Loretta J. Throop

Jul 5, 1943 -

Oct 31, 2023

Anchorage, Alaska, resident Mrs. Loretta J. Throop, 80, passed away from natural causes on Oct. 31, 2023, at her home. She was born in Ninilchik and grew up in Ninilchik and Kenai, Alaska. A fifth-generation Alaskan, Loretta is a descendant of the original Kvasnikoff and Oskolkoff families of Ninilchik. Loretta loved returning to her summer house atop a tall hill in Ninilchik, overlooking the village, and would often say that she "wanted to go to the beach, sit on a log and build a fire."

After graduating high school, Loretta went to college in Oregon and California and received a bachelor's degree in nursing. Afterwards, she became part of the movement to develop culturally-appropriate health service delivery solutions where barriers had previously existed. She joined the Alaska Native Health Board and for most of the '70s, served as the director of the American Indian Nurses Association. She also served as a Public Health Service nurse and Community Health Aide instructor in Anchorage. Based on her experience and expertise as an instructor, she was asked to serve as a member of the committee that prepared the first Community Health Aide manual - a historic accomplishment for all Alaskans statewide.

Loretta is survived by her daughter, Darby Freeman (Paul); sister, Judy Belcher (Don); brother, Greg Encelewski (Karen); brother, Grant Encelewski (Jonna); and uncle, Arnold Oskolkoff (Bobbie).

Loretta was preceded in death by husband, Tom Throop; brother, Larry Oskolkoff; sister, Sharon Culhane; brother, Eric Encelewski; and sister, Linda Henrikson.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, at 1 p.m., at the Holy Transfiguration of our Lord Church in Ninilchik. Burial will follow at the American Legion Cemetery, next to her beloved husband.