Alaska School Yearbooks by County
Zachary Warwick
Fairbanks resident Zachary Miller Warwick, 29, died July 8, 2006, in Fairbanks from an allergic reaction to bee stings.
He was born Nov. 17, 1976, in Fairbanks, where he spent his youth doing alpine skiing, baseball, water skiing, boating, snowmachining, motorcycling and Jet Skiing with his many close friends, sister and brother.
Family members said, "Choosing Fairbanks as 'home' was never a doubt in his mind, because he loved everything this state and community have to offer, particularly his lifelong friendships and family."
In his youth, he represented Alaska on the Junior Olympics Alpine Ski Team. Winter was consumed with downhill skiing and snowmachining. Summer months would find him playing for the Yankees in Little League Baseball and spending as much time as possible at Harding Lake, perfecting his water-skiing and Jet Skiing skills.
He attended Denali Elementary, Woodriver Elementary and Ryan Middle School, and he graduated from Lathrop in 1995. He went on to earn a business degree from Montana State University in Bozeman.
According to family, "The Alaska state legislative halls in Juneau were a home away from home during session of the three years Zach worked for state Sen. Gene Therriault."
At the time of his death, he was finishing up an accounting degree at University of Alaska Fairbanks, while working as an accountant at Warwick and Schikora CPAs.
"Always the perfect host - who wanted to make sure everyone had enough to eat, 'toys' had gas and were ready for guests to use - Zach will be terribly missed by so many friends and family, for these traits as well as for his intelligence, love and caring of others," said family members.
He is survived by his parents, Andy and Judy Warwick; brother, Andrew Jesse Warwick; sister, Sydney Morgan and her husband, Yuri; grandmother, Emma Miller Warwick; uncles and aunts, Randy and Cheryl Warwick, of North Pole, Miriam Warwick, of New York, Tricia and Erwin Benesi, of California, and Don and Jeanette Peters, of Montana; cousins, Jeremy and Philip Warwick, of North Pole, Leone and Gus Marx, of Juneau, Willow Stelzer-Rosello, of New York, Megan Stelzer, of New Hampshire, and Claire Mahoney, of California; dog, Boots; and the Riverview Crew.
A celebration of his life will be from 5 to 8 p.m. July 14 at the Warwick home, 3190 Riverview Drive in Fairbanks.
Charles Abbott Sr.
Juneau resident Charles Abbott Sr., K'ei xoots ki', 75, died July 7, 2006, in Anchorage, from failure to recover from hip surgery.
He was born Sept. 7, 1930, to the late Lilly Klanott Abbott Nigh and John Allen Abbott in Haines. His Raven kinsmen were his father's people, Gaanaxteidi (Raven/Frog); grandfather's people, Lukaax.adi (Raven/Sockeye); mother's grandfather's people, Takdeintaan (Raven/Snail); and grandmother's father's people, Kiks.adi (Raven/Frog). Others are Neisheetaan (Raven/Beaver), L'eeneidi (Raven/Dog Salmon) and L'uknax.adi (Raven/Coho).
As a youngster, he attended the Native school in Haines, where he was introduced to carving at age 12. Later, he worked as a commercial fisherman in Haines and as a siener with his uncle, Joe White, of Hoonah.
Family members said he was skilled at drywall installation and taping, and painting, a trade he learned from his step father, William Nigh. He worked for Bill Copenhaven, "Big Daddy," a painting contractor and owner of the Jewel Box. He was the painting crew boss for the tank farm in Haines when it was built.
He and his wife worked for Juneau Cold Storage. "Together they worked long hours and never missed a day," said family members. They both retired from the Cold Storage after 11 years of service.
After his retirement, he became active in carving again and enrolled in numerous classes at the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau and the Totem Heritage Center in Ketchikan. He produced many carving pieces - such as masks, rattles, spoons, bowls and hats - along with his brother-in-law, Ray Watkins. His works can be found at the Raven's Journey gallery and on permanent display at Goldbelt Corp. and Sealaska Corp., in Juneau.
He participated in seasonal subsistence activities. He and his wife spent part of each summer at their fish camp in Klukwan, where they put up salmon and other foods for winter. Family members said, "They were known for producing the best dry fish around."
"The Tlingit Eagle Thunderbird sun child has gone home," said family members.
He is survived by his wife, Anna Abbott; brothers, George and Tom Abbott; sisters, Helen Abbott Watkins and Clara Madsen; children, Charles Jr., Connie, Kathy, Marlene, Joyce, Donald, Phillip and Allen Abbott; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and step children; and numerous tribal kinship, including his aunt, Anna Katzeek, cousin, tribal leader David Katzeek, and Ozzie Sheakley and Anita Lafferty.
A service will be held at 11 a.m. July 15 at Northern Lights Church, 400 11th St., in Juneau.
Harry T. Brensdal
Juneau resident Harry T. Brensdal, 75, died Aug. 22, 2006, in Juneau.
He was born on Oct. 13, 1930, in Juneau. Raised by Olaf and Anna Brensdal, he graduated from Juneau-Douglas High School and attended the University of Alaska Southeast for studies in small engine repair. He was Deishtaan of Angoon, Raven Beaver.
He was a retired commercial fisherman who fished the Aleutian Islands and throughout Southeast Alaska.
According to his family "he was a bartender extraordinaire and chief family cook." They said he loved to attend and watch baseball games, travel by train, cooking, fishing, spending time with family and especially playing Santa Claus for his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ralph Bardi; sister, Sally Williams; and son, Vance E. Webster Jr.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Johanna M. Brensdal; sisters, Gloria Blevins, of Las Vegas, Stina Barrans and her husband, Leo, of Juneau, and Virginia Murphy and her husband, Frank, of Florida; brother, William Brensdal, of Seattle; brother-in-laws, Cyrus Peck Jr., of Juneau, and Raymond Peck, of Angoon; daughters, Dorothy Vaune Webster and her partner, Willie Sportel, and Elena Rae and her husband, Ramon Isturis; grandchildren, Ryan Gomez, Jolee Marie and Cyrus Joseph-Manuel Isturis, Vance Richard and Raymond Michael Webster, all of Juneau; and numerous nieces and nephews throughout the United States.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Alaskan Memorial Park and Mortuary. A family wake will follow at his daughter's residence, 1005 Fritz Cove Road.
The family requests that donations be made to the Alaska Native Veterans.
Jerrold James Wahl
Former Juneau resident Jerrold "Jerry" James Wahl, 67, died Aug. 25, 2006, at the Cumberland Medical Center in Crossville, Tenn.
While a Juneau resident from 1973 to 1993, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service. He also served in the U.S. Navy and was an accountant.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Mildred (Fulton) Wahl.
He is survived by his daughter, Catherine Wahl, of Spokane, Wash.; step daughter, Kathleen Parsons, of Crossville; sons, Craig and Scott Wahl, of Spokane; sister, Berta Thomas, of Richland, Wash.; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Aug. 28 at Chapel of Bilbrey Funeral Home, with Brother Gary Robbins officiating. Interment will be at Green Acres Memory Gardens in Crossville.
Pallbearers were Keith Spain, Travis Spain, Ray Parsons, Avery Conley, Tony Conley and Russ Gillaspie. Services were performed under the direction of Bilbrey Funeral Home Inc., in Crossville.
