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Winona State University

David Pahnke Obituary

Palmer resident David L. Pahnke, 65, died Jan. 5, 2007, after a lengthy illness at home, with his wife, Laurie Grimnes-Pahnke, and son, Adam Robert Bridger Pahnke, by his side.
A celebration of Dave's life will be at 5 p.m. Friday at the home of Paul and Krysti Klueber, Mile 3.5 Knik River Road, Palmer. His ashes will be scattered at his favorite hunting grounds near the Kahiltna River at a later date.
He was born Dec. 2, 1941, in Winona, Minn., to Herman and Ione Tunison-Pahnke.
Dave was educated at Winona State University, where he received his teaching degree in education in 1963, and got a job in Rochester, Minn.
He followed his sense of adventure to Alaska in 1966 and taught in the Anchorage and later the Unalaska school systems. He then became a commercial fisherman for 36 years in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. He loved owning and operating his boats The Makushin and The Christe II, in which he fished halibut, king crab, salmon, cod and herring.
His love of the land brought him to the Matanuska-Susitna area, where he built a home for his family on Knik River Road in Palmer and a cabin near the Kahiltna River.
Family wrote: "His passion for hunting and his love of the wilderness were well known. Dave lived to moose hunt and there were only three seasons: before hunting season, hunting season, and after hunting season. The hunting and fishing subsistance lifestyle provided a stocked freezer year round.
"His charisma and charm as well as his strength of character and his ability to stand up under any pressure situation will be missed by all who depended on these traits."
Dave is survived by his wife and partner of 27 years, Laurie; and the pride of his life, their son, Bridger Pahnke; sisters, Joyce McCracken and Ginna Sokoloski; brother, Donald Pahnke, and their spouses; numerous nieces and nephews; and all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Jane Hollon and Lois Peterson.
Donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel & Crematory

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Anchorage Daily News on Jan. 9, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for David Pahnke

23 Entries

Jackleen

October 30, 2022

In doing some research on the Aleutian Islands where I lived in the 1980s, I remembered Dave Pahnke's name. I believe he saved my life. He visited me as a very young woman (19) in the cabin where I lived and helped extricate me from a difficult situation. I don't know for sure, but many years later, I put the pieces together in a different way and understood that he had helped me without being asked. I'll always be grateful. He was a good man then, handsome with a strength of character that was noticed by everyone.

Vicki Williams

February 3, 2007

My deepest sympathy to you both Laurie and Bridger. Dave will be missed by many.

Bonnie Sokoloski

February 2, 2007

Laurie and Bridger, we went to the Kahiltna last weekend, our first trip out there since September. We have been concerned about all the snow and the roof so decided to head out last Friday. We had to park at Moose Creek because the road is only plowed to Amber and it is really narrow. After Amber is is a pretty narrow trail and hardly used after the Neil Lake turnoff. It was a great trip out but when we got to our turnoff Mike decided to go ahead and make a trail to our place. He only made it about a mile in and the powder was so bad that he finally just bogged down and got stuck. It was really difficult to turn his lug of a machine around in that deep snow but he finally made it back to Oil Well and we knew we couldn't make it. It was getting quite late and we had two options 1. turn around and spend the night with Hal and Nancy or 2. go forward and spend the night at your cabin. The number two option won out, because, and here it gets weird, BOTH our headlights burned out. We went right by your place because of so much snow it looked so different. Soooo we had to turn both machines around in the trail, if you got off you were buried and headed back. We ended up leaving the machines in the trail and Mike slogged through the snow (waist deep) to your cabin. I followed with our BRAVE doggies in tow. We started a fire and warmed up and had a meloncholy evening remembering all the fun times we have had there. Of course we drank many toasts to Dave and shed a few tears. The next morning we headed out back home. But it was so funny that this is the first time in 11 years that we haven't been able to make it back to the cabin, Mike, Mr. Listmaker, forgot the snowshoes that would have given us the means to get there, and Both headlights burned out so we couldn't go back. It's like we were meant to stay at your cabin. We could feel Dave's presence there and the impact he has had on our presence at the Kahiltna. Every twist and turn in that area has a memory of him for Mike as they have walked together so many miles there. Dave still walks in Kahiltna and his footprints are there forever.

We knew you would like to know

Mike and Bonnie

Roger Smith

January 26, 2007

I graduated with Dave from Winona Senior High School in 1959. Althought we never saw each other again I will always remenber what a great guy he was. Dave had a wonderful sense of humor. Dave was the best. My sympathy to Laurie and Bridger and to all of Dave's family and friends.

Augie Kochuten

January 22, 2007

Hello Dave,
I am so glad I got to see, hug and talk to you in September. Your family is family to me and I shall never forget all the great trips in skiffs arond Unalaska, many silly games, guitar strumming day and nights. Tsunami beer feasts, nobody could make anyone feel safer than you. I always felt comfortable talking to you, and, leaving my sweet daughters with you and Laurie. The trip that stands out is when we hung out at Hog Island, cooked rabbit, mussels, crab and baidarki over a fire without any pots, pans or utensils---just good times, true loving grea times. Wherever you were, Dave, light followed. I am glad you are with my tiny grandson, TJ, teaching him to hunt and play guitar. My arms are forever open to you fantastic family, and all of you are deeply embedded in my heart. Always and forever, TJ is on memory.com, too, visit him too, you all!
Augie and daughters and grandkids!

Margaret Lekanoff

January 22, 2007

Laurie,
My thoughts and prayers are with you through this dark time in your life. The love the two of you had was beautiful and will live on through eternity. I did not get to know your son Bridger but from what I have heard, he is a wonderful combination of the two of you and Dave was so proud of the both of you. Dave will always be with you and Bridger and I believe with all my heart that you will see him again. Stay strong Laurie. Love, Margaret

Lois Burrece

January 22, 2007

Laurie & Bridger,
" Perhaps they are not stars but openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines upon us thus they let us know they are happy and are with us forever" So sad to hear about Dave, he left behind many people that loved him but they will keep his memory alive. God Bless. Lois B. and Bobby York

Ahna Chagin-Wagnon

January 22, 2007

Dear Laurie and Bridger, I'm so sorry to hear about Dave's passing...an unfinished life. And thank you Rande for posting the picture of Dave & Bridger, I've been tearing my house apart looking for my Mommas' (Aunt Julie) pictures from her last trip to Unalaska. She was so excited for you and I remember her showing us pictures of the 'Cow, rocker and highchair' that Dave had created. She thought Dave was a genius in his creations. Again, I'm so very sorry for your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
xxoo
Your cousin, Ahna-. (Chagin-Bland) Wagnon and hubby 'Buffalo'

Rande Leggett

January 22, 2007

I watched my sister Laurie and Dave fall in love here in Unalaska. It was many many years ago, but they complimented each other. They brought out the best in each other. There are soo many great Dave stories, I'll try to keep it short. I remember fishing on the Makushin for halibut with hand lines and circle hooks, which really hurt if it was over a 40 lb. fish. Catching many rock fish at Devilfish Point, Going to Makushin Bay on the Christe II with another boat - the Makushin which he rebuilt, fished, & sold to my cousin. A family camping trip to catch some "reds". I see the net bubbling full of salmon, kids splashing in the surf, tents pitched near by, bon fires at night. It was an awesome week! He bought me my first riffle, a 35 remmington. Good moose gun, I guess. We went to the Kahiltna cabin to hunt, saw my first moose. It was female, but I was ready to kill! I guess they call that "buck fever". Laurie laughed at me. (I do too, now). They have a beautiful son who is much like Dave, he plays the guitar (don't tell Dave, but Bridger is better!) He's a hunter and has a quiet manner, and is blessed to have been taught all that Laurie and Dave know. They are both great parents.
I am blessed to be a part of this family and hope to pass on the grace, kindness, thoughtfulness and honesty that was shone to me. Many hugs and love, Ran

Bridger and typical Dave smile at the Homestead 06/01/02

Rande Leggett

January 22, 2007

Bridger and Dave at the homestead 06/01/02

Cora Holmes

January 21, 2007

Dear Laurie and Bridger,
The time I remember you best is when you visited the ranch when Bridger was four years old. The three of you were such a close unit. I loved seeing another family as much in love with each other as Milt and I were. I'm sorry you are going through sad times. I hope Milt and Dave are catching up on old times on the other side. Love, Cora Holmes

Michelle McDole (Nichols)

January 21, 2007

I had the pleasure of meeting Dave and Laurie almost 20 yrs ago. I have never met any one else with same interests and so much love for each other and for others!! Even though we lost touch, I have never ever forgotten either of you. My deepest symapthies to Laurie and Bridger. He will always be watching out for you both!! All my Love, Michelle

Ramona Grimnes /_Gosney

January 13, 2007

Dearest Laurie & Bridger My(Our) deepest LOVE and Blessings of strength and care are send your way & to all the future years to comes. May your days be filled with precious memories and joy knowing that someday we'll all be together in heaven ...Love&.Miss YOU ALL . Aunt Gunda ,Uncle Dave Gosney

Catherine Welgoss

January 12, 2007

Laurie, Bridger,

We send all our love to you. Dave was the most elegant frontiersman that ever lived. Not only could he build anything, hunt better than anyone, but he was the BEST dancer. The last of a breed - A True Gentleman. A wonderful Husband and Father and a faithful Friend to everyone. I have missed him already as I miss all of you.

Be strong and keep busy.

We love you very much,

Cathy, Johnny and Julianna

John Welgoss

January 12, 2007

I met Dave, and his lovely family and friends in 1999, when my family and I moved to Alaska from New Jersey. Bridger and my son Johnny are friends and their common interest of hunting ducks at the Knik, and camping at South Ralley in the Spring quickly created a bond between families and friends that will never be forgotten; Dave taught me more about the out doors and becoming an Alaskan than any book, or guide. Daves way of teaching came from great times spent at moose camp, man made lake, and Friday night get togethers. I had to leave Alaska, but Alaska never left me; And I pray that Dave knew how much I loved him.
I thank Dave for welcoming me and my family into his life.
John "Willis" Welgoss
rr1 box 323 Harveys Lake Pa. 18618

Lois Ready

January 11, 2007

I taught with Dave in Rochester when he first started his teaching career. The students all LOVED being in his class. Dave was a good teacher and I know he looked forward to his move to Alaska! My sympathies are with his family during this difficult time.
I have a photo of all of us first year teachers -including Dave- taken at the end of our first year of teaching and am planning to send it to you.

Juliette Vries

January 11, 2007

Dear Laurie and Bridger, even though we won't be there on the 12th in person we will be thinking of you and sending you love. Much strength for the coming time, Pete and Juliette Doctor/Vries.

Laura Rhowmine

January 10, 2007

Bridge,
Keep on with your bad self, I don't know how you are doing it, you are extremly strong, just remember,
Worry's look around,
Sorrow's look back,
Faith looks up.
I love you, always, hugs!!!

Randy Shoemaker

January 10, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Lindsay Sokoloski

January 9, 2007

Laurie and Bridger,
Sending all our thoughts and prayers out to you. He will be missed.
Love,
Courtney and Lindsay Sokoloski

Jon "Scooter" Nichols

January 9, 2007

Laurie Bridger and all others my deepest sympathy goes out to you. I will miss you Dave!!!!!

Karen Robinson-Case

January 9, 2007

I have such wonderful childhood memories of Dave, what a loss for all of us. Laurie, wishing you love and peace to you and your son.
With love, Karen Robinson-Case

Michael Johndro

January 9, 2007

Wonderful words for a wonderful friend! All or love to Laurie and Bridge

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