Carole Daniels

1946 - 2021

Carole Anne Daniels, 75, passed away peacefully on Oct. 30, 2021. She was born Aug. 2, 1946, to parents Albert and Betty Anne Wood, the oldest of five siblings in an Irish Catholic family from Seattle, Washington.
She spent her youth there and graduated from Blanchet High School. She married the love of her life, Steven Daniels, and together they raised five children.
In the winter of 1972, they drove the Alaska Highway, pregnant, with children in tow, to seek adventure in the great state of Alaska, a place they were so proud to call home.
In the mid-1970s, Carole and Steve joined the newly formed North Star Volunteer Fire Department where she was the fourth person to become a member of the "100 Fire" club.
She worked as a fire truck driver and firefighter, which at times meant responding with the kids in the car. Until her youngest started school, she worked out of the home selling Avon.
Carole became a switchboard operator for Alaska National Bank of the North and quickly moved into a secretarial position.
In 1986, she became part of the original group of 11 that started Denali State Bank. Through the years she held many roles, ultimately becoming a vice president.
Carole volunteered at the Tanana Valley State Fair, where she served as president for many years and met numerous lifelong friends. She was renowned for her culinary skill and was constantly seeking new recipes and ingredients to cook for those around her.
She was famous for her family dinners, bank picnics and breakfasts, and her dozens of varieties of Christmas cookies.
Her baking skills were validated by winning many ribbons and grand champion awards at the state fair, including her double chocolate cupcake, carrot cake and coconut cream pie recipes.
One of Carole's goals was to give each of her children a great start with their education and, while sacrifices had to be made to make it happen, she was proud to send her children to the Catholic Schools of Fairbanks. She was eventually blessed with 10 grandchildren, who were the joy of her life, and in August she proudly celebrated the birth of her first great-grandchild. She was a generous and caring grandparent, embracing those near or far, never missing an opportunity to send a specially chosen card with her love (and confetti).
Carole spent much of her free time with Steve and family at their Summit Lake cabin, which became a family haven. At the lake, they spent their time enjoying all that Alaska has to offer: snowmachining, fishing and berry picking.
She loved to camp and fish at her favorite places, including the Salcha and Gulkana rivers and in Valdez. Her adventurous spirit took her on many travels, including visits to Mexico, Ireland, Singapore, Vietnam, New Zealand, Australia and her favorite, Hawaii.
After Carole retired from the bank she and Steve bought a second home in Las Vegas, where they spent their winters away from the cold of Fairbanks. They joined the YMCA and developed many strong friendships through pickleball, which they played two hours a day, five days a week.
They were proud of their Vegas home and were happy to share it with the many friends and family that traveled to visit over the past 10 years.
Carole was never bitter about her health struggles and chose to focus her efforts on things she could change.
While fighting cancer, she was always quick to turn the conversation to others and stay positive. In her quiet and understated way, Carole lived a fulfilling life that was strengthened and enriched by friends.
She was a mentor of life to family, friends and colleagues; she was a listener, a trusted friend and confidant. She will be missed by all who were grateful to call her sister, mom, aunt, nana, great-grandma and friend.
Carole was preceded in death by Steve, her husband of 48 years. She is survived by siblings Marie Raschko Sokel (Tom), Pat Schultz, Albert (Maryann) Wood, and Theresa (Hugh) Wentworth; children Stacy Daniels, Kjersten (Scott) Kuhta, Joe (Tammy) Daniels, Jon Daniels, William (Vicki) Daniels; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10?a.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at Immaculate Conception Church. A reception will follow at 12?p.m. at Wedgewood Resort. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the American Cancer Society.