AK Cremation Society

Julie Ann Washburn (Phinney), a former resident of Gray, Maine, age 64, passed unexpectedly after battling lung disease in Wasilla, Ak on May 1, 2022. Julie was tough, tenacious, loving, stubborn, supportive, hilarious, and resourceful. She instilled a sense of pride and priority in her family that will live on for generations. She volunteered for her grandsons' sports, veteran organizations, and handmade blankets that she donated. She never met a stranger, was kind, generous, had a need for speed, and could out fish every one of us. She gave love to anyone who needed it, collected strays of all kinds, loved outdoor adventures, and was in her element around a campfire. She is survived by...

Alice Lelia Baker, 87, passed away September 23, 2021, at Providence Alaska Medical Center, Anchorage due to respiratory failure. Services will be held at a later date. Alice was born November 17, 1933, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Grove City College, Grove City, PA in 1951; she later earned her Bachelor of Engineering in 1978 from the University of New Mexico, Los Alamos. In 1951, Alice married James Joseph LaRotonda. To this union, four children were born, and the family lived in Toledo, OH, Denver, CO and Los Alamos, NM. Alice married Lara H. Baker on December 6, 1975, they made their home in Los Alamos, Derwood, MD and finally to Anchorage in 2004 after visiting...

Michael Whayne Sebrey, 67, of Anchorage Alaska, passed away peacefully and comfortably at home on Sunday, Pi Day, 3.14.2021. He had terminal cancer. He was born 6-25-1953 in Lafayette, IN, son of Whayne W. Sebrey and Elizabeth (Betty) Rose Baines Sebrey. He grew up in the Lafayette area until he moved to Alaska in 1982. He graduated from Jefferson High School in Lafayette and attended Purdue University in the Forestry Program. Mike met Pamela Wuestenfeld Sebrey in 1973 & they became inseparable, getting married in August of 1976. Mike learned and mastered many trades over the span of his life. He was a Pipefitter, Flight Instructor, Commercial Pilot, IT Manager, &...

Steven Keith Kauppila died Sunday, August 2, 2020, at Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage. Steve was born on March 13, 1959 to Wilbert "Lim" and Helen (Hill) Kauppila in Virginia, MN. He grew up in Parkville, and graduated from Mountain Iron High School in 1977. He worked at Inland Steel prior to moving to Alaska. In Anchorage, he worked for Flying Tigers, which was later purchased by FedEx. He worked as a Ramp Agent until retirement. Following retirement, he worked for Lowes. Steve enjoyed travel, and he especially enjoyed trips to Las Vegas in the winter. He will be remembered for his quiet kindness. Steve is survived by his sister Lois, "third kid" John Kingston, cousins, and...

Elizabeth Ann Taylor Bradford Brown was welcomed into the arms of her creator on April 18, 2020 in Anchorage, Alaska. A native Texan, Liz was born on November 1, 1936 in Temple, Texas; the daughter of William Taylor Bradford and Elizabeth (Elaine) Clark Bradford. During her 83 years, the world was blessed with her loving and gentle spirit. Liz studied Christian Education at Trinity University and, while in San Antonio, she met her husband, Elbert "Buz" Brown who was serving in the Army. While stationed in Taiwan, she taught high school English at the American school and, upon returning to the United States, developed a childcare center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, subsequently making their...

On February 20, 2020, Lois Jennings, 86, was called home to be with the Lord. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard (B.W.) and Mae (Phearsdorf) Harrison, and the great love of her life, her husband, Duane Jennings. She leaves her brother Ivan (Ike) Harrison and her sister Winifred (Harrison) Childs. She is succeeded by her two daughters, Karyl Jennings and Karen Jennings. She has eight grandchildren, Erin Rabon Ethridge (Michael), Ryan Rabon, Aislinn Hebrink (Ben), Harrison Jennings, Risa Jennings, Ethan Jennings, Keegan Jennings, and Duncan Jennings. She also has one great-grandson, Paxson Hebrink. Lois was born and raised in Portville, New York. She was the youngest child...

Patrick Bond Flanigin passed away early Christmas morning peacefully in loving hospice care due to kidney cancer in Anchorage at the Marietta House Assisted Living Home. Patrick was born on Valentine's Day 1954 in Oklahoma City, OK to Alfred and Rosemary Flanigin. After Patrick's father graduated from the University of Oklahoma, the family returned to Sheridan, Wyoming. Patrick was always proud of his Wyoming family ancestry since his mom was part of a homesteading family in the area. Sports were the passion of his life and would change with the season. Spring meant baseball, fall football, and winter basketball. It was basketball that Patrick excelled in and his true passion. From the age...

Ted Wilke passed away on Dec 21, 2019 at home in Anchorage Alaska. Ted served in the Merchant Marines and the Navy where he met his wife Beverly, also in the Navy. Ted and Bev married in 1954. Eventually making their home in Newark Calif., where they raised their four children. Ted was the neighborhood "big kid"; street baseball, front yard volleyball games were the family favorites. Neighborhood kids would knock on the door asking "can Ted come out and play?" Ted did not like to pass up a game or loose one either. Ted and his wife moved to Anchorage February 1976. He had a successful local business, Willodell Enterprise, remodeling AC stores, native schools and public buildings;...

Gerald Lyn Kokko, a son, brother, uncle, cousin, and fast friend, passed away peacefully December 6, 2019, after a battle with cancer. Jerry was born June 6, 1957 in Everett, Washington. He was raised in Marysville, Washington, and graduated from Pilchuck High School in 1975. He then enjoyed a variety of careers: boat building, commercial fishing, restaurant industry from dishwasher to cook to manager and finally retail, most recently with Lowe's. Jerry spent the majority of his life in Washington, with short adventures to Portland, Oregon and Twin Falls, Idaho. He fell in love with Alaska during his time as a commercial fisherman and in 2007 moved to Anchorage. Here he was able to indulge...

Vytas John Mitchell passed away unexpectedly on December 3rd, 2019. Vytas was born on April 18th, 1988 in Vilnius, Lithuania. He was adopted and brought to the United States along with his brother Povilas Mitchell in 1995 by Joe and Kate Mitchell, previously of Cummaquid, Massachusetts. After graduating from Barnstable High School, Vytas served as a Cavalry Scout in the United States Army for three years, stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. Upon his discharge from the military, Vytas returned to Cape Cod where he met his wife Hannah Farnham. The two of them fell in love and returned to Alaska. Vytas is survived by his beloved wife Hannah and their two beautiful daughters, Charlotte Tatiana...

John Andrew Koop, Jr., "Drew", age 55, passed away at his home in Anchorage, Alaska, Saturday, November 30, 2019, with loved ones gathered around him. Drew had waged a courageous and grueling 2 1/2 year fight against an aggressive cancer. Drew was born February 17, 1964, in Chanute, Kansas, to Janet and John Andrew Koop, Sr. His family moved back to Minnesota, settling in Rochester, and he graduated from John Marshall High School in 1982. He graduated with a B.S. from Winona State University in 1991. He became a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) in 1996, and moved to Muncie, Indiana to work At Ball Memorial Hospital, where he met his future wife. Drew married Marcie...

John Andrew Koop, Jr., "Drew", age 55, passed away at his home in Anchorage, in the early morning hours of Saturday, November 30, 2019, with loved ones gathered around him. Drew had waged a courageous and grueling 2 1/2 year fight against an aggressive cancer. Drew was born February 17, 1964, in Chanute, Kansas, to Janet and John Andrew Koop, Sr. His family moved back to Minnesota and he graduated from John Marshall High School in Rochester in 1982. He graduated with a B.S. from Winona State University in 1991. He became a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) in 1996, and moved to Muncie, Indiana to work At Ball Memorial Hospital, where he met his future wife. Drew married...

Beloved father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend, Allan David Beiswenger passed away on Friday November 29, 2019 after a long battle with brain cancer. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family and with his dogs at his side. Allan was born on October 4, 1948 in Fisher, Minnesota and grew up on the Beiswenger family farm. He was the Salutatorian of the Fisher High School Class of 1966, and after high school he attended the University of Minnesota. Allan graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and he was fond of telling people that he was "both a rocket scientist and a lawyer." After college Allan joined the U.S. Peace Corps and was stationed in Liberia, Africa...

Eugene (JR) Willis, Schlosser, Jr, 53, passed away November 27, 2019 at Kanakanak Hospital, Dillingham after a long battle with cancer. Services will be held 10:30 am May 9, 2020 at the Bristol Bay Church followed by a potluck at 12 Noon at the Senior Center. His cremated remains will be scattered in the Aleknagik and Nushagak rivers. JR was born July 8, 1966 in Dillingham. He graduated from Dillingham High School in 1984 and loved high school basketball and ivory carving. After high school, Jr went down to the lower 48 with his girlfriend and explored everything they could. His favorite place he explored was Washington D.C. and loved Montana's wild way of life. Over the years, he resided...

Earl James Douglas Sr., age 86, passed away peacefully and went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Anchorage, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. Earl was born in Gay, Oklahoma, May 29, 1933 to Langston Walter and Lela Carmelia Douglas. He was the tenth child of eleven children. Earl's father died when he was a young boy but he was raised by a God-fearing Christian woman which help shaped him into the man he became. Earl married Clara the love of his life on July 11, 1955. They moved from Phoenix, AZ to Portland, OR and then moved to Anchorage, AK in 1959 where they remained to raise their 6 children. Earl worked for Local Labors Union 341 for many years. Earl was proud...

Andrew E. Dowling, passed away Saturday, November 23rd. He was born March of 1934 in New York State and was brought to Alaska when he was 6, along with his Mother and two brothers to join their father. His family acquired a homestead in what is now midtown Anchorage, with Dowling Rd. being named after his father. "Andy" graduated from Anchor High, spent some time in the Army and then went to Oregon State University where he met a lovely woman, Donel, and enjoyed 59 of marriage. They had three wonderful children (Andrew, Brian and Shaunna), seven terrific grandchildren and so far two lovely great grandchildren. He liked to be called "Handy Andy." He helped his parents build on to their...

Vicky R. Proudfoot (Willner). 91 passed away November 16, 2019 in Anchorage. A Celebration of Life is planned for the future, date to be announced. Arrangements with Cremation Society of Alaska

Thomas W. Piper, Sr., 82, of Anchorage, Alaska passed away on November 1, 2019 at his home surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held at 2pm, November 16th, 2019, at Anchorage City Church with Pastor Kim Patterson, officiating. Arrangements are by Cremation Society of Alaska. Thomas was born to Emmet R. and Mary A. Piper on October 3rd, 1937. He went to school at Dunbar High School, graduating in 1955. He married Nora Lou Killian on August 3rd, 1957 in Shickshinny, Pennsylvania. He was a veteran of the Air Force, serving from 1955 through 1959. Thomas and Nora Lou then moved to Sutton, Alaska. He worked at Anchorage School District from 1960 until his retirement in 1991. Thomas...