Anchorage Funeral Home & Crematory

Katherine Jane Chapman peacefully went to be with her Lord on September 23, 2023, in Providence Alaska Medical Center at the age of 90 of heart failure surrounded by loved ones. She was born Katherine Jane Koester on February 21, 1933, in San Diego, CA to William and Alta Rose Koester. She preferred the nickname "Katie". Katie had one older sister, Jean Pauline Demeusy. Katie was a lover of sports. She was the Southern California Badminton champion for seven years running as a youth. She also loved to play softball and was on a women's team as a teenager. She was a competitor at heart, whether in sports like Badminton, billiards, and ping-pong, or in playing board games such as Scrabble,...

Dennis Richard Fisher, aged 40, of Anchorage passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2023. Dennis was born Friday, June 25, 1982 to Fredrick Lynn and Judy Alene (Hansen) Fisher in Anchorage and later worked for Ramshorn Electric from January 1, 1998 until his passing. His family remembers, "a native alaskan, Dennis spent his life building up and subsisting on this land. From a young age he has cared deeply for the ones closest to him. He always wanted to be a father and would give his exuberant attention and understanding to the children in his life. To his friends he was an open ear and an unwavering opinion and to his family a cornerstone. He was someone who truly cared. He was so close to...

David Charles Heafer passed away in his sleep on February 13, 2023. Dave was a life-long Alaskan and beloved owner of the family-run flooring store, Giant Don's Flooring America. Dave was born in Anchorage to John Benjamin and Mary Norrine Heafer. Dave was the third of four children, all of whom remain in Alaska. A 1986 graduate of Dimond High School, as a teen and young adult Dave enjoyed playing hockey and baseball. Dave is remembered by many as a dedicated businessman. In his early twenties, he owned a flooring installation business, and in 2001 purchased the Anchorage flooring store, Giant Don's Flooring America. For over two decades, Dave developed and expanded the company, and was...

JEFFREY LYNN FREEMAN ("not the coach" as he was wont to say) went kicking and screaming June 18, 2022; Jeff was 76 years old. A retired US Coast Guard Warrant Officer, whose 26 years in the Coast Guard from Greenland to Vietnam to Alaska greatly influenced his values and life, by no means defined it. Those crucial elements were to be the province of friend and wife Connie "Girl" and his perhaps most significant legacy - son Justin. Jeff and Connie wed in December 1970; son Justin followed decorously, a somewhat unusual occurrence for a son of a father in a seagoing profession, in May 1972. For Jeff, a thoroughly typical "sailor" in his formative years, Connie imparted a loving, mature and...

With heavy hearts, Doug's family shares the news of his passing April 01, 2022. Doug was born in Marietta, Ohio. Raised in the Boy Scouts, a love of public service and a roaring campfire were instilled in him early on. At 17, Doug earned his Eagle Scout Award and joined the Marine Corp. Doug was stationed in Beirut, Lebanon in 1984 where he served on the external security force for the US embassy. He was honorably discharged as a corporal. Doug moved to Alaska after meeting the love of his life Denise. Soon married, Doug enrolled in night school in order to better support his young family; graduating Magna Cum Laude with his AAS in Architectural and Engineering Technology in 1997. In 2006...

Nome Stickivan passed away on December 23 at Providence Alaska Medical Center at the age of 87. I want to say Nome had a happy life he believed in the Lord and had strong faith, Every person he has met was uplifted with his testimony, he shared a Bible scripture and he had many people come to him say they got saved because of his witness. He smiled and was always happy to meet everyone. He had a great love for his Guitar named her Lucy. he always said I've lived a good life, A long life, One of the highlights of his life was playing music at the Native musical with his first wife Lorette they played there for 31 years and made many memories. He always talked about working but his favorite...

Lifelong Alaskan resident, Robert E. Inga, passed away on July 14, 2021, at Alaska Native Medical Center. He was 71 years old. Robert was born in Old Harbor, Alaska on November 29, 1949, to Michael and Julia Inga. He served in the United States Army and was a commercial fisherman. Reflecting on Robert's life, his daughter Kathy stated: "My dad loved his family. Especially grandkids. He loved going to AA meetings. He was always teasing everyone and was always smiling." Robert is survived by his children Kathy Kosbruk and Derk Inga of Anchorage; grandchildren: Jasmine Monroe, Jeremy Mangrobang, and Roy Inga of Anchorage; sister Margaret Talisuk of Anchorage; nieces and nephews: Melissa, Fedot,...

Gregory "Partner" Nicholas, age 92, of Cantwell, Alaska peacefully passed away at Alaska Native Medical Center on June 1, 2021. Greg was a strong-willed man who fought off aging for many years before he finally agreed to rest by the hand of natural causes. Born in September of 1928 in a tent along the Holikachuk slough and raised in the Native Village of Holikachuk, located on the Innoko River. Greg eventually adventured his way to Seward and then to Cantwell. It was in Cantwell where he found the love of his life, Jane Nicholas. Jane and Greg were married in 1965 and together they created a welcoming home open to all friends and family. His first career was spent laboring for the Alaska...

Longtime Kodiak resident, Mr. Domingo Arturo Fajardo Castro, took his last breath on September 12, 2020 at Providence Alaska Medical Center with his children by his side. He was born on August 29, 1964 in Guatemala. He proudly served in the Guatemalan Military, later traveling to the United States. He was married to Veronica Castro, with whom he had three children. Domingo was active in the seafood industry. From his early days as a dock worker at Trident Seafoods in the 90's, to becoming a commercial fisherman. He very much enjoyed fishing, hunting, and traveling. He touched many lives and will never be forgotten. Domingo will be laid to rest in Guatemala at a later date. He is Survived by...

On July 5, 2020, Betty E. Novotney, 90, passed away peacefully at home in Anchorage, Alaska. Betty was born November 24th, 1929 in the town of Phillips, Wisconsin to Forrest and Evelyn (Gilson) Churchill. She was one of seven children. Life in her early years was very simple; food was grown, hunted and fished. Very little was purchased from a grocery store. During her high school years she met Robert Novotney (Bob) who become her husband and lifelong partner. They married in 1946 and lived on the farm Bob grew up on before moving into town, Cadott, Wisconsin. They moved to Menomonie, Wisconsin where Bob purchased Menomonie Shell. Betty was a stay-at-home mother & wife until Betty...

Bernard R Swoboda born in Kinsey Montana on October 27, 1925 to Charles and Ida (Engels) Swoboda, passed on January 30, 2020 at home in Anchorage with family and caregivers present. His family moved in 1925 from Wisconsin to Washington, then to Palmer in 1936 joining his father working as a carpenter building colony structures. They signed as alternate colonist, farming on Fishhook Rd. Bernard was drafted into the Army Air Corp during WWII. He was stationed in Whittier and Elmendorf, later deploying to Brazil at the end of the war where he met his future wife Adalgisa(Daisy) Lopes. After discharge he returned to Palmer. He sent for Daisy and married in 1947, raising 4 children in Palmer....

Bernard R Swoboda was born in Kinsey Montana, during the family move from Wisconsin to Washington State, on October 27, 1925 to Charles G Swoboda and Ida E (Engels) Swoboda. Bernard passed on January 30, 2020 at his home in Anchorage with family and caregivers present. Bernard lived in Bellingham, WA until moving with his mom in late summer of 1936. They traveled by steamship to Seward and train to Palmer AK. to join his father who was working as a carpenter building colony homes and buildings in down town Palmer. The family was later accepted as alternate colonist and started farming a colony plot on Fishhook Rd. He was drafted out of high school into the Army Air Corp. His first duty...

May Brandon, aged 86, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on January 29, 2020 at ANMC after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born to Percy and Mae Blatchford on May 18, 1933 in Teller, Alaska. Her family later moved to Nome, Sitka, and Seward for her mother's treatment of tuberculosis. May moved to Anchorage in the early 1950s. She worked at the ANS hospital before meeting and marrying Arthur Brandon on June 4, 1954, after knowing each other only 3 months. They had 4 children, Dolores, Theresa, Wanda, and Arthur II. Art and May made their home in Anchorage. May loved to fish and pick berries. She and Art would go to Seward yearly for the Seward Silver Salmon...

Longtime Alaskan resident Olga Jazzar, aged 75, passed away at home on January 13, 2020. Olga was born in Old Harbor, Alaska on June 29, 1944 to Costia and Dora Inga. Some of her hobbies included painting, sculpting, and beading. She is survived by her children: MelodiAnn Toni Clark from Anchorage, Cholam Miles Jazzar from Anchorage, and Anthony Joseph Jazzar of Beaverton, OR; Grandchildren: Cecily Clare Jazzar and Odysseus Nicolaides of Oak Harbor, WA., Kiyu Miles Ehler, Quyntyn Trygve Ehler, and Rosalina Isabel Amadita Zavala-Jazzar all of Anchorage, and numerous other relatives and friends. Services for Olga are scheduled for Saturday January 25, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Innocent Russian...

Michael William Inga, age 64, passed away on December 26, 2019 at Alaska Native Medical Center. He was born on October 25, 1955 in Kodiak Island. A Drum Keeper of the Seven Buffalo Drummers, Mitch was a family man that cared deeply for family and friends alike. From fishing trips in the Peninsula, to drumming at Powwows from Fairbanks to Seward, Mitch was a well-known kind man. Mitch is survived by his beloved wife Charity Lestenkof of Anchorage; children: Carl Inga of Anchorage, Leslie Inga of Willow, Lucinda Totemoff of Valdez, and Kyle Lestenkof also of Valdez; brother: Robert Inga of Anchorage; and nieces Julia Horvatin of Wasilla, and Amelia Simeonoff of Anchorage. Services for Mitch...

Joyce Elaine Schuerger, age 73, passed away while holding her true love's hand, on December 21, 2019. She was born December 20, 1946 in Seattle, Washington to Richard and Bernice Thornbrue. In February 1969, Joyce married Albert Richard Schuerger and they were blessed with almost 51 years of marriage. In February of 2019, they celebrated their 50th Anniversary by renewing their vows, while surrounded by family, in the Fern Grotto of Kauai. Joyce loved sewing for others and was a seamstress and costume designer for decades. Her journey as a seamstress lead her to work with the Seattle Opera, beauty pageants, and numerous theatrical productions. Joyce also had a huge heart for children and...

Long-time Alaska resident and retired Salvation Army Officer, Dolores Leona Rivitt passed away in Anchorage on December 15, 2019. She was 92. Dolores was born in Crookston, Minnesota on August 31, 1927 to Leon and Mabel Rivitt. During her childhood, the family relocated to Washington state, where in the late 1940's, Dolores was invited to The Salvation Army Bellingham Corps. While there, she felt a calling to serve the Lord by helping people. She attended the Salvation Army School for Officer Training in San Francisco and was commissioned as a Probationary Lieutenant on June 19, 1950. Her first appointment was to Sitka, Alaska. Dolores served with distinction for approximately 35 years...

Longtime Alaskan Dorinda Ruth Wenrich (Callan) passed away at Providence Alaska Medical Center after a short illness caused by a rapid advancement of dementia. Dorinda was born in Russellville, AR and moved to Alaska with her parents, Leslie "Kiwi" Callan and Mildred "Ruth" Callan (Hankins), and younger brother Steven Callan in 1952. Dorinda was involved in various parts of the automotive and oil and gas industries. She worked for B & C Supply and was part owner of Eagle River Automotive. She later worked in retail for various gas stations/convenience stores first for Chevron and later Tesoro. The last station she managed was the Tesoro on the corner of Northern Lights and the New...

Greggory C. Wannemacher was born in Columbus, Ohio in March of 1953. He died in Anchorage, Alaska on December 7, 2019. His passion for adventure brought him to Alaska in the summer of 1977. He hitchhiked his way there, and never looked back. Gregg was a wayward soul. He moved around often for work or love. He was a chef most of his life, aside from a 2 year enlistment in the US Army. Gregg was the teller of many tall tales. He would have made a great fiction writer. Most of his tales were based on his life experiences. As a youngster, he was an excellent swimmer and diver, an altar boy, and a boy scout. In school, his favorite subjects were history and English. As a young man; chess,...

Jeffrey Darrold Jackson, known to loved ones as the "Urban Hermit" died December 2, 2019 at his family home after a two-year battle with prostate cancer. Jeff was born on March 19, 1958 in Witchita Falls, TX. He graduated in 1977 from East Anchorage High School. He served over twenty years as an Air Traffic Controller in the US Air Force and went on to become a Ramp Agent at Federal Express. Jeff loved fishing, fly-tying and being outdoors. Frankly, he was not fond of most people, but he loved his family fiercely. Those who knew Jeff best will not be surprised to know-there will be no service. Jeff requested his ashes be spread in Kodiak, AK where he spent many days exploring the fishing...