy John, and Tish Hughes, Gene, Kimberly, Angela Maffei, Mary Echternacht, Ron, Debbie, and Dan Winkelman, Onessia Elliott, Allen Winkelman, Sheri Forsgren Roseman, Kyle and Aden Winkelman, Mikel and Amanda Winkelman, Kimberli Gover, Casey and Gillian Winkelman and 40+ great grandchildren.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

+2013, Anchorage, Anchorage Borough, AK, Obituary

Published in adn.com from September 13 to September 14, 2013

Isabell Olive Keogh Dennis, 86, passed away at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska on July 25, 2013.

Isabell was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia on May 13, 1927. She moved to Anchorage, Alaska in May of 1953 and was with the Army Dept. at Fort Richardson from 1953-1964, and from 1965-to when she retired in 1989 she was with the Air Force Dept. at Elmendorf. Her family wrote, "She enjoyed reading, gardening and her little dog. She will be remembered for her unwavering devotion and love for her family as well as her beauty, determination, kindness and honesty."

Survivors include her daughter, Frances D. Evans of Anchorage, granddaughters, Holly Evans of Anchorage and Elizabeth Ross of Waukesha, WI; great granddaughters, Maggie and Isabell Ross also of Waukesha, WI; brother, Lynn B. Keogh of Anchorage; sister, Grace Ann Blankenship of Little Rock, AR; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins throughout the United States.

Isabell was preceded in death by her parents, Matthew and Burnett Keogh and brothers, Matt, Donald and Harold Keogh.

Arrangements are with Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

+2015, Anchorage, Anchorage Borough, AK, Obituary

The Advocate, (Baton Rouge, LA) Date: February 6, 2015

Longtime Anchorage, Alaska, resident Joan A. Blankinship, (Ona Joan Anderson), 79, died February 1, 2015, peacefully with family by her side. Joan was born December 26, 1935, in Hartford, Arkansas.

Joan received her nursing degree in 1955 from Charity Hospital School of Nursing, in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she worked for several years before coming to Anchorage. Joan met her husband, Dr. Gilbert P. Blankinship, at Charity Hospital and they were married on April 9, 1960. Shortly thereafter, they came to Anchorage, where she worked with the U.S. Public Health Service as a Registered Nurse. Joan was an avid reader, and enjoyed the company of her many friends and family, fresh flowers, visits by the neighborhood moose, and the companionship of her cat.

Joan is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Gilbert Blankinship, Jr. and Katheryn Bradley, her daughter and son-in-law, Joy Lee Ballard, and Lamar Ballard, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews who loved to visit her.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Gilbert P. Blankinship, her sisters Ruth Maddox, Sara Israel, and Margaret Ross, and her adored dachshunds Sammy, Suzie, Tulip, and Danni.

We will miss Joan's youthful spirit and sense of humor.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

2015, Anchorage, Anchorage Borough, AK, Second-Degree Murder

Alaska Dispatch News (Anchorage, AK) - August 3, 2015

Deceased Name: Ferdinand Marquez: 3 plead guilty in fatal beating of seasonal fisherman in Anchorage Three defendants suspected in what Anchorage police described as a brutal attack on a 50-year-old man sleeping outside in September 2013 pleaded guilty Monday to murder and manslaughter charges. David Walent, 26, and Jerrick Blankenship, 20, each pleaded guilty to a single count of second-degree murder. Lewis Martin, 35, pleaded guilty to manslaughter. All of the men told Anchorage Superior Court Judge Michael Wolverton they'd had enough time to consider their plea deals.

Assistant district attorney Christina Sherman said it was important to the state that the remaining defendants' cases were resolved at the same time. The parties agreed to ranges of possible sentences, but the amount of jail time imposed will ultimately be up to the judge, Sherman said.

Walent was a fugitive wanted in California for a parole violation stemming from a 2011 robbery conviction when he was arrested on state murder charges. He faces 25 to 99 years imprisonment, according to Wolverton. The fourth man involved in the assault, 24-year-old Matt Martin, pleaded guilty in January to first-degree robbery. He was later sentenced to four years in prison, Sherman said. He had agreed to testify against his co-defendants, she said.

Police said Anchorage Community Mental Health Services surveillance video showed the four men punching, kicking and using a road sign to pummel Ferdinand Marquez, a seasonal fisherman. One of the men smashed a road sign into the victim's head repeatedly, police said. Walent told police he believed Marquez and another person had jumped Walent a few days earlier, and that's why the four attacked Marquez that night.

Marquez was not a client of the mental health facility but sometimes stayed at the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission, not far from where he was killed along Tudor Road.

All the suspects except Blankenship lived together in an apartment in the 4200 block of Laurel Street near where Marquez was found, police said. According to the charges, the men went through his backpack after the attack; Marquez's personal belongings were found in the apartment.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

+2016, Anchorage, Municipality of Anchorage, AK, Obituary

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/adn/obituary.aspx?n=Dolores-L-Ferguson&pid=180504734#sthash.VOAxhEwv.dpuf

Published in Alaska Dispatch News on July 1, 2016

Dolores Louise Ferguson, 93, passed away on June 25, 2016, in Anchorage, Alaska. Dolores was born on March 3, 1923, in Detroit, Mich., to the late Hartley J. and Olga (Graff) Speck.

She graduated from Cooley High School in Detroit and retired as assistant supervisor in the IBM Department of Lee and Cady Food Wholesalers before retiring in 1964, to move to Moose Pass, Alaska, to marry the love of her life, Lowell Ferguson. She worked at many businesses in Moose Pass and as Postmaster before becoming the first 1st Class Postmaster of Seward.

Dolores retired again in 1986, to work with her daughter, Margaret, in their business Dee's Original Alaskan Jewelry and The Alaskan Gallery. Dolores and Lowell were members of the Moose Pass Sportsman Club and charter members of the Seward Iditarod Trail Blazers. In 2002, Dolores moved to Silverton, Ore., for several years until she moved back to Alaska in May 2014, with her daughter, Margaret, for health reasons.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Lowell; brothers, Donald Speck and Hartley R. Speck; daughter, Karen Ferguson (adopted in 1968); and grandson, Carl Blankenship.

She is survived by her daughter, Margaret Blankenship; granddaughter, Linda Blankenship; grandson, Chris Blankenship and his wife Melodie of Anchorage; granddaughter, Savannah Holtam of Iowa; great-granddaughters, Alexis Blankenship and Jessica Blankenship of Anchorage; and great-grandson, Jaden Holtman of Iowa. Dolores also leaves several nieces and nephews in Michigan.

No services are planned. Her ashes will be spread at the lake named after her late husband, Lowell, in Seward, Alaska.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

2016, Anchorage, Anchorage Borough, AK, Death

http://www.tributes.com/obituary/show/Pauline-Blankenship-104205506

Pauline Blankenship, November 28, 2016, Anchorage, Alaska

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

2016, Anchorage, Anchorage Borough, AK, Obituary

http://www.alaskanfuneral.com/obituaries/Pauline-Paulie-Blankenship?obId=1227047#/obituaryInfo

Pauline Marie Blankenship, 66, wenthome to be with her Lord and Savior early on Monday, November 28, 2016. Shedied at home from a swift and sudden heart attack, with her husband Harvey Blankenship by her side. She was born on May 18, 1950, in Lewiston, Maine, at the peak of the fiddlehead season.

Paulie grew up in a family of five children, attended high school in Lewiston and attended college for a year, before spreading her wings and hitchhiking to Alaska in the early1970s. Paulie loved Alaska, and found the relaxed Alaskan way of life much more suited to her earthy, "hippie" ways than that of more rigid New England. She embraced the rugged Alaskan lifestyle with stamina, strength and resilience. Paulie lived remotely in a cabin on Crossman Ridge for a couple of years, then moved to Tutka Bay with Dick Dunn. They two were married by brother Isaiah in the late '70's. They thrived in the simple subsistence life, in harmony with the ebb and flow of the tides, harvesting from the land and sea. Paulie joyfully gathered blueberries, wild mushrooms and fiddleheads, exploring the beaches for tiny shells, and crafting candles from kelp bulbs. Many of her treasures ended up hanging from her mobiles or gracing her unique outhouse.

In 1978, Paulie was thrilled to give birth to her only son, appropriately named Jocean Dunn. They had many wonderful adventures together. Eventually life took a few difficult twists, through which Paulie found her hope in the love of God, and in 1991, Paulie moved to Homer. In 1992, she began her 25 year career as a CNA and restorative aide in Long Term Care at South Peninsula Hospital. She was chosen as Employee of the Quarter in 2011 because of her exceptional work ethic and compassion for the residents. Her innovative presence at the hospital will be greatly missed. Paulie planned to retire in May.

Paulie remarried on May 6, 1995 to Harvey Blankenship. They celebrated 22 years of marriage this spring and were anticipating a grand road trip to visit the grandchildren and her siblings in Maine.

Paulie loved nature and being outdoors, beachcombing, exploring in the woods, cross-country skiing and hiking and digging in the earth. On one of her excursions, she and Harvey made a rare beachcomber's find, a sea turtle washed upon an Alaskan beach! She was very artistic and creative, and her most recent passion was creating beautiful stained glass works of art in exquisite colors. Her simplicity and love of God's creation was beautiful, and her kind, caring spirit will be so greatly missed.

Paulie was preceded in death by her son Jocean Dunn; her brother, Raymond Bergeron; and her parents, Joseph and Jacqueline Bergeron.

She is survived by her husband, Harvey Blankenship of Homer; siblings, Robert (and Jeselle) Bergeron of Anchorage; Sue (and Dwight) Corning of S. Paris, Maine; and JoAnn (and Jeff) Suter of Seattle; grandchildren Bradly, Denali and Caleb; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

A celebration of Paulie's life will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016, at 2:00 pm at the Homer Assembly of God Church, 736 East End Road.

 

Harvey J. Blankenship, Sr. – b.03Aug1954 – Homer, AK: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2MHG-DP6

 

2017, Anchorage, Anchorage Borough, AK, Obituary

http://www.sitkasentinel.com/7/2012-05-10-22-08-43/obituaries/12144-joseph-joe-p-anderson

Joseph (Joe) P. Anderson went to be with his Lord on Nov. 2, 2017, at Providence Hospital in Anchorage, after a long struggle with several medical conditions. He was 72. Joe was born Jan. 9, 1945, in Olympia, Wash., to Gaylord and Geraldine Davis.

After graduating from high school, he served in the U.S. Air Force. Over the years Joe wore many hats: he volunteered for the Black Lake Fire Department in Black Lake, Wash., was a Teamster, a truck driver, a logger and a carpenter. He came to Alaska in the early 1970s to work on the oil pipeline, and in 1976, he moved his family to Sitka, where he worked for the State of Alaska Housing Authority. He absolutely loved Alaska. After leaving Sitka in 1989 he moved to Fairbanks, where he continued working until medical conditions prevented it. He lived in Wasilla for nine years then moved to Anchorage in about 2002. Joe was a Little League coach while in Sitka. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, hiking, jogging, and telling jokes.

He was preceded in death by his parents Gaylord and Geraldine; his sister Marion Gross; his brother Bud Hendrickson; and his two sons Jimmy and Jeff.

Joe is survived by the mother of his five children, ex-wife Judy Anderson-Martin of Benton City, Wash., his daughters Cindy (Darrell Blankenship ) Rochester, Wash., Angie (Jim Goertler) of West Richland, Wash., and his son Nick Anderson (Tina) Sitka. Joe had seven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He helped raise one of his grandchildren as if she were his own, Jami Russert Walker (Anthony), Fife, Wash.

Joe's ashes will be scattered in Alaska. No memorial service is planned

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

Anchorage Co., SSDI, http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi ,

Blankenship, Cecil C.        67, 19Dec1942 - 01Nov2010,          Anchorage, Anchorage, AK,               VA-226-58-8046

Blankenship, Ralph A.       94, 10Jan1916 - 10Jan2010,            Anchorage, Anchorage, AK,               TX-467-07-3643

 

Fairbanks North Star                                                                                      

 

2013, Fairbanks, Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK,

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (AK) - May 3, 2013

Plea hearing set for Fairbanks man charged for fatally injuring 2-year-old Jacob Williams

A plea agreement hearing has been scheduled for the Fairbanks man accused of fatally injuring his girlfriend's 2-year-old son last spring in Fairbanks. Carl David Jr., 26, had been scheduled to go to trial this week on a charge of first-degree murder for the death of Jacob Williams in April 2012. Now, however, a hearing on a change of plea is scheduled for 2 p.m. today before Superior Court Judge Douglas Blankenship. Such a hearing is generally scheduled so a defendant can change a plea from "not guilty" to "guilty," often in exchange for a lesser sentence offered by prosecutors. Fairbanks police, who investigated the case, wrote in the charging document against David that he admitted seriously injuring Williams because he was upset with the boy for wetting the bed while taking a nap. Williams' injuries included a fractured skull with internal brain bleeding. He died two days later in an Anchorage hospital. Staff writer Sam Friedman.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

Juneau                                                                                                              

 

2011, Juneau Municipality, AK, Obituary

The Daily Sitka Sentinel, (AK) - July 27, 2011

Longtime Juneau resident and former Sitkan David Frederic Thomas Lihou Sr. died July 13 at home in Juneau, surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was 73. David was born April 21, 1938, to Thomas and Alice Lihou in Vancouver, British Columbia.

After graduating from Langley High School in 1957, he left Canada and went to work for Washington Fish and Oyster in Port Williams, Alaska. From 1957 through 1959, he worked summers in Port Williams, and attended the College of San Mateo in San Mateo, Calif. He received his associate’s degree from the College of San Mateo and Seattle Pacific University. In 1960 he enlisted in the U.S. Army. For the majority of his military service, he was stationed in southern France, which he fondly referred to as the "Bordeaux Campaign". After completing his military service in 1964, he returned stateside to work for his uncle at Salvore Towing in Sitka, where he met Cecilia Margaret Jacoby. They were married June 3, 1967, in Seattle. They had two children, David and Mary, and enjoyed 44 devoted years of marriage, joy and much laughter. David attended the Seattle Technical Institute and subsequently received his professional marine radio telegraph operator license for ships from the U.S. Coast Guard. His first opportunity as a marine radio operator was for the Alaska Marine Highway System aboard the MV Wickersham. This later launched a long career as a professional marine radio operator for RCA which later became Alascom. During his lifetime David worked for the City of Sitka Public Works and State of Alaska DMV. A devoted husband, father, uncle, brother, and grandfather,

David is survived by his wife Cecilia Lihou of Juneau; children David F. (Sharon) Lihou Jr. of New Port, Wash., and Mary Lihou of Washington, D.C.; four grandchildren, Allison and Olivia Lihou, and Cassie and Sophia Lihou; his brother Robert (Bob) Lihou of Sitka; his sister in-law and Godmother Bernadette Blankenship; his brothers-in-law Paul, Robert and David Jacoby; his nieces Laura Duval, Jessica Blankenship and Cecilia Callender; and nephews Paul Blankenship and Rob Lihou; and numerous other nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held July 19 at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Juneau. He will be laid to rest 1 p.m. Friday, July 29, at Sitka National Cemetery, with Father Blaney of St. Gregory's Catholic Church officiating

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

2014, Juneau, Borough of Juneau, AK, Obituary

Published in The Juneau Empire on Dec. 22, 2014

Larry John Traeger (1931 - 2014)

Larry Traeger was born on May 16, 1931 in Timber Lake, South Dakota, the third son of Joseph and Gladys (Gamble) Traeger.

He attended Mt. Angel Prepatory School graduating in 1949. He then attended Northwestern University of Law, graduating in 1959. Larry excelled in sports throughout his school years. At 29 years old, Larry became the Municipal Judge in Lake Oswego, Oregon and was the president of the Chamber of Commerce. Larry served in the Army, January of 1951 through 1953 as a Cryptographic Specialist and spent nine months of that time in the field. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal. Larry was then employed with the FBI until moving to Juneau in 1962. He then worked as a Private Investigator, Insurance Adjuster and Marine Surveyor. In 1974 he became self-employed as Traeger Adjusters and Marine Surveyors. In 1984, Larry established Alaska Pellet Heating which is known today as Alaska Hearth Products. He was a member of the Juneau Moose Lodge #700 and the Sitka Elks Lodge #1662.

Larry married the love of his life, Kathy Bavard, on November 4, 1972.

The most enjoyable position that Larry held was that of the Mayor of "Lucky Me". The cabin in Tenakee Springs also provided fun and adventure for Larry and Kathy. He enjoyed family, friends, fishing, watching all sports and dancing with Kathy. Larry will be remembered as kind and caring to all he met as well as for his great sense of humor.

Larry is survived by his wife Kathy. Sister Jeanette (Harold) Gauge, Brothers, Joe (Kathy) Traeger, Louie Traeger and sister-in-laws Dorothy, Maureen and Susan Traeger. Brother-in-law John Bavard, Sister-in-law Evelyn Bavard. Children: Laurie (Troy) Mathews, Judi (Alan) Blankenship, Lauri (Jim) Ritter, Tony Weiss, Bridget Weiss. Grandchildren: Tyler Mathews, Mark Davis, Jeff Davis, Michael Laudert, Brandilyn McDonald, Travis Monahan, Casey Monahan and 9 great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces, nephews and godchildren.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Gladys Traeger. Brothers, Ed Traeger, Jim Traeger and Vincent Traeger.

It was Larry's desire that no formal services be performed in Juneau. Memorial services will be held in Mt. Angel, Oregon.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

+2017, Juneau, Borough of Juneau, AK, Obituary

Juneau Empire (AK) - September 1, 2017

Peter Hudson Nease Sr. passed away Sunday August 27 2017 surrounded by his family. He was 82. Born September 4 1934 in West Virginia to David and Betty Nease,

Pete enjoyed painting, writing fictional stories and debating politics among many others. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers from which he retired in 1997.

Pete was preceded in death by his mother and father, David Stanley Nease Sr and Betty Hudson Nease, his first wife Caroline Nease, brother David Stanley Nease Jr. and daughter Betty Blankenship

Pete is survived by his wife Lilly Day, son's John Nease, Mark Nease and Peter Nease Jr. & daughter Colleen Nease, step children John Day Jr., Crystal Delgado, Tracy Day & Angela Day, also adopted children Kaelyn Day and Zavian Day plus many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

There will be a private celebration of life on Saturday September 2nd at 6:00pm at the Cedar Park Rec Hall for family and close friends.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

http://obits.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/obit.cgi?Surname=%2Bbetty+g%22&type=Keyword&Start=10750

Blankenship, Betty Ann (Nease); 41; Moose Pass AK; Anchorage D-N; 2001-5-6; dlp

Blankenship, Betty Ann (Nease); 41; Moose Pass AK; Asheville C-T (NC); 2001-5-8; wrabb

Blankenship, Betty Ann (Nease); 41; Moose Pass AK; Asheville C-T (NC); 2001-5-9; wrabb

 

2019, Juneau, Borough of Juneau, AK, Obituary

Juneau Empire (AK) - November 27, 2019

Keith "Junior" Brososky was born on June 6, 2004, and left this earth on November 21, 2019.

He was very kind and was the first in line to help a loved one in need, family or friend. His family and friends were his pack. It takes a village, and he had one. His family and friends (C.J., Josh, Gabe, adopted sister Harley, and Imogen) have all been telling stories of how Junior helped them through something, even if it was just to make them feel better with a laugh, smile or just sitting and talking. Camping and fishing trips were a staple for hanging out and having fun. Like most teens, all-night gaming was a weekend habit if he couldn't be camping due to weather.

Junior is preceded in death by his uncle Robert "Robbie" Brososky, Jr., and great-aunts Colleen Brososky and Marie "Maxine" Evern.

Junior leaves behind his parents, Keith and Ruth Anne Brososky and older brother, Travis; grandmother Barbara Bartoo; aunts Deborah "Debbie" Stevens, and Faith Guthert; uncles Darrell Wayne Stevens and Daniel (and Lacie) Stevens; aunties Willow Gonzalez, Jennifer Garrison, Kimberly Guthert, Vickie Moore, and Tosha Moore; and cousins Raymond Stevens, Jessi Stevens, Julie Kreutzmann, Chuck Blankenship, J. B. Blankenship, Verity, Cassie, Korra and Kiana.

A memorial service will be at 11:00 am, on December 2, 2019at Alaska Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3839 Riverside Drive.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

Kenai Peninsula                                                                                              

 

2018, Kenai, Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK, Obituary

Peninsula Daily News (Port Angeles, WA) - December 7, 2018

John William Crummett, Jr., passed away Sunday, November 25, at home of natural causes. John was 70 years old. He was born at Ontario, Oregon, and grew up on a ranch in Idaho. His parents were John William Crummett Sr. and Echo Helen Christiansen Crummett. He had six brothers and sisters.

John served in the Navy from 1965 to 1969, and was a Vietnam War veteran. John had a love of the sea and boats. When he was discharged from the Navy, he made his way to Kodiak, Alaska, and went to work on large commercial fishing boats. At 23, he became captain of a Bering Sea crab boat and for the following years fished in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. He married Joy in 1986 and in 1989 the family went to Southeast Alaska on a small family Salmon troller. He was an avid reader and boat builder and was restoring a Canadian built salmon troller at the time of his death.

John was married to Joy Crummett in 1986, and was a stepfather to children, Jacob and Sherri.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John W. Crummett, Sr. and Echo Crummett; his brothers, John P. Crummett, Daniel Crummett and Peter Crummett.

He is survived by his wife, Joy, and children, Jacob (Rachel) Irwin of San Diego, California, and Sherri Blankenship of Sitka, Alaska; grandchildren, Dylan, Guinevere, Ella and Rhys Irwin and Colton Cummins, Vaughn, Gabriel and Sadie Blankenship; sisters, Molly Crummett of Honduras, Ann McAllister of LaCenter, Washington, and Peggy (Steve) Wilson of Olympia.

A funeral Mass will be held at Queen of Angels Catholic Church on December 10 at 11 am, preceded by the Rosary at 10:30 a.m.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

2019, Kenai, Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK, Obituary

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/adn/obituary.aspx?n=mary-jean-blankenship&pid=193047795&fhid=9289

Published in Anchorage Daily News on June 4, 2019

Mary Jean Orloff Blankenship passed away in Kenai, Alaska on May 27, 2019, at 49 years old. She was born on Dec. 20, 1969, in Anchorage, Alaska.

She graduated from East Anchorage High School in 1988. She lived in Chignik Lake, Port Lions, Anchorage, Kasilof, Kotzebue and Kenai, Alaska, and made life long friends at each city. She loved dip netting, sports fishing and purse seining, and shared her catch with as many people as she could. Mary Jean loved crafts, such as beading, sewing, quilting and crocheting. She also loved classic cars, bingo, the color purple and Prince.

She loved working with people and always made people smile and laugh. She was a great comfort to those who were in pain and always knew what to say to make a person feel better. She enjoyed being an auntie and had nicknames for all of her nieces and nephews and other loved ones.

grandparents, Mary Yurioff Naumoff, George Naumoff, Alex Orloff and Nina Orloff; uncles, Billy Yurioff, Mac Boskofsky, Jacob Lukin and Alvin Boskofsky; aunts Betty Boskofsky Lukin and Isla Naumoff Alpiak; and cousin, Gladys Naumoff Alpiak.

              Memorial service will be at 2 pm, on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at St. Innocent Orthodox Cathedral There will be a memorial service on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at the Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church in Kenai, at 1 pm. Burial will be at Kenai Cemetery immediately following the memorial service.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

2019, Kenai, Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK, Obituary

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/adn/obituary.aspx?n=mary-jean-blankenship&pid=193047795&fhid=9289

Mary Jean Orloff Blankenship passed away in Kenai, Alaska on May 27, 2019, at 49 years old. She was born on Dec. 20, 1969, in Anchorage, Alaska.

She graduated from East Anchorage High School in 1988. She lived in Chignik Lake, Port Lions, Anchorage, Kasilof, Kotzebue and Kenai, Alaska, and made life long friends at each city.

She loved dipnetting, sports fishing and purse seining, and shared her catch with as many people as she could. Mary Jean loved crafts, such as beading, sewing, quilting and crocheting. She also loved classic cars, bingo, the color purple and Prince.

She loved working with people and always made people smile and laugh. She was a great comfort to those who were in pain and always knew what to say to make a person feel better. She enjoyed being an auntie and had nicknames for all of her nieces and nephews and other loved ones.

Previously passed away are her son, Damian Kalmakoff; grandparents, Mary Yurioff Naumoff, George Naumoff, Alex Orloff and Nina Orloff; uncles, Billy Yurioff, Mac Boskofsky, Jacob Lukin and Alvin Boskofsky; aunts Betty Boskofsky Lukin and Isla Naumoff Alpiak; and cousin, Gladys Naumoff Alpiak.

Left to honor Mary Jean's love and memory are her four children: sons, Shawn Kalmakoff, Nathan Orloff, and Steven Werginz; and her daughter, Isla Ann Blankenship; father, George Orloff; mother, Joan Orloff; her siblings, J. J. Orloff (Peter Anderson), George (Muranda) Orloff, Janette (August) Knutsen, Melvin (Kelly) Anderson and Charles Orloff; nephews, Makhial Orloff, Damian Orloff, Kelsin Orloff, Brendan Orloff, Trevin Anderson, Dylan Knutsen and Rylan Knutsen; nieces, Brina Orloff, Falina Orloff, Carissa Larson, Trinity Soto and Layla Jackson; as well as several cousins, aunts and uncles.

A visitation will be held at 1 p.m., with a

Memorial service will be at 2 pm, on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at St. Innocent Orthodox Cathedral. There will be a memorial service on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at the Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church in Kenai, at 1 pm. Burial will be at Kenai Cemetery immediately following the memorial service.

 

2015, Soldotna, Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK Obituary

Published in The Peninsula Clarion on Feb. 5, 2015

Wilma Flora Ellington, 104 of Soldotna passed away surrounded by her family at the home of David and Donna Schmidt on January 24, 2015. Wilma was born September 8, 1910 to Alexander and Elizabeth (Jones) Smith in Keytesville, Missouri.

She graduated high school and attended six months of Business College before working as a nurse's aide and bookkeeper at the Odd Fellow Home where she was also a member of Rebecca's affiliate in Canon City, Colorado. Wilma belonged to the First Christian Church in Canyon City and sang in the choir.

Wilma loved to read, sometimes two to three books a week along with her newspapers. She was a football and NASCAR fan, especially cheering for the Denver Broncos and Dale Earnhart, Jr. She was known for her cooking skills, including fried chicken, potato salad, apple pie and chicken and noodles.

Her family said, "She was such a blessing to her very large family, many of whom reside in Alaska. She was born in 1910, horse and buggy days and ten years before women could vote.

Over the next ten decades, moving from Keytesville, Missouri to Colorado to Alaska, Wilma embraced all the changes that would occur. She was one of the oldest people on Facebook (she called it Facelift). She loved reading and used a Kindle until the age of 102. She kept up with news and sports (especially the Denver Broncos) by reading the daily newspaper front to back. Wilma loved to travel and was very excited when she boarded her first jet bound for Alaska to visit her family in the early 1970's. She also visited England, Canada, Hawaii, other cities in Alaska and the Lower 48 including Las Vegas (she liked to gamble). One of the very special events in her life was attending a Bronco football game on her 80th birthday. Besides her name being on the marquee, she met the players at half time on the field and was given a football signed by the team. Other memorable events were rides on a dog sled, helicopter and small planes, but her favorite thing was being surrounded by her family and friends. Her 100th birthday was celebrated in Soldotna at the Birch Ridge Golf Course Pavilion with more than 100 people attending. After hearing all the many tributes by family and friends at the party, Wilma told her daughter, Velda Hadley "she was one of a few people that got to celebrate their life while they were still living".

Articles about Wilma have appeared in many newspapers. Merrill Sikorski vowed to interview her every year on her birthday until he died. Her long life has resulted in many generations of family and friends that knew and loved her. Her legacy is the many lives she touched with her warmth and smile. She will be missed. Rest in peace Gramma, gone but never forgotten.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, James; daughter, Marilyn Fae; son, Larry; granddaughter, Tony Ellington; brothers, Alva and Forest Smith and sister, Agnes Sterling.

Wilma is survived by her sons, Clayton and wife, Joan of Homer and Dave and wife, Lisa of Homer; daughters, Myrna and husband, Pat Cowan of Soldotna, Velda and husband, Frank Hadley of Craig, CO, Donna and husband, Dave Schmidt of Soldotna; daughter in law, Neoma Ellington of Prince George, Canada; grandchildren, Tim and wife, Jennifer Cowan of Soldotna, Kelly and husband, Fred Vasilie of Soldotna, Michelle and husband, Cam Toohey of Anchorage, Johni and husband, Dan Blankenship of Soldotna, Mark Snyder, Collette and husband, John Erickson, Canada, Kevin Ellington of Oregon, Shannon Ellington of Canada, Roy Dean Ellington of Canada, Willetta Ellington of Canada, Rance and wife, Nicole Ellington of Canada, Lisa and husband, Scott Jackson of Soldotna, Carey and husband, Billy Hart of Soldotna, Stephanie and husband, Doug Green of Homer, Tracy and husband, Wes Drown of Las Vegas, NV, Michael and wife, Marty Ellington of Palmer, AK, Nathan and wife, Corrie Ellington of Homer, Shauna and husband, Rodney Klimper, Craig, CO, Shane Hadley of Craig, CO, Shaun Hadley of Craig, CO, Heather and husband, Jimmy Love of Soldotna, Jennifer and husband, Sam Satathite of Soldotna, Celeste and husband, Steve Robinson of California, Mellisa Schmidt of Anchorage, Leif Ellington of New York, NY, and Christopher Ellington of Canada; 65 great grandchildren, 23 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held May 31, 2015, in the pavilion at Birch Ridge Golf Course, when hopefully the lilacs will be in bloom.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

Kodiak Island Borough                                                                                  

 

+2019, Kodiak, Kodiak Island Borough, AK, Obituary

Kodiak Daily Mirror (Kodiak, AK) (Published as Kodiak Daily Mirror (AK)) - May 22, 2019

Annie Jones, 1953-2019.

Annie is survived by her husband, Tony, of 46 years, as well as two daughters, Hope Jones of Kodiak, and Molly Blankenship of Anchorage, she has two grandsons, Tyde Shavender and Jude Blankenship.

A celebration of the life will be at 3 pm, Saturday, May 25, 2019, at the Kodiak Assembly of God- located at 3416 Woodland Dr.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

Matanuska-Susitna Borough                                                                         

 

+2016, Palmer, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK, Obituary

Published in Alaska Dispatch News on Aug. 10, 2016

Walter "Bucky" Blankenship, 65 [18Jun1950], passed away on Aug. 3, 2016, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer, Alaska.

No services are scheduled at this time. Arrangements entrusted to Cremation Society of Alaska.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

Son of Ida Lee Blankenship ID’ed by Dale Evern everndale(at)Gmail.com

 

Nome Census Area                                                                                           

 

2016, Unalakleet, Nome Census Area, AK, Obituary

Published in Alaska Dispatch News on Apr. 10, 2016

Ray Len Caudill passed away surrounded by family on March 30, 2016, at Alaska Regional Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska. He was born on Oct. 29, 1958, in Banks, Ore., to Duane and Geri Caudill.

Growing up, Ray attended school in Banks. He graduated high school in 1976, and attended the University of Oregon before moving to Alaska, in 1978, to work on a fishing boat in Cordova. After fishing, he worked as a logger in Icy Bay, Alaska. That same year, Ray met his future wife, Robin, and was later married on May 5, 1984, at the Covenant Church in Anchorage. They have been married for 32 years.

In the summer of 1984, Ray and Robin moved to Unalakleet, Alaska, where they raised their only daughter, Dawn. That same summer Ray started working at the Brown's Lodge as a Cook and later became the Head Cook and Manager until 1995. Ray also Commercial Fished in Bristol Bay every summer for 18 years with Leonard Brown and his son, Melvin. In 1995, he started working at the Unalakleet Schools as a Cook and later became the Head Cook until his passing. Ray also loved being a Commercial Fisherman and loved being on the water. In 2008, he bought a salmon fishing permit and started fishing in the Norton Sound. His first year Commercial Crabbing season with his partner and friend, Melvin Brown, was 2015.

Ray is preceded in death by his father, Duane Caudill; and older brothers, Don and Rusty Caudill.

He is survived by his wife, Robin; daughter, Dawn; son-in-law, Steve Harris; grandchildren, Michael and Tami, Malorie, Kevin Blankenship, Alex and Steven Harris; mother, Geraldine Caudill; in-laws, Mildred and Ralph Ivanoff; brothers, Gary Caudill and Barry and Julia Caudill; sister, Glenna Cooley; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews whom he loved and adored.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on April 12, 2016, at the Covenant Church in Unalakleet, where a part of his ashes will later be spread in the ocean he so loved. Burial services will be held in Bend, Ore., on July 30, 2016, where he will be buried next to his dad and brothers.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

Northwest Arctic                                                                                             

 

+2014, Kiana, Northwest Arctic Borough, AK, Obituary

Published in Daily News-Miner on May 6, 2014

Ruth Blankenship Sandvik, 85, passed away Tuesday, April 29, 2014, in Kiana. Ruth was born in Kotzebue to Walter and Nellie Blankenship.

As a child, her family lived in Selawik and Candle, then settled in Kiana. She attended elementary school in Kiana, boarding school in White Mountain and finished high school in Fairbanks where she and her sister, Ida, lived with the bush pilot, Sam White, and his wife, Mary. She worked her way through the University of Alaska Fairbanks as the secretary to Otto Geist in the Archaeology Department, graduating with a degree in biology in 1951. In college, she met a geological engineering student, Peter Sandvik, the son of Matanuska Valley colonists. She taught high school for a short time in Fairbanks while Pete taught at the college. They were married in 1953 in Fairbanks and eventually became the parents of seven children. The Sandviks lived in several places over the years - Nome, Fairbanks, Colorado, California, Illinois - but always considered Kiana home.

Ruth and her cousin, Robinson "Rob" Blankenship, took over her father's store, Blankenship Trading Post, in Kiana, in the late 1950s when Walter became ill. They were business partners serving customers, meeting the mail plane in Kiana for 30 years as agents for Wien Air Alaska, and Munz Northern Airlines, and operating the post office, which was attached to their store, until 1986.

Ruth, Pete, and Rob built Kobuk Camp, a fishing lodge and camp for mining and oil exploration companies. After Rob's death in 2001, Ruth continued to operate the store. She had an incredible work ethic and expected the same of her family.

Ruth was an adventurer, an Iñupiaq woman who walked in two worlds with one spirit. She was the matriarch of her family, directing and including all in the operation of the family business. She loved berry picking, fishing, hunting and boating on the Kobuk River. She traveled to many places in the world, including four continents, Asia, Europe, Australia and North America. She was fascinated by archaeology and the history of Native people of Northwest Alaska. She was an enthusiastic supporter of the archaeological work of Dr.'s Louis Giddings and Doug Anderson, who focused their studies on Iñupiaq people.

Ruth was interested in the success of the community of Kiana, and the people of NANA Region. She served on the Kiana City Council. She was an excellent cook and a fun hostess, opening her home to many for an enjoyable meal, lively discussion and lots of laughter. She would strike up a conversation with anyone, and it was common for her to become fast friends with a seat-mate on an airplane by the end of the flight. It was typical for her to write notes of appreciation or encouragement, often surprising the recipient. She had an uncanny sense of timing. Her special messages always seemed to be delivered when they were most needed.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Peter Sandvik; her cousin who was like a brother to her, Rob Blankenship; her parents, Walter and Nellie Blankenship; her sister, Ida Blankenship Evern; her brother-in-law, Bud Evern; her son-in-law, Kelly Culver; and her niece, Ruth Evern.

She is survived by her seven children, Kara Sandvik, and her husband, Steve Hatfield, of Tacoma, Washington; Robin Kornfield, and her husband, Ed, of Anchorage; Helvi Sandvik, of Anchorage; Kristin Nevin, and her husband, Michael, of Flower Mound, Texas; Thor Sandvik, and his wife, Emily, of Columbus, Ohio; Trygve Sandvik, and his wife, Peng Wen, of Yichang, China; and Stacy Dale and her husband, Kitt, of Sheridan, Montana. She is survived by 16 grandchildren, Tamra and Tyler Kornfield; Robinson, Katy and Peter Culver; Kaylor, Terra and Jack Nevin; Linda, Peter, Haleyand Heather Sandvik; Tian Sandvik; and Rob, Kara and Allie Dale, and also by dear family friend, Bob Mariovelli, and her nieces and nephews and their families, Bucky Blankenship, Curt Evern, Dale Evern, Nellie Evern and Emory Evern.

A celebration of life will be held today, May 6, in Kiana and at 2 p.m. Friday, May 9, at O'Malley's on the Green in Anchorage. She will be buried later this summer at the family grave site on the hill behind Kidways, her favorite camp that was built by Pete and Rob.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

Sitka Borough                                                                                                  

 

+2015, Sitka, Sitka Borough, AK, Obituary

The Daily Sitka Sentinel, (AK) - April 10, 2015

Daniel Lynn Blankenship, owner of Dan's Excavation Co. (retired), loving husband and father, died March 28 at home in Sitka. He was 80. Dan was born Aug. 11, 1934, in Dallas, Oregon.

As per his wishes, no services will be held.

His family moved to Alaska in 1946, living first at Security Bay, then Petersburg and later Sitka. He attended Sitka schools, and as a teenager met Margie Klingbeil. They married in 1954, and raised five children.

As a halibut fisherman, Dan worked on the St., Nicholas (Adolph Thomsen), Freddie II (Dick Eliason) and Icy Queen (Merle Enloe). Dormand McGraw Sr. was his next employer, then the City of Sitka, where he was the City Shop supervisor.

He had a natural talent for operating heavy equipment, and moved on to jobs operating cranes and backhoes. Eventually he purchased his own backhoe and started Dan's Excavation Co. It was a vocation he really enjoyed, and it showed in his work – he will be remembered for his precision and safety on the backhoe. Dan enjoyed fishing, coffee time with friends at the airport round table, plowing snow for friends and family. But mostly he was a homebody. Dan loved Sitka, and never wanted to live anywhere else.

Dan is survived by his wife, Margie; sons Jack of Sitka, Dan Jr. of Soldotna and William of Sitka; daughter Lyn, of Sitka; brother Vaughn (Marian) Blankenship of Sitka; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth, and his parents, Welland Blankenship and Rose Marvin.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

+2012, Sitka, Baranof Island, Sitka Borough, AK, Obituary

The Daily Sitka Sentinel, (AK) - May 25, 2012

Longtime resident Rose K. Marvin passed away May 19 at the Sitka Pioneers Home, where she has resided for the past 10 years. She was 98. She was born Jan. 20, 1914, in Sheridan, Ore., the youngest of six children of Hungarian emigrants.

In 1932 she married Welland "Jack" Blankenship. They had two sons, Vaughn and Dan. They resided in Oregon and Washington until 1946, when they moved their family to Alaska, cruising north in a 30-foot wooden boat. They settled first in Security Bay, then Petersburg before moving here. At the age of 9, Rose made her first "shiny dime," helping her dad and crew cut grass away from railroad tracks near their home in Oregon. She worked as a seamstress at the Bremerton Navy yard during World War II; was employed at Mt. Edgecumbe Public Health Service Hospital as a seamstress, and as a nurse in the tuberculosis ward. She also worked as a payroll clerk. Rose and Kenneth Marvin were married in 1955, and eventually made Sitka their home. She enjoyed gardening, raising chickens and rabbits, sewing, cooking, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. She was instrumental in starting rural mail delivery in Sitka, promoting healthier school lunch menus, and pushing for full-spectrum lighting in classrooms. Rose was passionate about natural wellness, homeopathy and good health. The sign on her door at the Pioneers Home read: "Ancient Hungarian Artifact. Handle With Care."

Rose was preceded in death by her siblings, husbands Jack and Kenneth, and grandsons Kenneth and Robert Blankenship.

Surviving are her sons, Vaughn (Marian) Blankenship and Dan (Margie) Blankenship all of Sitka; six grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and 24 great-great-grandchildren.

Rose requested no funeral service be held, and that her ashes be spread in Sitka Sound.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

2016, Sitka, Alexander Archipelago, Sitka Borough, AK, Obituary

The Daily Sitka Sentinel, (AK) - September 23, 2016

Noah Stephan Mayo died Sept. 20 in Sitka. He was 37. He was born at home in Juneau on March 2, 1979, to Michael Mayo and Sherie Morrow.

Home at the time also was their fishing boat, the F/V Helen. Noah spent the first four years of his life on the docks. In 1981, after his brother Ocean and sister Coral were born, the family moved to their home on Kaagwaantaan Street in Sitka, where he spent most of his childhood. Life was adventurous, with seasonal fishing and boat work in Port Townsend and Seattle.

Noah was interested in animals, biology and mythology as a child. He was a voracious reader and good student. He began wrestling in high school, and joined the Sitka-Edgecumbe Youth Football League in its first year of existence, in 1996. During his high school years and later, he traveled to Kamchatka, Russia, India, Bhutan and Australia.

After graduation from Sitka High School in 1997, he helped coach wrestling in middle and high school, and also was a referee. His other interests were playing Magic with friends, science fiction, City League basketball, weight lifting, subsistence hunting and fishing, and working the daily crossword puzzle in the Sentinel.

He bought his first boat, the F/V Sea Dog, and a home in his mid-20s, and married Jessica Blankenship in 2006. They had two daughters, Autumn and Lily Mayo, and he took on the parental role of Dad to Evelyn and Lila Widmeyer, Autumn's and Lily's half-sisters.

Noah was a commercial longline fisherman his whole life, and three years ago bought his second boat, the F/V Resource, and learned to gillnet.

Noah is survived by his daughters, Autumn and Lily Mayo of Sitka; his father Michael Mayo and mother Sherie Mayo, both of Sitka; brothers Jeb Morrow of Petersburg, Dan Hoffay of Cottage Grove, Ore., and Ocean Mayo and Cedar Mayo, both of Sitka; sisters Coral Crenna, Ilona Mayo, and Song Mayo, all of Sitka, and Amber Mayo of Los Angeles; brothers-in-law Patrick Crenna and Mike Davidson, both of Sitka; his mother-in-law, Ramona Kirkman of Sitka, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

"Noah had a huge heart and touched many lives," his family said. "He was a caring and compassionate man and was always willing to help a friend in need." "We love you, Noah, and always will."

A memorial for Noah Stephan Mayo will be held 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, at the Sheet'ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi community house.

From: Diane Renfrow dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com

 

Jessica A. Blankenship – b.30Jun1982 - Sitka, AK: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJGW-17W5