Leola Gomsrude Froembgen
Jun 20, 1930 -
Feb 18, 2026
Leola was born on June 20, 1930, in St. Lawrence, S.D., to Wava and Oliver Gomsrude. She was raised in the Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Wash., area, where she met Ray Froembgen. They married on March 16, 1951, and were married 55 years prior to his passing.
Leola and Ray arrived in Anchorage, Alaska, in 1953, driving a truck for her parents, but returned to Orting, Wash., in 1955. In 1956, they headed back to Alaska to stay.
Ray worked construction for the State of Alaska for 25 years, and they built their own home, occupying the corner of Lake Otis and Dowling, prior to the road widening, where they delighted the Lake Otis traffic with their beautiful display of Christmas decorations and lighted trees!
Leola was a stay-at-home mom, and in addition to raising their own children, lovingly cared for over 20 foster children.
Leola and Ray enjoyed traveling to Japan, Europe and the East Coast. They also enjoyed motor home traveling and drove the Alaska Highway 22 times. They regularly attended Anchorage Lutheran Church where they were greeters for many years. Leola enjoyed decorating her lovely home for Christmas, and warmly welcomed friends and family to her home on holidays and special occasions with her home cooking and freshly baked goods.
Leola was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ray; mother and stepfather, Wava and Dean Morris; father, Oliver; infant daughter, Debra; daughter, Kelly; son-in-law, Daniel; and grandson, Alex.
Leola is survived by her son, Jay; grandsons, Bowen and Nathan Myers; great-grandchildren, Mason, Lauren, Cameron and Avery; former son-in-law, Kurtis McDowell; as well as other relatives and wonderful friends who felt like family.
Services for Leola will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, on what would have been her 96th birthday, at Anchorage Lutheran Church, 1420 N Street in Anchorage, at 1 p.m. Live streaming will be available at www.youtube.com/@anchoragelutheranchurch; www.facebook.com/AnchorageLutheranChurch; or https://anchoragelutheran.org/.
