Alaska School Yearbooks by County
Gloria Breiling
Former Juneau resident Gloria Breiling, 78, died Aug. 20, 2006, in Vacaville, Calif.
She was born on April 23, 1928. She was a homemaker for all of her life. She lived in Juneau for 19 years and in Haines for 17 years.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Jim Breiling; six children, Neil and Marla Breiling, Cheryl Foster, Lynne Weller and Renee and Kevin Breiling; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two brothers, Herman and Lyle Emmett; and two sisters, Linda McEntire and Betty Emmett.
A viewing will be held today at the McCune Garden Chapel in Vacaville. A funeral will be at 10 a.m. Aug. 24 in Vacaville. Bishop Brent Nation will officiate. Burial will be in Suisun-Fairfield Cemetery in Fairfield, Calif.
Douglas T. Wahto
Douglas resident Douglas T. Wahto, 85, died Aug. 19 from a lengthy illness at the home of his son, Dennis Wahto.
He was born on Aug. 31, 1920, in Juneau to Aino and Gusti Wahto. In 1940, he graduated from Douglas High School. After working for a time as a miner and other miscellaneous jobs, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942.
During his military career, he was wounded May 24, 1944, in the European campaign and Nov. 7, 1944, in the German theater. He left the Army on Aug. 27, 1945, with many medals, some of which were the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. His fellow comrades called him "Flying Finn" because of how fast he could run.
Upon his return to Douglas, he married Doris Balog. Together they raised six children. He worked as a commercial fisherman and sergeant-at-arms for the Territorial House of Representatives and for the Alaska House of Representatives and Senate. He concluded his working career in 1984 as safety programs advisor for the Alaska Department of Labor. Upon retirement, he and his wife traveled in their motor home for many years.
He and his wife were grand marshals of the Douglas 4th of July parade in 1991, an honor he valued. Again in 2004, he and Jeremy Lemke were grand marshals of the Juneau 4th of July parade.
His family will remember him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, fisherman, hunter and a wonderful storyteller and dancer.
He was a member of the Pioneers of Alaska, the Special Forces Association, First Special Service Force Association, Northwest Special Forces Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Post No. 5559 and Anzio Beachhead Veterans of WWII.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Doris Wahto; brothers, Ole and Arvo Wahto; and sisters, Tyra Anderson and Vieno Franklin.
He is survived by his brother, Gordon (Joan) Wahto of Anchorage; children, Douglas (Patty) Wahto of Juneau, Dennis (Linda) of Juneau, Janice (David) Kutz of Kingston, Jean (Joe) Smith of Juneau, Joan Atkinson, of Juneau, and Julie Wahto, of Juneau; dear friend, Alfreda Dore, of Douglas; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
A celebration of his life will be at 11 a.m. Aug. 26, at the Douglas Community United Methodist Church. There will be a gathering after the service at the home of his granddaughter at 5310 Montana Creek Road. A full military burial by the First Special Forces will be held at the Tahoma National Cemetery on Oct. 13 in Kent, Wash.
Donations in his memory can be made to Hospice and Home Care of Juneau, 419 Sixth St., Juneau, AK, 99801, or Juneau Douglas Ice Association, Box 240811, Douglas, AK, 99824, to support youth hockey in Juneau.
Thomas S. Dooley
Former Juneau resident, Thomas S. Dooley, 87, died Aug. 17, 2006, at home in Anchorage, surrounded by his family.
He was born March 23, 1919, in Cordova to George E. and Minnie H. Dooley. He graduated from Cordova High School in 1937. He lived in Juneau from 1939 to 1940.
His career included cannery work, placer mining and carpentry. Employment with Pan American Airlines during WW II saw him involved with the Navy and military airport construction throughout Alaska, from Tanacross to Nome. He founded Glass, Sash and Door Supply Inc., in 1952 in Anchorage.
Family members said he was known as the grandfather of the contract glass and glazing business in Alaska. Under his leadership, the company completed many large projects including Denali Towers I and II, Egan Center and the CIRI headquarters. In addition, the Small Business Association named him Business Man of the Year. The business remains family owned and operated.
His community involvement included the Elks, Chamber of Commerce, the Arc of Anchorage and his church. For his commitment to scouting, the Catholic Church awarded him the St. George medal.
Family members said, "He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, who enjoyed his family and an extensive network of friends."
Weekends at the family cabin, drives up the Alaska Highway and pipeline haul road and crossing the Gulf of Alaska were adventures his family shared with him. Family members will cherish their memories of his family-led vacations to Cordova.
"His twinkling Irish eyes and sunny disposition will remain forever in our hearts," they said.
He was preceded in death by his grandson, Tommy.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Shirley; children and spouses, Tom and Donna Dooley, Vince and Bridget Dooley, Jim Dooley, Ann and Dan Krogseng and Patti Dooley; grandchildren, Lea, Laurel, Joseph, Michael, Meghan, James, Leilani, Ian, Stefan and Rebekah; and great granddaughter, Lia; sister, Minnie Swalling; and many nieces and nephews.
A Rosary will be said at 10 a.m., followed by 11 a.m. Mass, on Aug. 26 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Anchorage. A wake will follow at 2 p.m. at his family's home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Arc of Anchorage or a favorite charity.
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.
Evangeline Peck
Former Juneau resident Evangeline Grace Peck, 79, died Aug. 27, 2006, in Vancouver, Wash.
She was born Oct. 20, 1926. An auditor for the Department of Revenue Fish and Game Licensing, she lived and worked in Juneau from 1974 to 1987. Her two children graduated from Juneau-Douglas High School. Besides being very active in her church, one of her main activities and enjoyments of living in Juneau was fishing "the breadline" with her husband of 42 years, LeRoy.
She is survived by her sons, Ron Peck, of Anchorage, and Greg Peck, of Camas, Wash.; daughter, Sandra Cooney, of Poulsbo, Wash.; brother, David Benson, of Sacramento, Calif.; and sisters, Florence Blakely and Racheal Bird, of Los Angeles, Lorraine Cox, of Edmonds, Wash., Mary Minor, of Auburn, Wash., and Carol Dwyer, of San Francisco.
Services will be at 11 a.m. on Sept. 1 at Wabash Presbyterian Church in Auburn.
Memorials may be made to Bread of Life Mission, 97 South Main St., Seattle, Wash., 98104.
