Gesena M. Galetti
Mar 12, 1934 -
Jul 6, 2026
Gesena Mathilda Galetti, 92, passed away surrounded by loved ones on July 6, 2026, in Soldotna, Alaska. She was born in Chanute, Kan., on May 12, 1934, to Theresa (Wolken) and Bernard Korphage. She lived a long and exciting life.
She attended St. Patrick Catholic School in Chanute and graduated high school at St. Mary's in Pittsburg, Kan., in 1952. She attended nursing school in Pittsburg, graduating in 1955. In September 1958, she moved to California with her sister Mathilda, where they worked as RNs. There she met the love of her life, Walter Galetti.
Gesena married Walt in St. Patrick Catholic Church on Oct. 31, 1959. After a California visit to Walt's family, they moved to Anchorage, Alaska. Walt worked for the State of Alaska and Gesena at Providence Hospital. As a nurse, her favorite was caring for the babies.
Gesena learned to fly in the early 60s. She and her husband Walt had many wonderful adventures flying their Super Cub throughout Alaska. They loved hunting and fishing and visiting their friends in the bush.
In the early '80s they both retired and built their dream home on the Moose River in Sterling, Alaska, at their old hunting camp. Gesena was an avid gardener and a wonderful cook. She loved living the quiet life on the Moose River, enjoying its everchanging natural beauty and active wildlife. She kept track of nesting swans and inland birds, and the occasional visits from passing moose, caribou, lynx and bears. They enjoyed entertaining, showing their state to visitors and traveling to Switzerland to visit cousins.
Throughout her life, she loved people of all ages, and they loved her. Her sparkling eyes, her friendly smile, her ready laugh complimented her hospitality and her love. She was a devoted wife for 64 years, a faithful Catholic and a 65-year member of Catholic Daughters of America. After Walt's passing, she moved to Soldotna and became more involved in parish life.
Gesena was an active parishioner at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Parish in Soldotna. Her parish family loved and cared deeply for her, and she will be missed immensely by everyone who knew her.
Many relatives and friends have gone before her, including her parents; loving husband, Walter; sisters, Julia Massoth and Sr Wilma Korphage; and brothers, John and Edward Korphage.
She is survived by sisters, Matilda Pugliesi, Sr. Bertina Korphage; several cousins, nieces and nephews; and her "Alaska family" too numerous to mention by name.
Services will be held on July 13, 2026, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 129 North Fireweed Street in Soldotna. Rosary at 10:30 a.m., funeral mass at 11 a.m., with reception immediately following at Fireweed Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial fund will be set up in her name at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church Soldotna to fund accessible handicapped doors for the parish.
