Alaska School Yearbooks by County
Annabelle Mansfield
Juneau resident Annabelle Lee Mansfield (Poe), 77, died from lung cancer on Nov. 23, 2005, in Juneau. There will be a memorial Mass at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29 at the Cathedral of the Nativity, with a reception following in the church hall.
She was born March 2, 1928, in Lima, Mont. She attended school at Idaho Falls. Since 1950, she was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi, a national friendship organization. A Juneau resident since 1948, she worked as a bookkeeper for the state of Alaska in the department of highways. She moved to Juneau from California and met and married Raymond Mansfield, who on June 18, 1950, preceded her in death.
She was also preceded in death by her father, Robert Lee Poe, and mother, Nathalie Marie Mckee-Poe.
She is survived by her daughter, Brook Marie Mansfield of Juneau; son and his spouse, Raymond Rex Mansfield and Jaquilyn Marie Mansfield of Juneau; grandson, Stanley James Lee of Juneau; and granddaughter, Wendi Lynn Lee of Olympia, Wash.
For the memorial Mass, pallbearers will be Gene Johnson, Michael Johnson, Robert Johnson and Gordon Goodson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Swedish Hospital in Seattle, Wash., specifically for lung cancer research.
John Brantner
Former Juneau resident John Brantner, 97, died Oct. 5, 2005, at his Green Lake home in Seattle, in the care of his family.
Born on an Oregon homestead on April 5, 1908, he was an athlete in high school. He graduated from Oregon State College (now Oregon State University) in 1940. Employed by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, he was posted to Alaska, where he met his future wife, Ruby, in Wrangell. She had recently arrived from South Dakota to teach school. During World War II, Brantner served with the U.S. Coast Guard operating a cutter in Icy Strait, eventually retiring from the Coast Guard Reserve as a commander in 1967. His professional career with the INS ended with his retirement in 1970 at the rank of inspector.
The Brantners lived in Juneau during the 1940s and '50s, where John worked with the Rev. Walter Soboleff to clean logs used in building the original Chapel by the Lake. He and Ruby were also founding members of the Resurrection Lutheran Church in Juneau. Moving to Seattle in 1955, the Brantners were also founding members of the St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Shoreline. They were married for 62 years.
Family members said, "John Brantner was an avid fly fisherman, consummate outdoorsman, Boy Scout leader and devoted gardener of roses. He is remembered especially for his affectionate good humor and wonderfully quick wit."
He was preceded in death by his parents and nine siblings.
He is survived by his wife, Ruby; daughter, Betty Johanna (Ronni Gilboa) of Seattle; sons, Tom (Katherine Ulrich) of Martha's Lake, Wash., and Steve (Marijo) of Juneau; grandchildren, John and Maren Brantner of Juneau; numerous nieces and nephews; and many good friends.
A Memorial Service was held on Oct. 9, 2005, at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church. The family may be contacted at 7735 NE Second Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98115.
Jack Rowan Kelm
Former Juneau resident Jack Rowan Kelm, 77, died Nov. 3, 2005, at his Beach Road home in Haines of a suspected heart attack.
He was born Jan. 31, 1928, in Pittsburg. He first moved to the Chilkat Valley about 35 years ago as a social worker and special education teacher for the Haines school.
According to his wife of 30 years, Diana, he used a corner of the school library for students with behavioral or learning problems. He also reached out to students in creative ways.
He was proud of his military service, enlisting in the Army shortly after high school and helping in early mop-up and rebuilding efforts in Japan at the end of World War II.
Back in the states, he was active in the American Legion and volunteered as a post finance officer.
He spent his early professional career in the Midwest and later worked in Juneau, where he was active in the political scene. A one-time assembly candidate, he often campaigned for others.
The Kelms moved back to Haines from Juneau in 1999. He tackled much of the work renovating their new home and was undeterred by the cabin's lack of plumbing or electricity.
He enjoyed cooking, chess and conversation. Shortly after moving to Haines, he helped bring the local chess club online so members could compare game results and standings. He also worked as a tour guide, offering tales of the Chilkat Valley to visitors.
He is survived by his wife; children, Eric, Debby, Kathy, Paul and Christine; four grandchildren; and faithful German shepherd, Caleb. He was buried Nov. 8, 2005, at Jones Point Cemetery.
Joseph Demmert Jr.
Lifelong Alaskan Joseph Demmert Jr., 79, died Nov. 28, 2005, at Ketchikan General Hospital after a prolonged battle with cancer.
He was born in Klawock on Oct. 3, 1926, to Joseph and Isabelle Roberts Demmert. He was a member of the Teeyeeneidi (Dog Salmon/Raven) clan of Tuxekan. His father was Yanyeidi from Shakan.
Because he loved the sea and boats as a young boy, he was often called "Capt. John." As a young man, he trolled and purse seined with his father. After graduating from Sheldon Jackson High School in 1944, he served in the Merchant Marines and the U.S. Army. After service, he returned to purse seining, first as captain of the Joanna, then the Corrine and finally the Lovey Joann. For the rest of his life, he was a salmon and herring purse seiner and halibut longliner.
Family members said, "Joe loved his boats and always gave them the greatest of care. ... Mr. Demmert will long be remembered by those who knew him for his low-key thoughtfulness, leadership and generosity."
He served on the Alaska Board of Fish and Game, including several terms as chairman, before separate boards were created. He then acted as chairman of the Fisheries Board. He also served on the North Pacific Fisheries Council and was widely respected for his study and extensive knowledge of fisheries. He was a lifetime member of the Alaska Native Brotherhood, served on the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indians and was a longstanding member of the Sealaska Board of Directors and Sealaska Timber Corp. Board of Directors.
He married Dorothy Edenso, and they raised six children, Ramona, Joseph Ron, Suzanne, Lovey, Craig and Dorene. After the death of their daughter, Ramona Demmert DeWitt, the Demmerts raised her son, Jerry. In 2001, Joe and Dorothy celebrated 50 years together.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Isabelle; daughter, Ramona; wife, Dorothy; brothers, Franklin, Harvey and Robert "Benny;" and sisters, Dolly Jensen and Joanna Demmert.
He is survived by his children, Joseph Ron, Lovey (Scott) Keele, Suzanne (Ed) Waldrop, Craig Demmert, Dorene Demmert and Jerry Demmert; brothers, Dennis and George; sister, Mrs. Gordon (Rachel) James; fiancé, Helen Leask; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces.
A memorial service was held at the Ted Ferry Civic Center in Ketchikan on Nov. 30. Funeral services were held at the Ted Ferry Civic Center on Dec. 1, with interment at Bayview Cemetery and a luncheon and celebration of his life following the cemetery services.
Frances Joy Geerhart
Former Douglas resident Frances Joy (Dawson) Geerhart, 58, died Nov. 18, 2005, with her family by her side at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, Wash.
She was born to Thomas and Bertha Dawson on July 7, 1947, in Seattle, the fifth of seven children. In 1949, the Dawson family moved to Douglas. She attended the Mayflower School. In 1959, the Dawson family moved from Douglas to Kirkland, Wash. She graduated from Lake Washington Senior High.
She became a cook and worked for many years alongside her mother at Frosty's Cafe in Juanita. She enjoyed reading mystery books, watching butterflies and growing flowers, especially roses.
She is survived by her brothers, Pat Moore of Elephant Butte, N.M., Jim Dawson (Renee) of Renton, Wash., Tommy Dawson of Juneau, and Kevin Dawson of Tacoma, Wash.; her sisters, Serene (Russ) Randall of Kirkland and Beverley (Carson) Knight of Camas, Wash.
A private family memorial service will be held. Remembrances may be made to the Overlake Hospital Cancer Center in Bellevue, Wash., or the charity of choice.
