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Kathryn Elmore Obituary
A celebration of her life will be at 1 p.m. Feb. 14 at Kehl's Legacy Chapel, 11621 Old Seward Highway.
Kathryn was born Oct. 14, 1917, in Chicago. She married William S. Elmore in 1947. In 1950, her family packed a truck, trailer and car, and drove to Anchorage in convoy. They homesteaded in South Anchorage soon after. The family started with a one-room cabin of salvaged materials, carried water from a creek, and had no electricity. Well and foundation were hand-dug. They built the first mile of Elmore Road, her family wrote, but Anchorage was still an hour's drive. For a while, they owned and operated a general store/gas station on Old Seward Highway. Later, she served the Anchorage School District as substitute teacher, then as administrative secretary until retirement.
Kathryn aided the formalization of the Alaska Air Guard, spending many nights typing documents in the months prior to statehood. She worked on Alaska's first governor's campaign and was a founding member of the Home Owners and Land Owners Association of Anchorage. She was a captain in the Civil Air Patrol and served on numerous local boards and committees.
"Kathryn was a marvelous example of the Alaskan pioneer woman who helped carry the Territory into statehood," her family wrote. "She was comfortable in formal wear at General Elmore's side, meeting governors, a U.S. President, and even Emperor Hirohito.
"She might be found in a bathrobe teaching her children grammar or a flannel shirt digging a ditch. She loved singing or yodeling while playing the piano, guitar or harmonica. She also loved to paint, write plays and poems, and produced a yearly school mural. She instilled in her children the values of hard work, education, and etiquette, enjoying a time when good manners went farther than money."
Kathryn is survived by her daughters, Kathryn Christy, Earlene Yakley and Sollie Stambaugh; son, Charles; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; and sons, William and Morgan.
The family wishes to thank people for Kathryn's care, services and friendship.
Donations in her honor may be made to the Anchorage S.P.C.A. or Friends of Pets.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kathryn Elmore
Michael Armstrong
February 16, 2009
It was an honor to know Kathryn Elmore when I worked on the Rabbit Creek Community Council. She and the other Rabbit Creek homesteaders volunteered countless hours to help build Anchorage's best neighborhood. The Elmores were one of Rabbit Creek's first families, and Kathryn was the matriarch.
She also was a fine artist. I cherish the painting of Rabbit Creek she gave me shortly before I moved to Homer.
I am sad at her passing, but her legacy lives on in the family she raised and the community she helped build. I enjoyed learning of the early homesteading days from her. My best to her family and friends.
February 15, 2009
Sollie, Earlene & All,
I'm so sorry to hear of Kath's passing & wish I could of told her that I learned a few lessons about life in the Bush from her...they just took some time to sink in...the bucket under the faucet in the tub comes to mind!
Your All in my heart you know - Sollie, drop me a line.
Love, jamie
Kristi Jacobs & Erika Brink
February 14, 2009
When I first moved into Elmore Subdivision, I had no idea that it was actually named for anyone. I was born into an Alaskan Homesteading family myself and have a great deal of respect for those that came and broke the trail for those of us that followed. I remembered getting frustrated driving to work as I was always late and it seems that on trash day I would always get stuck on the slight incline near Kathryn Elmore's house.....waiting for the garbage truck to move. But it would stay there for eons. One day I was pretty angry and tapped my horn, then laid on my horn, then I got out to see why these big men in this big truck could not move so that I could get to work....not quite as late. Much to my surprise, there was Kathryn handing hot chocolate and cookies to the driver and his helper. After that, I always left early on trash day. Kathryn was a joy to visit and like most of us in the neighborhood, we wish we had visited more often. We are proud to have known her and are very proud to live in Elmore Subdivision.
Steve Underwood
February 14, 2009
I didn't know her well but I spent time with her here and there over the years and she was a very nice person. My heart goes out to my Morgan and Chrissy.
Steve Underwood
verna Elimore Tirrell
February 13, 2009
love to all my sisters and brouther-in-laws sorry for your loss love verna
Sollie and Irl Stambaugh
February 12, 2009
To all of you who have signed this guest book our deepest thanks for your kind words.
Kathryn will be miss very much. She has touched many lives.
Again Thank you for your entries.
Sollie and Irl
Barbara & Terry Petruska
February 12, 2009
To all the Elmores, we offer our sympathy and prayers. We only knew your father slightly and your mother was always so gracious to us. We have two of your mother's paintings she painted several years ago. May God grant you strength and peace during this time.
Steve Stokke
February 12, 2009
Sollie, Tom, & family,
I'm very sorry for your loss; her pioneer spirit & love live on with you always.
Tom Elmore
February 11, 2009
What can I say, She was my grandma and I loved her. She has done so much for Me and all us grandkids I am glad she had the chance to meet my child. We will miss her very much.
Chrissy Holmes (Elmore)
February 10, 2009
My family,
I wish I could be there with all of you in these hard times. Gram meant the world to me, to all of us and will be missed dearly. I love all of you with all my heart. You will be in my thoughts and my prayers.
(I honored Grandmas wishes by donating to the animal shelter)
Donna Glenz
February 10, 2009
Sollie and family,
I think of you often and now especially at this difficult time. Sending love, comfort and strength to you and your family.
Forever your friend.
Col (R) Manuel A. Wallace
February 9, 2009
I just learned of Mrs. Elmore's passing. My deepest sympathy to the Elmore family. I dearly loved she and Gen Elmore. I was on her xmas card list and she was on mine. I always looked forward to the updates on the family. She cared for all. The world is now short one more great person. I will always have a special place in my heart for she and Gen Elmore. God Bless the Family during this most difficult time.
Jim "Swede" Malmstrom
February 9, 2009
What wonderful memories we have of Kathryn and General "Pappy" Elmore! Kathryn met with my Bride Marcia and me when we arrived after a month long Honeymoon trip to Alaska in August 1960 to get Marcia started as a teacher in the Anchorage schools. Classy, warm friendly lady. I served with General Elmore in the Alaka Air National Guard through 1966 when we moved to California with IBM. Our lives are better for knowing the Elmore family.
Best regards!
Captain Jim "Swede" Malmstrom AANG Ret.
Perry Green
February 9, 2009
I recall her very sweet intelligent and true pioneer spirit. Both she and her late husband will be remembered as true pioneers that helped build this great state. She exemplified what Alaska should always be.
May God bless her for all the good things she spent a lifetime doing.
Tom Snyder
February 9, 2009
My sincere condolences. I knew I should have stopped by more often.
I just sent this note to a couple of my friends, so I'll just put it here with no changes. I will miss her, and just knowing she was there.
*******************************************************************************************************************
I knew this woman, nice lady. Lived right on Elmore, I passed by every day. I had been wondering how she was doing. She was looking pretty frail last time I saw one of her daughters taking her for a walk, months ago. Assume it was a daughter, never met them. I have met the son, Charles, a couple times, but wouldn't know him now if I saw him. Used to plow her driveway in the mid '80's when I did that for cash. I did a real good job, but somehow always felt bad about taking her money.
After a while she started to tell me, "don't finesse it so much." : )
I'd stop in & visit her once in a while, but rarely. The Elmores held the note on this lot when we bought it in 1974 & we had to have their approval to take it over. $7000, 50 bucks a month. This is their subdivision, Elmore #2.
I was glad when they changed the name from Bragaw to Elmore for all the road North of Rabbit Creek to Tudor, or just beyond. Seemed fitting, and showed a little recognition. It was always Elmore on this side of the creek.
I have 2 of her paintings hanging on the wall. I think she came here & gave us one, and we bought another for 50 bucks. They are pretty good, I think.
She was older than I thought, but I never really knew.
Her husband died on the same day as my Mother, Oct 4th, 1980.
*********************************************************************************************
Tom Snyder
4400 Riverton Ave.
Anchorage.
ken berlin
February 8, 2009
Mrs Elmore was always willing to share a laugh as we were on our way up or down Elmore road. Our kids always had a 'shout out' to her.
Sorry for her passing.
Ken & Sandi Berlin
14440 Elmore
Eric Brink
February 8, 2009
Sorry for the passing of such a wonderful lady, she took care of us kids in the neighborhood like we were her own. All these years she has always been in our hearts and prayers, she will be truly missed and never forgotten. Again sorry !!!
Tom Norris
February 8, 2009
Sollie,
My deepest condolences on the passing of your mother. I know she was a great woman who will be sorely missed by all.
Tony Burns
February 8, 2009
A great lady.
Elaine Dunlap
February 8, 2009
Erlene- my name is Elaine Dunlap(formerly Pettis). We rode the bus and went to school together. Wanted to send my condolences for the loss of your mother. I never met her, but my brother, Lyle was a good friend of your brother, Billy. Please drop me a line.
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