Vanette K. Sadler

1968 - 2016

Vanette Kay Sadler, 48, passed away at the end of a brief but courageous fight with cancer on Dec. 6, 2016, at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska. "Vet" was born on Sept. 25, 1968, in Emporia, Kan., and was raised along the Rocky Mountains before finding "Home" in Alaska in 1986. Vet was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Lisa, who passed in 2006 in Anchorage, Alaska. Vet is survived by her long term devoted partner, Debbie Hannah of Ninilchk, Alaska; father, Daniel Kennard Sadler IV of Palmer, Alaska; brother, Joel Christopher Sadler and spouse Natalie of Phoenix, Ariz.; uncle, Craig Reginald Sadler and spouse Michelle and their daughters, Freya and Bridgette of Santa Cruz, Calif.,; and countless friends and loved ones spread across the globe. Vet's hearth and home has long been Alaska. After a rough start when the family moved to Alaska in 1985, she longed for her many friends and acquaintances in Salt Lake City, Utah, and returned within a few weeks. However, the draw of Alaska became a primal tidal pull she could not ignore and returned within a year. She had many challenges and was up to each, sometimes laughing, sometimes clawing her way to becoming a real Sourdough, making heartfelt friends as she strived to just be part of Alaska and all it offers. She had an early career with NAPA Auto Parts in South Central, successfully becoming the "goto Gal" for hard to find parts or expediting shipment of parts to places only a true Alaskan knew even existed much less how to transport there. She often spoke with pride at all she learned and most especially the wonderful and beloved friends she met or didn't meet but, only talked to via phone or computer. One loved friend especially, Robert Dellos of Powell, Wyo., she met during her time with NAPA, and remained dear to her heart until the end. The character of Vet was not to be ignored, she saw to it. She had strength, tenacity and loyalty, all supported and fueled by the hidden heart of a lioness. Vet was fierce in championing the well being of others including the LGBTQ community. Vet's love, appreciation and admiration of Alaska's majesty, beauty and harshness was in her core. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping or just the fire pit out back in the bright summer light or the crispness of the below zero night that brought the Milky Way and Aurora. She loved animals of all species but especially her dogs and, of course, moose. One of Vet's many loves was the Denver Broncos, which by any measure was her most fervent passion. The agony and ecstasy of each season she met full throated and no fiercer cheerleader could meet her match. Their 2015 Super Bowl win was a highlight of that year. When the wind blows a gentle breeze, Vet will be ever nurturing and when a fierce wind storm blows with all its might, the Lioness is roaring. Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, at 5 p.m. at American Legion Post 18 in Ninilchick, Alaska. Any and all are welcome. In lieu of flowers, Please send a donation to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).