Frances Yvonne Elam

Frances Yvonne (Zundel) Elam, 89, passed away on Oct. 2, 2022 with her loving family by her side. She was born on the family farm in Harrington, Wash. on Aug. 28, 1933. She grew up helping with the harvest as well as in the kitchen learning cooking skills that would feed the farm hands and serve her throughout her life. When Fran graduated from Harrington High School as class valedictorian in 1951, she received a scholarship to Washington State University. After attending WSU, she went to work for Honeywell in Spokane. There, she met a dashing young engineer named Bill Elam. They dated and married in 1959. In 1960, Bill was transferred to Anchorage to become the new manager for Honeywell, Alaska. They soon bought a home and started a family.
Fran was outgoing, friendly, and eager to become involved in the community. She appeared several times on a popular local TV show in the 1960's called "The Woman's Touch" to share her recipes and cooking tips. She was famous among her family and friends for making world class pies. She was a member of the Toastmistress Club, the Anchorage Women's Club and the Anchorage Concert Chorus for several years. Fran loved to entertain and went all out with themed decorations and delicious food whether she was hosting her bridge group or a holiday party.
When her children were older, Fran began working for the Anchorage School District as a registrar at Turnagain Elementary School where she was a beloved and valued presence for many years. When she retired from her job at Turnagain, Fran did not slow down. She adored being a caretaker for her grandchildren. She was an avid gardener, an assistant Sunday school teacher and an active member of First Presbyterian Church and then Anchorage Reformed Presbyterian Fellowship. She and Bill also traveled extensively to numerous countries and many locations across the United States.
Fran leaves behind her loving husband, Bill; daughters, Sheryl (David) Zerda and Dr. Teryl (James Armstrong) Elam of Anchorage; and grandchildren, Valerie Zerda of Irvine, Calif., Dillon Zerda and Camden, Eli, and Reed Armstrong, all of Anchorage. She is predeceased by her brother, Russell Zundel; and sisters, Toni Dietrich and Geri Williams, all of Washington State. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska.
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