Edna Mary Carlson, 77, died peacefully on May 7, 2014, with her family at her side. Edna was born Aug. 27, 1937, in Millington, Michigan, to Gordon and Hazel Green, and went on to graduate high school from Millington School.
Edna and Bud found each other through a magazine ad and mutual letters. Bud went east on vacation, flying first to Seattle then by train to Michigan. After only a week, he and Edna were married in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on Feb. 29, 1960. Family stories always reminisce about how one of Edna's sisters sobbed upon meeting Bud for the first time, "Edna married Elvis!" because of Bud's striking resemblance to the famous singer.
Bud and Edna traveled back to Alaska where her first introduction to the tough times of Alaska was Hurricane Section on the Alaska Railroad line. There were no roads to this one-home place with long months of darkness. She was every bit the lady when she stepped off the train in her long coat, ladies' shoes with simple heels and white gloves. It was her turn to make Bud's family and friends smile in admiration at his new bride.
Edna raised four kids with Bud and gave herself all the time they needed for school, sleepovers, day camp, cousins, caring for others, and never wanting for herself. It was a wonderful life of picnics, building our home together, storytelling, fishing and hunting, berry picking, and visiting. Edna kept herself busy with her puzzles, crafts and cards, and in later years, the computer and iPad. Edna always was willing to lend a hand and was sad when she couldn't. Edna was known to many as "Grandma Edna" and will hold a special place in many hearts.
Edna leaves behind husband, Bud, of 54 years; son, Gordon, and wife, Rachel, and Gordon's daughter, Becky; son, Vernon, and wife, Susan, and children, Tvetene and Kiana; daughter, Marie, and husband, Bruce, and children, BJ, Windy and John Henry; and youngest son, Calvin, and significant other, Jenny, and their future daughter. Edna has many more relatives in Alaska and Michigan who will miss her dearly.
A graveside service, followed by a potluck, will be at 1 p.m. today, May 17, at the cemetery in Cantwell.
Published in Daily News-Miner on May 17, 2014.
Obituary from the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner newspaper, dated Wednesday, September 9, 2009, page B-2:
John C. Grys, a longtime resident of Alaska, passed away peacefully at home in Fairbanks on Sept. 2, 2009. He was 88 years old. John was born Feb. 5, 1921, to Polish immigrants; he was raised on their family farm in Peplin, Wis. In 1952, John moved to Montana where he worked for the Great Northern Railroad. He served three years in the Montana National Guard and received an honorable discharge.
John moved to Alaska in 1955, and worked for the Alaska Railroad as a section foreman. He was stationed in Healy; he dedicated 28 years of service before retiring in 1982.
In 1958, John married Louise Topczewski from Hatley, Wis. They made
Healy their home and raised three daughters.
John was a skilled
marksman, avid hunter and trapper; and a longtime member of the National
Rifle Association. John was the last charter member of the Healy Valley
Lions Club established in 1968. During his involvement with the club, he
held the elected positions of president and treasurer. John was a life
member of the International Association of Lions Clubs. John is survived
by Louise, his wife of 50 years; his three daughters and sons-in-law,
Cindy and Allen Price, Lorraine and Ken Kastner and Caroline and John
Heater; and his four grandchildren, Kevin and Michael Price and Bailey
and Hillary Heater.
Services for John will be at 1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 13, at Holy Mary of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Healy. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the Valley View Memorial Cemetery located at Mile 247 Parks Highway (access across from Otto Lake Road). Please join the family at 3:30 p.m. in the Tri-Valley Community Center on Healy Spur Road, for refreshments and memories. Arrangements were by Fairbanks Funeral Home.
Anchorage and Sterling resident and citizen activist Dee Anne Hubbard, 62, died Aug. 29, 2009, at Providence Alaska Medical Center of renal failure. A service will be at 4 p.m., with a visitation from 3 to 4 p.m., Thursday at Witzleben Legacy Funeral Home, 1707 S. Bragaw St. Pastor George Richardson will officiate. Flowers are welcome. A second service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Cantwell Community Hall. Burial will take place in the Cantwell Cemetery.
Dee was born March 22, 1947, in Spokane, Wash. She earned a master's degree in political science from Eastern Washington University. She traveled extensively around the state for the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development's Division of Community and Regional Affairs. She was also employed by the Washington State Legislature and the Alaska State Legislature.
For many years, she was a volunteer with both the PTA and the Boy Scouts. She was involved with and past president of the watchdog group Private Corrections Institute. She was active in politics and volunteered her time with the state Legislature.
Dee loved to fish, grow flowers and play golf. She also was a master bridge player. "We will always miss her sharp wit and laugh," her family wrote.
She is survived by her husband, Charles Hubbard; sons, Frank Hubbard and David Hubbard and his significant other Theresa Steelman; and Brian Campana and Elton Carr.
Published in adn.com from 2009 Sep 2 to 3
