Rudolph "Rudy" Demoski

1945 - 2018

Rudy Demoski died peacefully at his home in Wasilla, Alaska, on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, with his loving wife, children, siblings and friends by his side. He had courageously fought lung cancer for the past year.
Rudy was born in Holikachuk, Alaska, to Edward and Lina Demoski. For the first 18 years of his life, he lived a subsistence lifestyle of hunting, fishing, logging and trapping in Anvik and Blackburn, Alaska. He had also lived and worked in King Cove, McGrath and Knik, Alaska, before settling in Wasilla.
He worked as a carpenter, commercial fisherman, trapper and hunting guide, but his true love was raising and racing sled dogs. He ran the Iditarod Sled Dog Race seven times and his best finishes were 4th and 9th. In 2013, after not racing for 27 years, he came out of retirement to race one last time.
Rudy is survived by his wife, Diane; mother, Lina; several siblings; six children; 16 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. His children are: Rosetta Alcantra (John), Ruby Christiansen, Roberta Demoski (Mike), Rebecca Newman (Harlan), Rudy Demoski Jr. (Nicole) and Amanda Powers (Artie).
His friends and family described Rudy as always a happy guy, honest, hardworking, courageous and strong, but gentle; he lived his life with no regrets and believed age was just a number. They said he had a smile for everyone. He was a true friend to so many people across Alaska and the Lower 48.
His wife, Diane, described their life together as an unforgettable adventure and her most memorable moment was when he thanked her for loving him.
We believe that all of Rudy's family and friends feel the same as his 4-year-old grandson Alex who, when asked who he was thankful for, he replied "My Papa."
Condolences may be mailed to Diane at 430 West Fallen Leaf Circle, Wasilla, AK 99654.
Arrangements cared for by Janssen's Mat-Su Funeral Home.