Juanita Gene Key Everette passed at the Pioneers' Home on Feb. 10, just days past her 82nd birthday.
A celebration of Gene's life will be from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 at Raven Landing Dining Hall, 949 McGown St., accessed via Cowles Street across from Noel Wien Library.
Gene was born Feb. 2, 1932, on the Key family ranch near Tatum, N.M., to Ethel (Tow) Key and Boss L. Key. She spent her early years with her brothers and sisters on the Key family ranch outside of town.
She was valedictorian of her high school graduating class in Tatum in 1949. She attended college in at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, N.M., where she met and married the handsome fellow who swept her off her feet, W. Kelley Everette. Together, they raised their family as they moved around the states wherever his job took them.
In 1966, they moved to Alaska, which became their final home. While Gene's family always came first, she on occasion fostered other children and found time to work at North Star Council on Aging where she drove the Meals on Wheels van; later, she served with Volunteers in Policing. And always, she enjoyed her hobby of growing beautiful flowers.
Gene's love for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren is legendary; she adored them all and made sure they knew it. She shopped for birthdays and Christmas months in advance and delighted in participating in all the family parties, picnics, school presentations, sports and music events that her children and grandchildren were in.
She also loved flowers, whether receiving them or growing them - she did have a marvelous green thumb! Kelley knew she loved jewelry, so he showered her with rings and necklaces - she enjoyed getting dressed up and going out. But! She never let anyone forget that she was a tough ranch girl. She and her siblings worked alongside their parents on the family ranch, growing vegetables (likely where her green thumb got its start), tending to the animals (Gene handled cattle right along with the men), making sure the windmill stayed in good repair, and sneaking off to read a book whenever the chance presented itself.
She enjoyed traveling, most often to see family and attend college graduations and weddings, but she and Kelley also branched out to Mexico, Australia and the Caribbean. If you asked, "You want to go?" she headed for her suitcase. They also were the instigators of many picnics, camping trips and trips up the Goodpaster River to their cabin, all fond memories for the family.
On holidays and birthdays, the Everette family always knew that the gathering would be held at Gene's home. Many a meal was prepared in her tiny kitchen and served to people wherever they could find a spot to sit. She and Kelley hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas; only when the crowd of family members outgrew the space did those celebrations branch out to her children's homes. Wonderful memories were built during those events, evidenced by conversation that goes, "Remember the Christmas when … ?"
She is predeceased by her husband, W. Kelley Everette; parents, Ethel (Tow) Key and Boss L. Key; siblings, L.B. Key, S. Cliff Key, Vernon Newton (aka Jack) and Patsy Key Branch.
Gene is survived by her beloved children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Nina and husband, Brian Burglin; Shannon Burglin (Gus) Grievel and Nicholas and Jackson; Chelsey Burglin (Ken) Mach and Parker, Matayah, Oliver and Asher; Maija Burglin (Peter) Stromberg and Brittany Burglin; Deborah and husband, Timothy Ryan; Kluane Ryan (Scott) Dixon, Kaiden, Connor, Cambrie, Weston, and a new grandson due in June; Keegan (Jessica) Ryan, Tayson, Maylee and Paxton; Mariah Ryan (Dustin) Conk, Camdin, Colton, Mackenna, and a grandbaby due in July; Orin (Rebekah Esign) Ryan; Kelley Key and wife, Jocelyn Rockney Everette; Bridget, Christine, Calin and Kelley Justin; and Michael Everette and wife, Sharon McLeod-Everette.
She also is survived by her older sisters, Joyce Frier and Juandell Eidson; brothers-in-law, S.E. Everette and Joe Everette, and sister-in-law, Mary (Everette) Hunter, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
The family thanks staff at the Fairbanks Pioneers' Home, Fairbanks Hospice and Dr. Jean Tsigonis, all of whom most recently cared for Gene.
If you wish, donations may be made in Gene Everette's name to the Fairbanks Relay For Life of the American Cancer Society (www.fairbanksrelay.com) Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska (www.alzalaska.org) or the Arthritis Foundation of Alaska (www.arthritis.org/alaska).
Arrangements are entrusted to Fairbanks Funeral Home.
Published in Daily News-Miner from Feb. 13 to Feb. 14, 2014
A celebration of Gene's life will be from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 at Raven Landing Dining Hall, 949 McGown St., accessed via Cowles Street across from Noel Wien Library.
Gene was born Feb. 2, 1932, on the Key family ranch near Tatum, N.M., to Ethel (Tow) Key and Boss L. Key. She spent her early years with her brothers and sisters on the Key family ranch outside of town.
She was valedictorian of her high school graduating class in Tatum in 1949. She attended college in at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, N.M., where she met and married the handsome fellow who swept her off her feet, W. Kelley Everette. Together, they raised their family as they moved around the states wherever his job took them.
In 1966, they moved to Alaska, which became their final home. While Gene's family always came first, she on occasion fostered other children and found time to work at North Star Council on Aging where she drove the Meals on Wheels van; later, she served with Volunteers in Policing. And always, she enjoyed her hobby of growing beautiful flowers.
Gene's love for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren is legendary; she adored them all and made sure they knew it. She shopped for birthdays and Christmas months in advance and delighted in participating in all the family parties, picnics, school presentations, sports and music events that her children and grandchildren were in.
She also loved flowers, whether receiving them or growing them - she did have a marvelous green thumb! Kelley knew she loved jewelry, so he showered her with rings and necklaces - she enjoyed getting dressed up and going out. But! She never let anyone forget that she was a tough ranch girl. She and her siblings worked alongside their parents on the family ranch, growing vegetables (likely where her green thumb got its start), tending to the animals (Gene handled cattle right along with the men), making sure the windmill stayed in good repair, and sneaking off to read a book whenever the chance presented itself.
She enjoyed traveling, most often to see family and attend college graduations and weddings, but she and Kelley also branched out to Mexico, Australia and the Caribbean. If you asked, "You want to go?" she headed for her suitcase. They also were the instigators of many picnics, camping trips and trips up the Goodpaster River to their cabin, all fond memories for the family.
On holidays and birthdays, the Everette family always knew that the gathering would be held at Gene's home. Many a meal was prepared in her tiny kitchen and served to people wherever they could find a spot to sit. She and Kelley hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas; only when the crowd of family members outgrew the space did those celebrations branch out to her children's homes. Wonderful memories were built during those events, evidenced by conversation that goes, "Remember the Christmas when … ?"
She is predeceased by her husband, W. Kelley Everette; parents, Ethel (Tow) Key and Boss L. Key; siblings, L.B. Key, S. Cliff Key, Vernon Newton (aka Jack) and Patsy Key Branch.
Gene is survived by her beloved children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Nina and husband, Brian Burglin; Shannon Burglin (Gus) Grievel and Nicholas and Jackson; Chelsey Burglin (Ken) Mach and Parker, Matayah, Oliver and Asher; Maija Burglin (Peter) Stromberg and Brittany Burglin; Deborah and husband, Timothy Ryan; Kluane Ryan (Scott) Dixon, Kaiden, Connor, Cambrie, Weston, and a new grandson due in June; Keegan (Jessica) Ryan, Tayson, Maylee and Paxton; Mariah Ryan (Dustin) Conk, Camdin, Colton, Mackenna, and a grandbaby due in July; Orin (Rebekah Esign) Ryan; Kelley Key and wife, Jocelyn Rockney Everette; Bridget, Christine, Calin and Kelley Justin; and Michael Everette and wife, Sharon McLeod-Everette.
She also is survived by her older sisters, Joyce Frier and Juandell Eidson; brothers-in-law, S.E. Everette and Joe Everette, and sister-in-law, Mary (Everette) Hunter, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
The family thanks staff at the Fairbanks Pioneers' Home, Fairbanks Hospice and Dr. Jean Tsigonis, all of whom most recently cared for Gene.
If you wish, donations may be made in Gene Everette's name to the Fairbanks Relay For Life of the American Cancer Society (www.fairbanksrelay.com) Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska (www.alzalaska.org) or the Arthritis Foundation of Alaska (www.arthritis.org/alaska).
Arrangements are entrusted to Fairbanks Funeral Home.
Published in Daily News-Miner from Feb. 13 to Feb. 14, 2014
Juanita Gene Key Everette passed at the Pioneers' Home on Feb. 10, just days past her 82nd birthday.
A celebration of Gene's life will be from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 at Raven Landing Dining Hall, 949 McGown St., accessed via Cowles Street across from Noel Wien Library.
Gene was born Feb. 2, 1932, on the Key family ranch near Tatum, N.M., to Ethel (Tow) Key and Boss L. Key. She spent her early years with her brothers and sisters on the Key family ranch outside of town.
She was valedictorian of her high school graduating class in Tatum in 1949. She attended college in at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, N.M., where she met and married the handsome fellow who swept her off her feet, W. Kelley Everette. Together, they raised their family as they moved around the states wherever his job took them.
In 1966, they moved to Alaska, which became their final home. While Gene's family always came first, she on occasion fostered other children and found time to work at North Star Council on Aging where she drove the Meals on Wheels van; later, she served with Volunteers in Policing. And always, she enjoyed her hobby of growing beautiful flowers.
Gene's love for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren is legendary; she adored them all and made sure they knew it. She shopped for birthdays and Christmas months in advance and delighted in participating in all the family parties, picnics, school presentations, sports and music events that her children and grandchildren were in.
She also loved flowers, whether receiving them or growing them - she did have a marvelous green thumb! Kelley knew she loved jewelry, so he showered her with rings and necklaces - she enjoyed getting dressed up and going out. But! She never let anyone forget that she was a tough ranch girl. She and her siblings worked alongside their parents on the family ranch, growing vegetables (likely where her green thumb got its start), tending to the animals (Gene handled cattle right along with the men), making sure the windmill stayed in good repair, and sneaking off to read a book whenever the chance presented itself.
She enjoyed traveling, most often to see family and attend college graduations and weddings, but she and Kelley also branched out to Mexico, Australia and the Caribbean. If you asked, "You want to go?" she headed for her suitcase. They also were the instigators of many picnics, camping trips and trips up the Goodpaster River to their cabin, all fond memories for the family.
On holidays and birthdays, the Everette family always knew that the gathering would be held at Gene's home. Many a meal was prepared in her tiny kitchen and served to people wherever they could find a spot to sit. She and Kelley hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas; only when the crowd of family members outgrew the space did those celebrations branch out to her children's homes. Wonderful memories were built during those events, evidenced by conversation that goes, "Remember the Christmas when … ?"
She is predeceased by her husband, W. Kelley Everette; parents, Ethel (Tow) Key and Boss L. Key; siblings, L.B. Key, S. Cliff Key, Vernon Newton (aka Jack) and Patsy Key Branch.
Gene is survived by her beloved children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Nina and husband, Brian Burglin; Shannon Burglin (Gus) Grievel and Nicholas and Jackson; Chelsey Burglin (Ken) Mach and Parker, Matayah, Oliver and Asher; Maija Burglin (Peter) Stromberg and Brittany Burglin; Deborah and husband, Timothy Ryan; Kluane Ryan (Scott) Dixon, Kaiden, Connor, Cambrie, Weston, and a new grandson due in June; Keegan (Jessica) Ryan, Tayson, Maylee and Paxton; Mariah Ryan (Dustin) Conk, Camdin, Colton, Mackenna, and a grandbaby due in July; Orin (Rebekah Esign) Ryan; Kelley Key and wife, Jocelyn Rockney Everette; Bridget, Christine, Calin and Kelley Justin; and Michael Everette and wife, Sharon McLeod-Everette.
She also is survived by her older sisters, Joyce Frier and Juandell Eidson; brothers-in-law, S.E. Everette and Joe Everette, and sister-in-law, Mary (Everette) Hunter, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
The family thanks staff at the Fairbanks Pioneers' Home, Fairbanks Hospice and Dr. Jean Tsigonis, all of whom most recently cared for Gene.
If you wish, donations may be made in Gene Everette's name to the Fairbanks Relay For Life of the American Cancer Society (www.fairbanksrelay.com) Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska (www.alzalaska.org) or the Arthritis Foundation of Alaska (www.arthritis.org/alaska).
Arrangements are entrusted to Fairbanks Funeral Home.
Published in Daily News-Miner from Feb. 13 to Feb. 14, 2014
A celebration of Gene's life will be from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 at Raven Landing Dining Hall, 949 McGown St., accessed via Cowles Street across from Noel Wien Library.
Gene was born Feb. 2, 1932, on the Key family ranch near Tatum, N.M., to Ethel (Tow) Key and Boss L. Key. She spent her early years with her brothers and sisters on the Key family ranch outside of town.
She was valedictorian of her high school graduating class in Tatum in 1949. She attended college in at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, N.M., where she met and married the handsome fellow who swept her off her feet, W. Kelley Everette. Together, they raised their family as they moved around the states wherever his job took them.
In 1966, they moved to Alaska, which became their final home. While Gene's family always came first, she on occasion fostered other children and found time to work at North Star Council on Aging where she drove the Meals on Wheels van; later, she served with Volunteers in Policing. And always, she enjoyed her hobby of growing beautiful flowers.
Gene's love for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren is legendary; she adored them all and made sure they knew it. She shopped for birthdays and Christmas months in advance and delighted in participating in all the family parties, picnics, school presentations, sports and music events that her children and grandchildren were in.
She also loved flowers, whether receiving them or growing them - she did have a marvelous green thumb! Kelley knew she loved jewelry, so he showered her with rings and necklaces - she enjoyed getting dressed up and going out. But! She never let anyone forget that she was a tough ranch girl. She and her siblings worked alongside their parents on the family ranch, growing vegetables (likely where her green thumb got its start), tending to the animals (Gene handled cattle right along with the men), making sure the windmill stayed in good repair, and sneaking off to read a book whenever the chance presented itself.
She enjoyed traveling, most often to see family and attend college graduations and weddings, but she and Kelley also branched out to Mexico, Australia and the Caribbean. If you asked, "You want to go?" she headed for her suitcase. They also were the instigators of many picnics, camping trips and trips up the Goodpaster River to their cabin, all fond memories for the family.
On holidays and birthdays, the Everette family always knew that the gathering would be held at Gene's home. Many a meal was prepared in her tiny kitchen and served to people wherever they could find a spot to sit. She and Kelley hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas; only when the crowd of family members outgrew the space did those celebrations branch out to her children's homes. Wonderful memories were built during those events, evidenced by conversation that goes, "Remember the Christmas when … ?"
She is predeceased by her husband, W. Kelley Everette; parents, Ethel (Tow) Key and Boss L. Key; siblings, L.B. Key, S. Cliff Key, Vernon Newton (aka Jack) and Patsy Key Branch.
Gene is survived by her beloved children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Nina and husband, Brian Burglin; Shannon Burglin (Gus) Grievel and Nicholas and Jackson; Chelsey Burglin (Ken) Mach and Parker, Matayah, Oliver and Asher; Maija Burglin (Peter) Stromberg and Brittany Burglin; Deborah and husband, Timothy Ryan; Kluane Ryan (Scott) Dixon, Kaiden, Connor, Cambrie, Weston, and a new grandson due in June; Keegan (Jessica) Ryan, Tayson, Maylee and Paxton; Mariah Ryan (Dustin) Conk, Camdin, Colton, Mackenna, and a grandbaby due in July; Orin (Rebekah Esign) Ryan; Kelley Key and wife, Jocelyn Rockney Everette; Bridget, Christine, Calin and Kelley Justin; and Michael Everette and wife, Sharon McLeod-Everette.
She also is survived by her older sisters, Joyce Frier and Juandell Eidson; brothers-in-law, S.E. Everette and Joe Everette, and sister-in-law, Mary (Everette) Hunter, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
The family thanks staff at the Fairbanks Pioneers' Home, Fairbanks Hospice and Dr. Jean Tsigonis, all of whom most recently cared for Gene.
If you wish, donations may be made in Gene Everette's name to the Fairbanks Relay For Life of the American Cancer Society (www.fairbanksrelay.com) Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska (www.alzalaska.org) or the Arthritis Foundation of Alaska (www.arthritis.org/alaska).
Arrangements are entrusted to Fairbanks Funeral Home.
Published in Daily News-Miner from Feb. 13 to Feb. 14, 2014
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