Genevieve "Jean" Patricia Armstrong

Aug 18, 1922 -

Jun 26, 2026

Genevieve Patricia "Jean" Armstrong passed away peacefully on June 26, 2026, at the age of 103, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on Aug. 18, 1922, in New Carlisle, Indi., she grew up on Chicago's South Side during the Great Depression.

A gifted athlete, she was recruited to play professional women's Chicago softball team as pitcher before pursuing her lifelong love of travel. She raised five children alone with resilience and grace, eventually building a successful travel agency business in the Chicago area.

Her adventurous spirit carried her across the world, from living in Italy and traveling to Hong Kong, to Africa, the Caribbean, many other destinations, ultimately landing in Alaska.

At age 80, She welcomed guests with warmth and homemade breakfasts at her beloved Talkeetna bed-and-breakfast, where no one ever left hungry.

Known for her generosity, independence and boundless curiosity, she touched countless lives with kindness and encouragement.

She is survived by her five children, Gale, Scott, Laura, Jeff and Andrea; along with seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Genevieve's remarkable life reminds us that courage, compassion, resilience and a spirit of adventure are among life's greatest legacies.

Margaret Cooperrider

Oct 12, 1935 -

Jul 13, 2026

Margaret Ellen Cooperrider, age 90, of Anchorage, Alaska, went home to be with Jesus on July 13, 2026, leaving behind a legacy dedicated to family and joy.

Margaret enjoyed creating with her hands and loved making handcrafted keepsakes to share. From clothes for her children to award winning Alaska sweaters, to intricate crocheted doilies, Afghans, shawls and beautifully knit items. Later in life, she took up making wonderful bracelets to share with loved ones, residents of her assisted living home and caregivers.

She loved participating in various activities at the senior living home. If Margaret was in the room, everyone knew she was there. Her laughter was contagious.

Married to an Air Force Staff Sargent, Margaret traveled extensively throughout the states and, eventually, to Alaska. On one of those trips, Margaret prayed and accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. Since that time, she maintained her steadfast love for Him and, when able, she loved fellowshipping with Christian family at Maranatha Baptist Church.

Gathering with family, she loved telling stories and enjoying their company. She loved and took great pride in all her descendants.

Margaret was born at home on Oct. 12, 1935, in Zanesville, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 55 years, Robert Sr., "Coop"; parents, Thomas and Fanchion Wiseman; siblings, Donna, Ed and Jim, all of Ohio; and great-granddaughter, Mikayla Schulman of Anchorage. She is survived by her older sibling, Bob of Ohio; daughter, Twyla (Tom) Schulman of Palmer, Alaska; and son, Robert Jr. of Anchorage. Margaret also has three grandchildren,: Ben (Anna) Schulman of Anchorage, Crystal (Jason) Reem of Palmer and Justin Schulman of Redmond, Ore. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Madisyn and Michael Reem and Emma and Shiloh Schulman; NS two great-great-grandchildren, Lucy and Violet Reem.

A celebration of life will be held at Maranatha Baptist Church in Anchorage on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, at 11 a.m., followed by a potluck afterwards. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery, where she will be buried alongside her husband.

Psalm 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."

Mary Ann "Andy" Dunham

Jan 20, 1928 -

Feb 23, 2026

Alaska artist and teacher Mary Ann "Andy" Dunham died in Anchorage, Alaska, on Feb. 23, 2026. She was born in Houston, Texas, on Jan. 20, 1928, to author Julian and Myrtle Sherrod. She attended North Texas Agricultural College, in Arlington, Texas, then Sam Houston State Teachers College, in Huntsville, from which she graduated with major in art in 1949. There she met her future husband, Jack Dunham, with whom she moved to Pampa, Texas. There she taught at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School. In 1955, the couple moved to Alaska as teachers with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Along with their two children, they lived in Quinhagak, Mountain Village and Togiak, where she sketched and painted a number of portraits of local residents.

In the 1960s Andy taught elementary school in Colorado Springs, Estes Park and Evergreen, Colo., and in Homer and Haines, Alaska. In November 1967, the family moved to Anchorage, where she lived for the rest of her life. She taught at several area schools, receiving the Elmendorf "Teacher of the Year" award and helping to start the Anchorage School District's Gifted Program. She earned a master's degree in education from the University of Alaska Anchorage and retired in 1980.

In retirement she dedicated herself to art, creating paintings, clay sculptures and pottery, mixed media and art using paper she hand-made at her recreational cabin in Seldovia. Throughout the 1970s and '80s her work was regularly included and won awards in statewide exhibitions, including The All Alaska Juried Art Show; Earth, Fire, Fibre; and the Alaska Juried Watercolor Show. One honorable mention, a stoneware teapot, was purchased by the Anchorage Museum. She was the juror for the 1987 Kenai Peninsula Clay exhibition and operated her own art gallery, The Odd Corner. She produced over 100 volumes of journals chronicling her daily activities and travels with thousands of illustrations, and continued to journal and paint until the last few weeks of her life.

Andy was predeceased by her parents; beloved stepfather, Lilbourn Lewis; sister, Jeanne; husband, Jack; daughter, Molly; and the great love of her life, Donald Graves. She is survived by her son, Michael; ad daughter-in-law, Evelyn; grandsons, Samuel and Benjamin and their spouses, Chelsea and Brook; and two great-granddaughters, Lily and Violet — all of Anchorage. Her artwork is on display at Georgia Blue Gallery.

Following her wishes there will be no service. Sentiments or recollections may be sent to P.O. Box 220152, Anchorage, AK 99522.

Sharon Frost

Oct 3, 1938 -

Jul 17, 2026

Longtime Alaska resident Sharon Theresa Karella Frost passed away on July 17, 2026.

Sharon was born in Norfolk, Neb., on Oct. 3, 1938, to Ambrose J. Karella and Delora Lucy Holt Karella.

She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Norfolk in 1956. Shortly thereafter she married the love of her life Bill Frost, and they moved to Sargent, Neb., where Bill worked.

Sharon and Bill just celebrated their 70th anniversary.

She is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, Bill; brother, Pete; sister, Millie; children, Steve (Heidi), Mike (Debbie), Tami (Andy) and Patty (Mark); grandchildren, Andrew, Seth, Desirae, Beau, Kirk, James, Shawn, Ashley, Kayla, Sarah, Christopher, David and Michael; as well as several great-grandchildren and numerous other family members.

Sharon is preceded in death by her parents, Ambrose J. Karella and Delora Lucy Holt Karella; siblings, Andy, Charlie, Lloyd, Florence and Marcella; daughter, Theresa; and great-granddaughter, Ashley and Penelope.

There will be a visitation on July 31, 2026, from 4-7 p.m., at Legacy Funeral Home in Wasilla, Alaska, and a funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 1, 2026, at Sacred Heart Church in Wasilla.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Resource Alaska Wasilla office and the American Cancer Society.

For a full obituary, please see Legacy's website: https://www.legacyalaska.com/obituaries/Sharon-Theresa-Frost-Nee-Karella?obId=49074541.

Anne Gardner

Sep 19, 1939 -

Mar 16, 2026

In Loving Memory of Anne Teresa Gardner

Anne Teresa Gardner passed away peacefully at home on March 16, 2026, at the age of 86.

Anne was born in Dublin, Ireland, on Sept. 19, 1939, to James and Mary Dunne. Anne came to the United States in 1962. She married George Gardner in Washington, D.C., in 1967. Together they moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1968 before making Anchorage, Alaska, their home in 1982.

Anne loved a good laugh, a competitive game of golf and spending time with friends and family.

Anne will be remembered for her quick wit, her Irish "gift of the gab" and her spirit for adventure. She will be missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her son, Jason Gardner and wife, Felicia Gardner of Kailua, Hawaii; daughter, Jennifer Gardner of Anchorage; grandchildren, Daniel Gardner of El Paso, Texas, and Elizabeth Gardner of Kailua; and great-grandchildren, Nolan Gardner and Alexander Gardner, both of Texas.

Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 4 p.m., at O'Malley's On the Green, Denali Room.

Family and friends are invited to join us as we celebrate Anne's life, share memories and honor the love and joy she brought to all who knew her.

James "Jim" Jay Jordan

Jun 12, 1947 -

Jun 14, 2026

James "Jim" Jay Jordan, 79, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2026, at Brookdale Oro Valley, Ariz. Jim and his wife Karen lived many years in Anchorage, Alaska, and after retiring spent their winters in Arizona. Jim will be deeply missed by all who knew him, and his memory will live on long in the hearts of family and friends.

He suffered from Alzheimer's, congestive heart failure and a-fib during his final year, but previously lived a full, fun life, even visiting Japan in March 2025. Jim was the most kind and loving person who valued his family and wonderful friends who were scattered all over the world.

There will be a Celebration of Jim's Life on July 30, 2026, at the Anchorage Golf Course. In fall 2026, there will be other gatherings to remember Jim in Minnesota and Arizona. Contact the family for details.

Jim grew up in Hibbing, Minn., playing baseball and other sports. He attended Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., where he was a pitcher on the baseball team; that is also where he met and, in 1969, married his wife Karen Jordan. He graduated with a degree in economics and went on to work in the Actuarial Department for Mutual Service Insurance Company in St. Paul.

In 1979, Jim and Karen decided to move to Alaska after visiting Jim's uncle Rod who had homesteaded there in the 1950s. They drove to Alaska camping along the way, with all of their worldly goods in the back of their truck. Jim went to work for the Division of Insurance for the State of Alaska, eventually becoming Director. After leaving the Division of Insurance, Jim ran a successful insurance consulting practice in Alaska.

In 1996, Jim joined the Alaska State Medical Association (ASMA) as Executive Director and worked there until his retirement in 2012. He served on many American Medical Association (AMA) committees, including chairing the AMA Litigation Center focused on supporting medical associations around the country in fighting for physician's rights. He also served on the boards of the Alaska Electronic Health Record Alliance, and he developed the coalition of Alaskans for Access to Health Care. During his time with ASMA, Jim served as a board member of the Medical Indemnity Exchange of California, which became the leading medical malpractice carrier in Alaska. In 2012, he was awarded the American Medical Association Medical Executive Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jim loved alpine ski racing with the Alyeska Masters Ski Club, golfing, fishing, pheasant hunting, reading and traveling. Jim and Karen enjoyed going to their wilderness cabin north of Talkeetna on the Alaska Railroad and their "fishing" cabin near Ninilchik, Alaska. They had many wonderful years traveling the world and having adventure vacations with friends, such as cross-country skiing across Denali National Park, rafting down the Grand Canyon and several years skiing in St. Anton, Austria. Jim also served on the Friends of Library Board and the Alyeska Ski Club Board.

Jim is preceded in death by his father and mother, Ted and Marilyn Jordan; and younger brother, Michael "Mike" Jordan. He is survived by his wife, Karen Jordan; brother, Jay Jordan (Vicky); sisters-in-law, Therese Jordan, Ann McCarthy and Mary McCarthy; nephews, Jeremy Jordan (Paula), Jim Jordan and Brandon Jordan; niece, Jola Zeller; grand-nieces, Gigi Jordan and Kaya Gervino; and grand-nephew, Jayden Grushka-Hicks.

Memorial donations may be made in Jim's name to Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska or Alaska Public Media.

John Matich

Aug 14, 1952 -

Jul 17, 2026

John Eric Matich, 73, passed away on July 17, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Born on Aug. 14, 1952, in Auburn, Wash., to Raymond Matich and Mary Spurgeon, John proudly served in the United States Navy before founding North Star Scale Service. His work took him throughout Alaska, including Dutch Harbor, St. Paul, Akutan, Kodiak, Kenai and many other communities. Known for his intelligence and ingenuity, he often designed solutions when none existed. More importantly, his customers became lifelong friends, a reflection of the trust and respect he earned.

John's greatest passion was his faith in God. He faithfully read his Bible and spent many years leading Bible studies through prison ministry, sharing the hope and love of Christ with others.

John had a quiet steadiness that drew people to him. He wasn't the loudest person in the room, but he was the one people wanted to spend time with. Thoughtful, hardworking, generous and kind, he made others feel welcome simply by being himself. His family will remember lunches together, long drives, swimming across lakes, traveling with his beloved wife in their motor home and working alongside his son, Joseph.

John is survived by his loving wife, Youn Matich; children, Sophia Laney, Jessica Matich, Erica McConnell and Joseph Matich; grandchildren, Oscar Laney, Maisy McConnell and Maddy McConnell; and bother, Thomas Matich. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Kristina Basinger.

A celebration of John's life will be held on Aug. 6, 2026, at 11 a.m., at Anchorage Funeral Home, followed by private burial with military honors at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.

John's quiet faith, generous heart and steady presence will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Audrey McKenzie

Mar 24, 1940 -

Jul 19, 2026

Audrey (Boyce) McKenzie, born on March 24, 1940, in Williston, N.D., to Wayne and Violet Boyce, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2026, in Anchorage, Alaska.

Audrey grew up on a farm outside of Williston along the Missouri River. As a young girl, she hauled water from the well, helped prepare meals over a wood-burning stove and learned the value of hard work and family. She attended a one-room schoolhouse through the eighth grade before her family moved into the city of Williston, where she graduated from Williston High School. Audrey did not have running water or electricity until she was 17 years old, experiences that shaped her strength, resilience and appreciation for life's simple blessings.

Shortly after high school, Audrey met her future husband, Vern McKenzie, after he drove by and splashed her and her friends with muddy water from a puddle. It took Vern some time to make up for ruining her dress, but eventually his charm won her over, beginning a love story that would last a lifetime.

In 1972, Audrey and Vern moved from North Dakota to Alaska, where they built a life together and raised their family.

Throughout her life, Audrey worked in a variety of professions, including as a cashier at Tastee Freeze, a telephone switchboard operator and a real estate agent. However, her greatest and most cherished role was that of devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Audrey loved sewing, bowling, curling, cooking and bringing family and friends together. Sunday dinners were a treasured tradition in her home and were held faithfully every week. This tradition continues in her honor. Her love, kindness and generosity knew no bounds. She welcomed everyone with an open heart, caring not only for her own family, but also for her children's friends and grandchildren's friends, whom she treated as if they were her own.

Audrey is survived by her loving husband, Vern McKenzie; their four children, Rocky, Ricky, Rusty and Robby; six grandchildren, Shawn, Brad, Russell, Nicole, Dakota and Jada; two great-grandchildren, Bowie and Brooks; and siblings, Judy Barbot, Greg and Doug Boyce.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Violet Boyce; and brothers, Loren (Butch) and Garth Boyce.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m., on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at The Chalet at Fox Hollow, 11701 Brayton Drive, Anchorage, AK 99516.

Audrey's warmth, unwavering love and generous spirit will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

The family would like to thank Providence Hospital and Opus Memoria for the compassion and care they provided.

Jaren Jackson Villard

Sep 15, 1999 -

Jul 19, 2026

Jaren Jackson Villard, age 26, of Anchorage, AK passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 19, 2026 in Wasilla, AK.

Jaren was born on September 15, 1999, to Raymond and Joyce Villard in Anchorage, AK. He graduated from Benny Benson Alternative High School in 2018, where he was co-valedictorian of his class. Jaren was a gentle soul known for being soft-spoken with a kind heart and he found deep fulfillment in his role as a Direct Support Professional with the Arc of Anchorage.

The youngest of four children, playing sports was one of Jaren's favorite pastimes. While he enjoyed wrestling, basketball was his first love, and throughout his teenage years he could be found playing pick-up most nights at the YMCA. Growing up, he spent much of the summer months camping and jet skiing with his family at Finger Lake, where they made many fond memories together. He is greatly loved and profoundly missed.

Jaren was preceded in death by his mother, Joyce; and father, Raymond. He is survived by his siblings, Jonathon, Aimee and Riley (Tiare); grandmother, Sue; aunts, Mary Ann (Russ) Bright, Mickey (Al) Meyer and Janice Mihelich; nieces, Brooke, Emma and Truen; nephew, Tyson; and several cousins and second cousins that were very dear to him.

There will be a private viewing exclusively for close family, followed by a Celebration of Life held at 3:30 p.m. on August 1, 2026, at the home of his cousin, Lisa Whaley, 2250 Kently Court in Anchorage. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather to celebrate Jaren's life and share memories of him. Cards and flowers can be mailed to Mary Ann Bright, 7600 Creekside Center Drive #2, Anchorage, AK, 99504.