A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 26 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church located at 2111 Muldoon Road, where Father Scott Medlock and Deacon Felix Maguire will preside.  A reception will follow.
Linda was born July 31, 1960, in Mount Holly, New Jersey where her Air Force family was stationed at McGuire AFB.  She moved to Alaska at age 4 when the family was transferred to Elmendorf Air Force Base.  She grew up in the Anchorage area and at age six began bowling in the Biddy Bantam League.  When an inter-city traveling league was formed between Anchorage and Cordova, Linda was the youngest to participate.  She was fondly called “Buckshot” by the Cordova coaches and was a fierce competitor even at a young age.  Linda graduated from Bartlett High School in 1979.

Linda began her career as a customer service representative at the Base Exchange on Elmendorf, where she met Dale A. Bode.  They married in 1981 and their son Justin was born in 1984.  Linda devoted her life to her family.  As Justin grew up and became active in school programs she followed, encouraged and involved herself in all that he did.  Through him she remained younger than her years.  She was team mom for many of his sports teams and his friends have always called her “mom”.

She moved on in her career and became office manager for GCI (at the time Prime Cable).

On August 30, 1998, in Las Vegas, Nevada she married Ronald J. Mohr, the love of her life.  As an above average bowler who loved the sport, she competed in not only league bowling but tournaments at local, state and national levels.  Being visible on the bowling scene is what initially drew the attention of her then to be husband.  Ron knew that she was a keeper when she agreed to get married on a several day break between bowling tournaments in Reno.
Linda was kind and compassionate.  She loved animals and was elated when her next job was as a technician at the Eagle River VCA where she eventually became office manager.  She adopted two dogs and two cats while working at the VCA and would have filled the house with pets if Ron would have allowed it. 

Linda’s love of bowling led her to become more involved in promoting the sport.  She was selected to be the Alaska WBA Association Manager and held the position for two years.  Linda enjoyed being a part of the operation of the State Association and was hired as the local GAUSBCA manager, the position she held at the time of her passing.

Linda’s loving family describes her as a beautiful butterfly.  She loved with all her heart sometimes to a fault.  If Linda loved you, you knew it and you felt it.  Her smile turned an otherwise dark day into a sunny one and will be greatly missed by all that knew her.
Linda was a devoted and loving wife, mother, daughter, godmother and friend who made it a point to spend as much time with her family as possible.
Linda enjoyed traveling with Ron and the family, bowling, cheering on the Alaska Aces as a season ticket holder and most recently supporting her husband in his journey on the Senior PBA Tour.  The people she met and became friends with amazed her.  She was proud to be by Ron’s side.  The experiences they shared were some of the highlights of her life; they truly enjoyed their life together. 
Survivors include her loving husband of 12 years, Ron; son, Justin and fiancée Erin Alvord; her father and mother, Hank and Fay Baldwin; her dear and devoted friends, Mike and Jackie Graeber and her godchildren whom she loved dearly, Tyler and Michelle Graeber.  Her Aunt, Janet M. Smith of Hagerstown, MD; cousins, George R. Smith and Kim Klug of Hagerstown, MD and Terry Smith of Dallas, TX.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers that a donation be made in Linda’s name to the Alaska Dog and Puppy Rescue, P.O. Box 876888, Wasilla, AK 99687.
Arrangements are with Legacy Funeral Home-Bragaw Chapel.

Wallis C. Droz (1919-2010)

Services will be held on Monday, June 21^st, at 3:30 pm, at the Klatt Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11701 Puma Avenue.

Dorinda was born in Sacramento, California and resided in California, France, and Virginia before settling in Alaska in 1970.  She is a Service High School class of 1977 graduate.  She has worked for the Anchorage School District for the past 16 years at Abbott Loop Elementary, Mears Middle, Lake Otis Elementary, and most recently at Bay Shore Elementary as an administrative assistant.

She loved spending time with her family, church activities, camping, traveling, playing bunko, and researching family history.  Dorinda was well loved and will be greatly missed as she enriched the lives of all those around her.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 27 years, Wesley David VanderMartin; son and daughter-in-law, Nathan and Rachel VanderMartin of Anchorage; daughter, Melissa Ann VanderMartin of Anchorage and BYU-Idaho; and grand-daughters Leah and Lucy.  She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Carrie and Steve Turner of Shenzhen, China and Las Vegas, Nevada; her father, Elroy “Bud” Burr and step-mother Marge Whaley of Anchorage; her brother-in-law, Richard and Diane VanderMartin, formerly of Anchorage but currently of Clarksville, Arkansas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Edith “Ann” Burr See, formerly of Anchorage, Alaska; Kona, Hawaii and Sagle, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers, Dorinda would appreciate donations to the Breast Cancer Society.

Arrangements are entrusted to Legacy Funeral Home ~ Bragaw Chapel.

Molly Yurkovich (1909-2010)

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Molly Yurkovich, 100, passed away in the Fairbanks Pioneers’ Home on June 20, 2010.
Molly was born Aug. 3, 1909, to Joseph Pasquan and Maria Susich Pasquan, in Roslyn, Wash. Molly grew up and met her husband, John Yurkovich, in Roslyn. Molly and John married Dec. 29, 1928, in Detroit, where John worked for Ford Motor Co.
In August 1931, John and Molly moved to Alaska, first residing at the Jonesville Coal Mine, and then at Suntrana Coal Mine. While living at the Suntrana Coal Mine, Molly became pregnant with their only child. Because of a lack of medical facilities, Molly and John traveled by train to Seward and by steamship to Oakland, Calif., where their son, Eugene Gary Yurkovich, was born on Aug. 30, 1935.
On May 5, 1936, Molly, John and new baby Gene set sail on the Alaska Steamship to Alaska, then by train, arriving at Suntrana Coal Mine on May 15, 1936, where they lived until 1940.
In 1940, Molly and John moved to Fairbanks so their son could start school, and they bought a home at 302 Well Street. Molly lived in the family home until she moved to the Pioneers’ Home.
When they arrived in Fairbanks, Molly worked at Northern Commercial Co., then transferred to Municipal Utilities System, as chief clerk, until her retirement.
Molly enjoyed traveling throughout the United States as well as Europe, especially Yugoslavia, where both she and John’s parents were born.
Molly was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son, and all of her brothers and sisters.
Molly is survived by her sister-in law, Costello Yurkovich; many nieces and nephews of Washington; her daughter-in law, Tena Yurkovich; grandchildren and their spouses, Gary and Carolyn Yurkovich of Fairbanks, Gina and Paul Hufman of Fairbanks, Susie and David Hanns of Aurora, Colo., and Diana Yurkovich of California; great-grandchildren, Morgan and Wyatt Yurkovich of Fairbanks and Chet and Chauntelle Hanns of Aurora, Colo.; great-great grandchildren, Cheyenne and Chanele Hanns of Aurora, Colo.
A special thank you to the staff of Fairbanks Pioneers’ Home for the years of care and love given to Molly.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, June 24, at the Fairbanks Pioneers’ Home, 2221 Eagan Ave.

Albert Vent

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Our beloved father, brother, uncle and friend Albert Vent died June 10, 2010, at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.
Albert was born Nov. 7, 1943, to Robert and Mary Vent of Huslia.
He served in the U.S. Navy. He was honorably discharged. He fought a brave fight with cancer for the last 10 years of his life. He lived with his kind and caring niece, Nakon’ Vent, and her son, Warren.
Albert was a humble outdoorsman. He loved to camp at the cabins up the Huslia River. He was very polite to everyone. His gentle and caring nature was displayed right up to the end as he asked everyone, “How are you doing?” He genuinely cared for everyone.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Mary Vent; siblings, Erma Nollner, Flora Huntington, Christine Anseth and Elmer Charles.
He is survived by his daughter, Tanya Yatlin; siblings, Catherine (Steven) Attla, Yolanda Sophie Sam, Freddie (Lorna) Vent, Herbie (Shirley) Vent, Warner (Alberta) Vent, Hazel (Ed) Krause, Mabel Vent, Eddie Vent, Gilbert (Christine) Vent, Carla (Larry) Saunders, Sharon (Paul) Vent, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 14 in Huslia.

Kenneth Howard Thies Sr.

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North Pole resident Kenneth Howard Thies Sr., 65, died of natural causes at his home on June 26, 2010.
Kenneth was born Aug. 8, 1944, in Geneseo, Ill.
In younger years, he served his country in the U.S. Army stationed in Korea, Germany, Georgia and Kansas. Then he served in the reserves in Alaska. His military career expanded more than 26 years. He received numerous awards and medals. He was employed with University Redi Mix as a commercial driver nearly 20 years.
Kenneth was a member of Teamsters Union Local 959 in Fairbanks, a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10029 and the National Rifle Association.
His family stated: “Our beloved son, dad and brother loved his military career, which gave him the opportunity to travel and see the world. His loves and hobbies included photography, rebuilding John Deere tractors, moose hunting and collecting firearms and military memorabilia. He was most happy when he moved to Alaska in 1988 and chose the state for his final place to reside, vowing to never leave.”
He was preceded in death by his father, Howard Thies.
He is survived by his mother, Elizabeth Foster, of Hallsville, Mo.; brothers, Dwight Thies, of Centerview, Mo. and LaVerne Thies, of Kewanee, Ill,: sister, Cynthia Ray, of Hallville, Mo.; his life partner of 17 years, Catherine Cook, of Fairbanks; children, Carl McDonald, of Missouri, Debbie LaCasse, of Kansas, Kenneth Thies Jr., of Alaska, Wendy Ewing (Thies), of New Mexico, and Jamie Perkins and William Perkins, of Alaska; 14 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A funeral will be held in Centralia, Mo., at a later date. He will be laid to rest with full military honors.
Arrangements were entrusted to Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home.

Gladyse Marie Christensen Tarble

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Gladyse Marie Christensen Tarble, 86, passed away June 5, 2010, at the Denali Center, surrounded by her children.
Gladyse was born in Hythe, Alberta, Canada, on March 17, 1924, to Percy and Bessie Wells.
Gladyse would laugh while telling the story that because she was born on St. Patrick’s Day, she was named Patricia, until the next door neighbor, Gladyse Sharkey, came over and reminded Bessie that she had promised to name her next daughter after her. For one week, she was Patricia!
While working as a waitress in Dawson Creek, B.C., she met Fred Christensen, a U.S. soldier who was with the U.S. Corps of Engineers working on the Alaska Highway. They fell in love and were soon married. Sons Gary and Rod were born while they were living in Canada. After World War II, they moved to Fairbanks, as did many ex-soldiers who loved Alaska. They built their home and lived in College when two daughters, Karen and Sharon, were born. Gladyse volunteered at the College Woman’s Club and made many lifelong friends. Gladyse and Fred were part owners in Pioneer Wells and Arctic Pumping and Thawing.
Gladyse worked at several downtown restaurants including Woolworths, and her favorite Co-Op Fountain where she enjoyed serving all the teenagers heading to the Upper Limits. The last years of her life, she lived in North Pole at the Holiday Heights Senior Center where she was very happy and proud of her home. 
“We love you Mom and will miss you and your great sense of humor and being there for us tremendously,” wrote her family.
Gladyse was preceded by her husbands, Fred “Chris” Christensen and Cal Tarble.
Gladyse is survived by her four children, Gary and Fran Christensen, Rod and Janice Christensen, of Fairbanks, Karen and Bill Tompkins, Sherri and Mark Lindsoe, of North Pole; her grandchildren, Shannon (David) Daniell, Christopher (Jennifer) Lindsoe, Jesse (Ashley) Lindsoe, David (Cindy) Tompkins, Kasandra (Jared) Robinson, Kristen (Don) Pressler, Mike (Susan) Kramer, Debbie and Diana McCarty, Jeff (Sandi) Weaver, and Bobby Weaver; her great-grandchildren, Alexis, Megan, Daniell, and Katelyn Tompkins, Colbi Lindsoe, Krista Tristan, and Wyatt Robinson, Tyeler, Alyah and Mia Tompkins, Peyton Mallory Pressler, Kendall Kramer, Corrina, Cody, Tyler, Hunter, Jeremy McCarty, Lucas Taylor, and Aiden Weaver; her great-great-granddaughter, Ava; her sisters, Doris Carter and Helen Martin, of Canada, and many loved nieces and nephews in Canada and California.
Donations can be sent to the Breast Cancer Detection Center or Denali Center Birch Lane. Cards can be sent to Christensen Family c/o Karen Tomkins 284 W. 6th Ave. North Pole, AK 99705.
Arrangements were entrusted to Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home.