Sharon Jaeger

Long time Anchorage resident, Sharon Jaeger, died at home on December 20, 2011 after a short battle with cancer and a long battle with rheumatoid arthritis. She was 69.

Sharon was born August 2, 1942 in Grafton, North Dakota, to William Warren Poole and Clara Siverson Poole. Raised on the family farm in Forest River, ND she graduated high school in 1960. She then attended University of North Dakota where she met the love of her life - David Jaeger.

Sharon and David were married in Forest River in June of 1963. David was working in Chicago at that time and Sharon had one year of college until graduation. She planned to complete her final year in Chicago but just before the wedding David was transferred to New York. Sharon and David moved to New Jersey after their honeymoon.

While living in New Jersey, Sharon worked as a secretary at Rutgers University and at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, until the birth of their daughter in 1966. Seeking new opportunities they moved to Anchorage in 1969 when David went to work for the Anchorage Times. In 1971 their son was born.

In the early 1970's she "temporarily" led her daughter's Brownie troop when the troop leader became ill. This was the beginning of a lifetime involvement. In addition to troop leadership, she was a "cookie depot for several years, serving on Susitna Girl Scout Council's Board of Directors and has worked tirelessly at every single Encampment gathering since it originated in 1978. She was the recipient of two Council Thank You awards.

When her son started school, Sharon returned to the workforce working at Safeway for a few years. She then went to work for the Anchorage School District, working clerical positions at Chester Valley, Scenic Park Elementary Schools & Bartlett High School. In 1982 she moved from the schools to the district administration building, starting as clerical support in the Community Relations department. Within a few years she was the program specialist for her department. It was during this time that she developed training and workshops on Family Math, Family Science and Family Geography. These trainings and workshops were presented to educators, families and students in the Anchorage School District as well as other districts across the entire state. She was awarded the prestigious District Denali Award upon retirement in 2002.

During this time Sharon returned to college, obtaining her degree in Organizational Management through APU's Degree Completion Program. After more than ten years with Community Relations, Sharon moved into position of Community School Coordinator at Gruening Middle School and Chester Valley Elementary.

Sharon was a member of East Anchorage United Methodist Church. She played in the church's bell choir for several years and served on the board of trustees.

Sharon is survived by her husband of forty-eight years, David Jaeger, daughter Kristen Knight (Greg), son Erik Jaeger, grandchildren Kathryn and Jeremy Knight all of Anchorage. She is also survived by brothers John Poole of Summerland, CA, Donald Poole of Morton, IL and sisters Dorothy West of Elkton, MD, Kathleen Fischer of Littleton, CO, sister-in-law Rosetta Poole of Beatrice, NE, and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, her brothers Bob and Richard and her sister Pat Kavadas.

The family will hold a celebration of life at 2:00 p.m. on January 21, 2012 at East Anchorage United Methodist Church. Inurnment will take place later in the summer. Per Sharon's wishes - please do not dress in black for her service.

The family thanks Viola of Homewell Senior Care, Stellina and others at Providence Hospice who took wonderful care of Sharon in the end.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations to Girl Scouts of Alaska (3911 Turnagain Blvd Anchorage AK 99517), East Anchorage United Methodist Church (1660 Patterson Street, Anchorage AK 99504) or Providence Hospice (3435 E Tudor Road, Anchorage AK 99507).

Janssen Funeral Homes.