Jean Anderson

Jul 2, 1941 -

Oct 10, 2026

In Loving Memory of Jean Anne Anderson

Jean Anderson, 85, passed away peacefully in Anchorage, Alaska, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born in Vietnam, she came to the United States as a young woman, bringing with her remarkable resilience, creativity, and determination.

She was a woman of extraordinary talents. An accomplished floral designer, award-winning ceramic artist, gifted seamstress, and passionate gardener, she approached everything she did with care and artistry. She made beautiful clothing for herself and her family, grew prize-winning produce, and had a gift for making ordinary things extraordinary.

Above all, family was her greatest love. No sacrifice was too large. She expressed her devotion through countless acts of service, lovingly prepared meals, and birthdays she never forgot. Her spring rolls became a treasured family tradition, lovingly perfected by her daughters.

She possessed a wonderful sense of humor, a strong moral compass, and just enough stubbornness to make sure everyone knew where she stood.

Her advice was simple and enduring: "Go make something. Be creative." And, "Go make it a good day. No matter what happens, you make it a good day."

She is survived by her husband, John Aaron Anderson; daughters Juliet Anne Postlewaite and Jane Anne Stagg; son-in-law Robert Stagg; and grandchildren Zachary, Abby, Hannah, Jacqueline, Jonathan, Aaron, and Oliver. She was preceded in death by her beloved son.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at Maple Springs Assisted Living and Ancora Hospice for their compassionate care.

Her legacy lives on in the beautiful things she created, the traditions she began, and the family she loved so completely.

Keith Kenneth Appel

May 21, 1934 -

Sep 18, 2026

Born to Leon and Leona Appel on May 21, 1934, Keith Kenneth Appel grew up and attended public schools in Mankato, Minn. He was active in Boy Scouts and was free to roam the woods and waterways of Minnesota with his slingshot and pocket full of pebbles. He delivered newspapers to as many as 100 customers, finding a baby buggy worked better than a bicycle.

Keith's father taught him to hunt and fish and admitted that he may have overdone it. His father bought him a toy bow and arrow set, which led to a lifelong bowhunting passion. He hunted with a bow well into his 80s, mainly in Alaska and Africa. He was always happy to be in the wild, especially if it was a wet, cold duck blind and his dog was along to share the adventure. He was a storyteller and shared his adventures by writing a book and articles for various outdoor publications. He was active in the Alaskan Bowhunters Association and proud to be a lifetime member.

Graduating college with a biology degree he volunteered for the U.S. Army and spent time in Korea, after which he returned to college to earn a master's degree in art education. Keith and Darlene McCormick were married in 1960 and decided to check out Alaska. Their daughters Beth and Mary were born and raised in Anchorage.

Keith began his career as an art educator teaching at the new Wendler Middle School. He was awarded a sabbatical to study at Ohio State University and then became Art Consultant for the Anchorage district. He would later teach at East High School and the University of Alaska Anchorage, where he served as chairman of the Art Department. He was responsible for the campus beautification project and the cadre of volunteers, called the Appel Corps.

After retiring from teaching, he entered artwork in many statewide competitions for Art in Public Places. His art has been installed around the state, and he was proud to have a piece purchased by the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery. He worked as a painter, printmaker, sculptor, muralist and ceramist. He liked to experiment with new forms of expression and ventured into areas that demanded a great deal of creative problem solving, such as using computer controlled lights in his outdoor sculptures. He was grateful for the advice of others who helped him over the hurdles. He said he didn't make art—he made stuff. His artwork was exhibited in many galleries and at the Anchorage Museum. Keith's public art commissions can be seen in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and other Alaska locations.

Keith served on the boards of many art organizations and was awarded for his public service, as well as his art. He will be remembered as a good-natured, optimistic, nurturing person who always looked for the best in others.

He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his students. He loved dogs. He loved his life in Alaska. As Robert Service wrote: "O God! How I'm stuck on it all." The family spent many summers at the old Fox Farm in Bear Cove. They enjoyed the glory days of Katchemak Bay when King crab, shrimp and halibut were abundant.

Keith is survived by his wife of 66 years, Darlene; daughters, Mary Appel and Beth Appelsmith; son-in-law, Jacob; and granddaughter, Violet, all of Sacramento, Calif. His sister Barbara Owens and her children and their families live in the Mankato area. Keith died in Sacramento on Sept. 18, 2026, while visiting family. A memorial service will be held in Anchorage in summer 2027.

In lieu of flowers, please consider charities such as Special Olympics, Disabled Veterans and the American Red Cross.

Thank you to Phil Pringle for the photograph.

Dr. Raghibir "Raj" S. Basi

May 6, 2026

Dr. Raghbir (Raj) S. Basi, 96, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2025, surrounded by his family. A service to celebrate his life took place in Napa, Calif. on May 20, 2025. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and mentor, and his presence is deeply missed.

Raj's personable and engaging personality touched all who knew him, and his deep commitment to serving others defined his work and life. Endlessly curious, he embraced life with an open mind, and his warmth gave him a genuine ability to connect with people from all walks of life. An optimist by nature, he enjoyed engaging with interesting ideas, particularly those that might improve the lives and dignity of others.

Raj arrived in Alaska to establish Alaska Pacific University (APU) in 1978, first as Executive Dean, and then as the founding Provost of the newly created institution, where he was later appointed Chair, Glenn and Eva Olds Professor of International Understanding, and awarded Emeritus status. His areas of focus included economic development, international trade and finance, and organizational administration. He was an active member of the Alaska World Affairs Council, served as Managing Director of the Anchorage World Trade Center (1986-87), and as President of the Board of Directors of Chugach Electric Corporation (1987-88).

Prior to his time in Alaska, Raj was a Professor at Kent State University, where he was the Founder/Director of the Center for Peaceful Change, established as a living memorial for the students who lost their lives during the anti-war protests on May 4, 1970. He also served as a Consultant to the Planning Commission of India in 1963, and from 1967 to 1970 on behalf of the Ford Foundation as Senior Economic Advisor to the Government of Saudi Arabia. In 1999, Raj took early retirement from APU, and applying the principles of his experience and ethos, established the Village Life Improvement Foundation (VLIF) in India, pioneering a holistic model of stakeholder-led rural development. As a complimentary initiative, Raj subsequently established an entrepreneurship center at SGGS College, Mahilpur, to transform traditional village societies into entrepreneurial economies, building upon and extending the work of VLIF for greater collective impact.

Raj was educated at Panjab University (F.A.) in India, the University of British Columbia (B.A.-Honours; B.S.W.) in Canada, and Harvard (M.P.A.) and Cornell (Ph.D.) Universities in the United States. Raj authored several publications including his latest book, Contextual Management: A Global Perspective. He is survived by his beloved wife of over 60 years, Brij; their children; grandchildren; and many loved ones.

Edwin Stetson Clarke

Sep 21, 1939 -

Sep 29, 2026

Edwin Stetson Clarke, 87, a longtime resident of Framingham, Mass., died on Sept. 29, 2026, the beloved husband of Jane L. (Anderson) Clarke.

Family and friends are invited to honor and remember Ed's life by gathering for his Celebration of Life held on Friday afternoon, Oct. 16, 2026, in the Scott Hall of the First Parish in Framingham United Universalist Church, 24 Vernon St. Framingham, from 12-3 p.m. Interment will be private.

For a complete obituary, kindly visit www.mccarthyfh.com.

Michael Steven Conner

Oct 30, 1958 -

Sep 14, 2026

Michael Conner passed away at home on Sept. 14, 2026, after a brief illness. Born and raised in Anchorage, Michael was a passionate Alaskan and was a proud West High graduate, class of 1976. Michael loved all things mechanical and attended A&P school at Northrup University in Los Angeles. After school came a brief stint living in Kenai and ski bumming in Colorado. (He loved to talk about "the cannabus", a combination of school bus and camper that he and his brothers built, then Michael lived in in Colorado for a few winters.) Michael had a 28 year career at FedEx as a mechanic. Many of the years he worked at FedEx, he commuted to work via bicycle. After retirement from FedEx in 2014, Mike's nickname changed from FedEx Mike to Muni Mike. Michael had a second career working for Anchorage Parks and Recreation. He loved running the city snow machines, grooming ski trail, grooming the ice on Westchester Lagoon and driving the snow plows. He also was a mentor to many young people starting their careers at the Parks Dept. Mike was a generous human that did not know a stranger. Later years of his life he spent a lot of time riding his motorcycle- he put 20,000 plus miles on his bike last year. Michael was preceded in death by his mom Judy Conner, his father Larry Conner, and step mother Kathy Conner. He is survived by his brother, Daniel Conner; sister-in-law, Lisa Conner; brother, James Conner; nephews and nieces, Casey Conner, Aaron Conner, Allyson Conner, Breann Graves, Amanda Staser, Kody Conner, Austin Conner; 6 grandnieces and nephews, and too many friends to mention.

Corey Alan Dana

Sep 10, 1981 -

Sep 19, 2026

We are heartbroken to announce that Corey Alan Dana of Chugiak passed away in Anchorage on Sept. 19, 2026, after a brave battle with kidney disease. He had just turned 45.

He arrived one minute before his twin brother Geoffrey on Sept. 10, 1981. The twins remained inseparable throughout their lives. Geoffrey's unexpected death in 2025 devastated us all, but Corey lost his first and best friend. He attended Chugiak High School, and later completed Seward AVTEC and worked in a number of industries. Corey was a gentle giant with an unusually kind and sunny disposition, and usually could be found telling an amusing story with a dog or cat in his lap, or happily discussing game strategy with his niece and nephews.

He is survived by his parents, Beta (Dan) and George (Lisa); brother, Kevin; his paternal grandparents; his maternal grandmother; and his aunts, uncle, niece, nephews and cousin. He was preceded in death by his twin Geoff in 2025. Both of them left us much too soon, and words cannot adequately express how much they are missed. A joint celebration of life will be held on Oct. 24, 2026 at 2 p.m. in the IBEW hall in Anchorage 3333 Denali Street Anchorage, Alaska

Nancy Louise Olson

Mar 27, 1950 -

Oct 3, 2026

Nancy Louise Olson passed away on Oct. 3, 2026, peacefully in her sleep. Nancy was born on March 27, 1950, and raised in Thief River Falls, Minnesota by Wendell and Aileen Olson. She attended elementary and high school in Thief River Falls before going to the University of Minnesota in 1968, graduating with a degree in Home Economics. She then attained an additional degree in Education. She also completed a Master's Program in Special Education. She enjoyed many years with her parents at their cabin on Lake of the Woods in Canada. Her time fishing and water-skiing was the highlight of her younger years.

Nancy moved to Southern California for a short time before following a friend to Anchorage, Alaska in 1984, looking for a new adventure. She met Ron Gerling shortly after arriving in Alaska (deceased 2015) with whom she shared her life, marrying in 2005, deeply enjoying the outdoors with her husband and pets. Nancy loved spending time gardening, riding horses, walking the numerous trails near their property and traveling. Nancy worked for Allen and Peterson for a short time before starting her teaching career with the Anchorage School District.

She enjoyed her church fellowship at Joy Lutheran Church in Eagle River and singing in the choir.

Nancy is survived by her brother, Larry Olson of Upland California; her nephew, Matthew Gerling of Eagle River, Alaska; and her Niece, Kristin Gerling Ashby of Prineville, Oregon.

A celebration of life will be held at Joy Lutheran Church in Eagle River Alaska on Oct. 22, 2026. 2 p.m. with refreshments to follow, 10111 E. Eagle River Loop Rd Eagle

Keoki Roy Kanekaha'akai Tafaoialii

Jan 2, 1987 -

Oct 7, 2026

Soldotna resident Mr. Keoki Roy Kanekaha'akai Tafaoialii, 39, passed away Oct. 7, 2026, in Soldotna, Alaska.

Keoki was born Jan. 2, 1987, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He moved to Alaska in 1993 and also lived in Palmer and Anchorage. He enjoyed movies, music, and video games.

His family shared: "It is with broken hearts that we share the passing of our beloved son, Keoki. We find comfort in remembering his love, laughter, and the simple joys he cherished: family, good meals, meaningful conversations, music, cooking, movies, and video games. Though we wish we had more time together, we are forever grateful for the life we shared. He will always be our son, our brother, and he'll always be with us. We'll miss him beyond words and love him forever. Rest peacefully, our sweet boy. You were loved more than you could ever know. We love you."

Keoki is survived by his mother, Florence Tafaoialii, of Wasilla, Alaska; sister, Camille Tafaoialii, of Palmer, Alaska; and stepfather, Raymond Kosek, of Wasilla, Alaska.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations in Keoki's memory to either the Freedom House or Invicta house - please see information below:

Freedom House - please mail cash or checks to 185 Shady Lane, Soldotna, AK, 99669 or online donations at Freedomhouse907.com

Americans Allied Against Addiction Invicta House - please mail cash or checks to 33650 Scotch Run St, N Soldotna, AK 99669 or online donations at americansalliedagainstaddiction.com