Maxine L. Barrett

Sep 10, 1929 -

Jun 15, 2026

Maxine Laverne Raymond was born on Sept. 10, 1929, in Choctaw, Okla., delivered at home by her grandmother Maggie.

Maxine's family moved west, where Maxine was raised in the farming heartland of California. She graduated from Ceres High School in 1947, where she was a top student and cheerleader who enjoyed playing basketball. Shortly after graduation, Maxine eloped with her high school sweetheart, Hank Thurman. The young couple relocated to Los Angeles, Calif., where Hank pursued a heavyweight boxing career. The marriage produced two daughters: Sandra and Deborah. Hank's boxing aspirations came to an early end and the couple divorced in 1961. Maxine remarried, taking her family to a new home in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1963. Maxine was hired by a prominent dentist in Honolulu, where she worked as his office administrator for 20 years. After a divorce, Maxine remarried a lieutenant colonel in the Army who had two sons. After nine years, the couple divorced. Maxine had many friends in Hawaii and stayed busy socially. At age 50, she met her soul mate, John Clarkin, M.D.; they spent 12 happy years together. Maxine relocated to Anchorage, Alaska, when her first grandchild was born and she never left again. She loved the beauty of the area and the camaraderie of Alaskans. She loved gardening and growing flowers in the spring.

In August 2023, Maxine moved to the Anchorage Pioneer Home. While living there she was provided with great care and friendship. On the evening of June 15, 2026, Maxine passed away. We will miss her sharp mind and quick wit.

Maxine was predeceased by her parents, D.F. Raymond and Ethel Davis; and brothers, David Raymond and Gene Raymond. She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Todd and son-in-law Richard Todd; daughter, Deborah Thurman; granddaughter, Natalie Todd; and grandson, Garrett Todd.

Maxine's remains will be scattered in fall 2026.

Donald E. Cox Jr.

Jul 2, 1936 -

Jun 12, 2026

Donald Earl Cox Jr. passed away of natural causes on June 12, 2026, in Anchorage, Alaska. Donald, the oldest of three children, was born to Donald Earl Cox Sr. and Louise Rene Wilder on July 2, 1936, in Indianapolis, Ind. Donald moved with his family to Anchorage when he was 9 years of age. Donald graduated from Anchorage High School.

Donald met the love of his life, Jocelyn de Lancey, "Jo," at a teen club dance. They married and built a home together where they raised four children together, Darin, Terrie, Ronald and Shannon. Donald worked hard to support his young family. He was a baggage handler and a deicer for Northwest Airlines by night, and studied to be a Lineman with IBEW 1547. He was initiated on July 1, 1964; he was a member for 62 years, during the day. Holidays and inclement weather would find Donald high on a pole working hard to get electricity back to Anchorage residents whenever it decided to go out. Donald was dedicated to his family, and he thoroughly embraced Jo's artistic creativity. He built a darkroom for their joint passion for photography. Donald would later turn the darkroom into a room for a kiln to fire her many pottery pieces. Donald supported Jo's artist talent and was incredibly proud of her when she graduated from University of Wisconsin with a master's degree in fine arts.

Donald was an avid downhill skier. He skied with Northwest Airlines ski team. He commercially fished out of Nannek with his friend John Bandle for a few seasons. He enjoyed any activity he could do with his family. He volunteered countless hours at the ARCH of Anchorage and was a member of the Alaska Territorial Guard. After his retirement from Chugach Electric he worked for eight seasons with McMurdo Station in Antarctica.

Donald was preceded in death by his lovely wife, Jo; children, Darin, Ronald and Shannon; and grandchildren, Brittany and Billy. Donald is survived by his daughter, Terrie (Royal) Mason; nine grandchildren; two great-gandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Union Hall, 3300 Denali St. #20, on July 18, 2026, at 1 p.m.

Lou Ann Hennig

Mar 10, 1950 -

Jul 3, 2026

Lou Ann Wait Hennig, 76, of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2026, with her beloved husband by her side. She died from complications of sepsis after a life filled with music, laughter, friendship and a deep love for her family and community.

Lou Ann was born on March 10, 1950, in Woodstock, Ill., to Hershey and Carolyn Lou Wait, who preceded her in death. Around the age of 10, she and her three younger brothers moved with their family to Lake Zurich, Ill. In 1964, the boy who would become her future husband moved in next door. Neither of them could have imagined that a childhood friendship would grow into a lifelong love story.

She graduated from Lake Zurich High School with the class of 1968, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. During high school, she was active in band, playing the flute and piano.

Lou Ann attended Northwestern University, where she studied music and added the harp to her repertoire under the instruction of renowned harpist Alberto Salvi. Her music studies were cut short after she underwent thoracic outlet surgery. During her recovery to regain the use of her arm and hand, she attended secretarial school in Chicago as she prepared for a new career.

She was the beloved wife, partner and best friend of Stephen Hennig, and the devoted mother of C'Lou Hennig (JT Foy Jr.). Lou Ann and Steve began dating in high school and were married on Aug. 11, 1973. She always loved to say, "I married the boy next door." Four days after their wedding, they packed a U-Haul and moved to Logan, Utah, where Lou Ann worked to help put Steve through school at Utah State University. When Steve received a job offer in Alaska, Lou Ann thought he was joking and insisted he call back so she could confirm it herself. In 1977, they packed their little Toyota hatchback and headed north to begin the adventure that would become their home for nearly five decades.

In 1979, Lou Ann found what would become her lifelong career when she joined the Anchorage Daily News as administrative assistant to publisher, Kay Fanning. At the time, the newspaper was a small operation with a staff of only 12 people. Over the next 29 years, Lou Ann earned the respect of her colleagues and rose to become the Human Resources Director.

Although her career flourished, she never left music behind. In 1993, she joined the Anchorage Concert Chorus as a proud alto. In addition to performing, she served for many years on the Chorus Board, including as its president. Touring with the chorus allowed her to sing in some of the world's most beautiful cathedrals, including St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, along with many other remarkable venues. One of the highlights of her musical life came in 2022 when she performed at Carnegie Hall. Yet among her favorite roles was serving as auditions chair because annual auditions gave her the opportunity to personally meet every member of the chorus.

Gardening was Lou Ann's other great passion, a love she inherited from her mother. She became a Master Gardener, and the gardens surrounding her home were her pride and joy. She especially loved hostas, collecting nearly 80 varieties, with a particular fondness for blue cultivars. During Alaska's summers, she could often be found happily weeding, deadheading or cutting fresh flowers to enjoy throughout the house. Wherever she traveled, she sought out local botanical gardens for inspiration and was always on the lookout for a new plant to bring home.

Lou Ann's legacy is one of love, kindness, curiosity, generosity and joy. She will be profoundly missed by her family, friends, choir members, former colleagues and all who had the privilege of sharing in her life. Though her voice has fallen silent, the music she shared and the love she gave will continue to resonate in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

Lou Ann is survived by her husband, Stephen Hennig; daughter, C'Lou Hennig (JT Foy Jr.); brothers, Eric Wait (Barb), Roy Wait (Sue) and Kurt "Skook" Wait (Mari Anne); as well as many nieces and nephews, cherished friends, former colleagues, fellow choir members and countless others whose lives she touched.

Memorial donations may be made in Lou Ann's honor to the Anchorage Concert Chorus.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.

Thomas Michael "Tom" Jenkins

Aug 3, 1952 -

Jun 17, 2026

Thomas "Tom" Michael Jenkins Sr., 73, of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away on June 17, 2026, at University Medical Hospital in Seattle, Wash., while awaiting a liver transplant.

Born on Aug. 3, 1952, in Anchorage, Tom lived a life shaped by many experiences and was known and loved for the stories he'd tell. He worked for 30 years as a laborer with Local 341 and for 20 years with Local 71 at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Jeanie Jenkins; first wife, Olga Maria Jenkins; two stillborn sons; son, Thomas Jr.; and daughter, Michelle Jenkins.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Victoria Jenkins; children, Richard Jenkins, Sandy Jenkins and Maria Fry; grandchildren, stepchildren, great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; sister, Janice Beltran; and brother, Jack Jenkins Jr.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's memory may be made to the Downtown Hope Center, the Salvation Army Older Persons Program, Chessed Alaska or the Profession of Kinlein.

The service for Tom will be held on Aug. 3, 2026, at First Assembly of God Church, on 15th and C Street, at 1 p.m.

Robert James Kilby

Mar 27, 1974 -

Jul 6, 2026

Longtime Anchorage, Alaska, resident Robert James Kilby passed away on July 6, 2026. He was born in Oxnard, Calif., to his parents Bob and Delane Kilby.

Rob graduated from West High in Bakersfield, Calif. He lived most of his adult life in Anchorage. He was very proud to be a co-owner of 907 Ale House in Anchorage. He was a very generous person, raising money for people in need and opening his home to many. He was the proud father of Bobby and Troy Kilby. They enjoyed watching - and arguing endlessly - over every imaginable sport.

He was preceded in death by his beautiful baby girl, Aquena Gallahorn; and the mother of his sons, Melissa Kilby (Roberts). He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

A Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends on Monday, July 13, 2026.

Kathy Diane Mills

Aug 3, 1948 -

Feb 1, 2026

Eagle River, Alaska, resident Kathy Mills, 77, died peacefully on Feb. 1, 2026, at Baxter Senior Living in Anchorage, Alaska, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Kathy was born in Canton Center, Conn., on Aug. 3, 1948, to Orrin and Robina Mills. While still a young girl her family moved to Boulder, Colo. In 1967, Kathy graduated from Boulder High School.

In 1970, Kathy decided to move to Alaska to be near her older brother Doug and his wife Shirley. They all have fond memories of those early years going to the Fur Rendezvous, attending the Miners and Trappers Ball and watching the start of the Iditarod in downtown Anchorage.

Eventually, Kathy went to work at the University of Alaska and got her own apartment. During her years there she continued her education and attained several degrees.

Kathy's passion in life was quilting. She could turn a piece of fabric into a work of art. Kathy's memory will live on in the many beautiful quilts and wall hangings that she so generously shared with her family and friends.

One of Kathy's colleagues at UAA was a handsome psychologist who fell in love with her. Owen Gourley and Kathy were married in 2001. He was the love of her life. Owen followed Kathy in death in June 2026.

Kathy is survived by stepson, Scot Gourley of Chugiak, Alaska; stepdaughter, Danielle Evans of Anchorage; stepson, Jay Gourley of Chicago, Ill.; brother, Doug and Shirley Mills of Palmer, Alaska; brother, Dave and Cheryl Mills of Connelly Springs, N.C.; sister, Tara and Bob Barrows of Hot Springs, Mo.; and many nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her father, Orrin A. Mills; mother, Robina Mills; and sister, Robin Webb.

The family is planning a celebration of life this summer in Palmer, where they will plant a tree for both Kathy and her sister Robin in their memory.

Carl "Vinnie" "Van" Novak

Sep 1, 1954 -

May 30, 2026

Carl Vance Novak, "Vinnie" or "Van," passed away on May 30, 2026, at 71 years old. Van was born on Sept. 1, 1954, in Clarks Point to Anna Louise Thiele and Henry Shade. In 1960, his mother married Stephen Novak, who adopted Van and enthusiastically and whole-heartedly raised him and the rest of the family in Anchorage, Alaska. Van graduated from Dimond High School in 1972, and attended Anchorage Community College. Talented and hard-working, he began working as a commercial fisherman with his uncle Carl Thiele's family, as an architectural draftsman, and then framer and construction worker. For a while he ran his own framing company, "Vinnie Construction." In 2002, he began working with West Construction, specializing in heavy construction projects including docks, bridges and airports. When West was bought by Orion Marine Group, he continued with them until his illness and passing. His work took him across the state of Alaska, including Dutch Harbor, Grayling, Fairbanks, Wainwright, Juneau, Yakutat, Whittier - and a stint beyond Alaska, in Iraq! - and finally Ketchikan, where he met his wife, Yvonne Stanley Novak, in 2014, when building the dock there. A very special love, they married on his birthday, Sept. 1, 2021, making that day even more meaningful.

Though their years together were far too few, they were filled with love, laughter, friendship and dreams for the future.

Besides leaving his mark on things like the Nenana River bridge in Fairbanks, the Tudor Overpass - used by pedestrians and dog sled teams - and docks, a seafood plant and a baseball field in Dutch Harbor, he was generous with his time and talents when family and friends needed a deck, entry steps, a smoke house, roof repair and heck, a whole second story on his sister's house! Van will always be remembered for his generosity, enthusiasm, his big, big laugh and his endless supply of funny stories and the ability to make everything fun.

He is survived by his wife, Yvonne; stepson, Zachary Stanley; lookalike kids, Victoria Novak (Matthew Stiles) and Ken Stevens; granddaughter, Anastasia Stiles; grandson, Zander Stanley; father, Steve Novak; sisters, Louise Gail Novak, Stephanie Wood and Kathy Burgoyne (Curt Burgoyne); sister-in-law, Susan Novak; and many nieces, nephews and cousins in Alaska and in the Lower 48.

Growing up, Van filled the home with laughter and music - drums, flute, harmonica, whistling and especially his tenor sax. Always kind of outrageous, water fights sometimes moved indoors, and raw eggs got dyed and smuggled into the rest of the Easter eggs, with predictable and messy results.

Van chose a life filled with adventure. He helped his dad build cabins, hunted and fished, explored and combed beaches for treasures, and was a talented photographer and cook. He was an avid collector of so many cool things, including but not limited to coins, old bottles and cans, rocks, old egg beaters, guns and Wien Airlines memorabilia. He absolutely loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles and flying his red Super Cub.

Van is predeceased by his mother, Louise Novak; Henry Shade; sister, Joyce Shade; brother, Henry Novak; stepdaughter, Ciera Stanley; numerous aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins.

If you knew Van/Vinnie, come share food, gratitude for and stories about this outrageous, larger-than-life, amazing man on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, at 2 p.m., at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 8100 Arctic Boulevard in Anchorage.

Bertis A. "Bert" Schultz

Oct 30, 1931 -

Jun 21, 2026

Longtime Alaskan Bertis Alton Schultz, age 94, died on June 21, 2026, at his home.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Soldotna Bible Chapel. He was laid to rest in a private ceremony at Spruce Grove Memorial Park in Kasilof, Alaska.

He was born in Altoona, Pa., on Oct. 30, 1931, to Otto and Edna Schultz. Bert was the first full-time director of Solid Rock Bible Camp, and started KSRM Radio through Solid Rock Ministries Inc.

Bert came to Alaska, in 1957, as a missionary with his wife Donna and son Scott, to Old Harbor and then moved to Sterling, Alaska, where he pastored Northland, now Sterling, Baptist Church before helping to start Solid Rock Bible Camp with Kenai Peninsula Fellowship. Bert directed the camp from 1961 to 1996, retiring after 38 years of developing programs to help young people understand God's love for them. Even after retirement, he continued to support the mission of the camp in many ways. His later years were spent enjoying his grandchildren and helping others in the community.

Preceding him in death were his parents; sister, Doris Kipple; and his wife of 70 years, Donna Jean (Porte) Schultz. Surviving and missing him are his sister, Joanne Hunter; sons, Stephen Schultz and fiance Kaylee Stuart, and Scott Schultz; grandchildren, Kyle Schultz and wife Jessie, and Kinsie Misner and husband Mike; grandchildren, Mok and Pim in Thailand; great-grandchildren, Ryder and Kori Schultz, Deakon and Rex Grove and Sun.

Carol Ailene Smith

Jun 30, 1951 -

Jun 30, 2026

Carol Smith passed away at her home, at the age of 75, on June 30, 2026.

Carol was born to Joseph and Iva Oskolkoff on June 30, 1951, in Pine Bluff, Wyo. She became a resident of Anchorage, Alaska, in spring 1979. Alaska won her heart, and she was proud of her Russian-Aleut heritage through her father and was a member of the CIRI Corporation. Carol's mother taught her to love baking bread, crocheting, reading and caring for children. Her parents instilled a love and trust in God and His Word that sustained her throughout life.

She retired from the Anchorage School District, where she had been employed as a teacher's aide specializing in special needs children and was a foster parent for DFYS (CPS) for 15 years.

Carol met Howard Smith at a church event hosted by Muldoon Community Assembly. After dating for many months they were married in Anchorage, at the house of a friend, on Aug. 30, 1980. Carol and Howard were nearing their 46th wedding anniversary when Carol passed away. Howard and Carol sincerely loved each other, and Howard misses her deeply.

Muldoon Community Assembly served as Carol's home church for 47 years. She loved the church family and made many loving friends. Her compassionate heart led her to volunteer as facilitator for MCA's Grief Share program.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Iva Oskolkoff; and siblings, David Oskolkoff, Lenora Shaffer, Robert Oskolkoff and Kenton Oskolkoff. She is survived by her husband, Howard Smith; children, Josef Smith, Benjamin Smith, Katherine Hanson, Wilson Smith and Gregory Smith; grandchildren, Naomi and Ivy Hanson; and siblings, Beverly Oskolkoff, Selma Simon, Melanya Berg and Masha Hughton.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more … crying or pain." Revelation 22:3-5 NIV