Gwendolyn "Gwen" Mongold

1928 - 2011

Fairbanks resident Gwendolyn Kesner Mongold, 82, died Monday, Feb. 7, 2011, at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.
Gwen was born April 17, 1928, in Moorefield, W.V., to James O. Kesner and Lena E. (Bensenhaver) Kesner. Gwen was raised on a farm in the foothills of West Virginia with her seven sisters and two brothers. They suffered through life during the Great Depression.
She married William E. Mongold on Dec. 22, 1952, in Moorefield and began traveling and serving as an Air Force wife. Gwen lived in Alaska for 65 years - including at Eielson and Elmendorf Air Force bases - and lived in the Fairbanks area since 1970.
Gwen was blessed with six children and has since been further blessed with 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. While raising her family, Gwen spent 32 years working for the Army & Air Force Exchange (AAFES) from which she retired in 1983. She gained the reputation of being a tough boss, working her employees hard but treating them all fairly and with respect.
Her entire life was devoted to doing all she could for her children. Her family was her No. 1 priority. She enjoyed spending time with her family fishing, camping and just enjoying their time together. Her quiet time, what little there was, was spent knitting, crocheting and doing other crafts.
Her family said, "Family was very important to Mom, she held everyone together no matter what. She taught her children to be very devoted to their families. She made friends easily and always left people feeling good, usually knowing that her bark was worse than her bite! She will be greatly missed by us all."
Gwen is survived by daughter, Gwen Pruitt; son, Ralph Mongold and wife Edith; son, Dennis Mongold; son, David Mongold and wife Patty; daughter, Cheryl Dukeman and husband Jack; and son, James Mongold; grandchildren, Belinda Gomez, Tricia Sanders, Stacia Mongold, William Mongold II, Steve Mongold, Christina Sprouse, Christina Mobley White, Dana Mongold, Samantha Broughton, Matthew Mongold, Jeremy Pruitt, Russell Pruitt, Virginia Mongold and Melissa Mongold; great-grandchildren, Jesse Hanna, Michael Gomez, Elijah Berrios, Christael Gomez, Jase Sanders, Shealynn Mongold, Amelia Mongold, Cassie Sanders, Amaris Woods, Nikolai Sprouse, Landon Mongold, Leila Sprouse and Donovan Mongold.
Gwen was preceded in death by her husband, William E. Mongold; great-granddaughter, Melinda Sue Mongold; and grandson, Dwayne Pruitt.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 13, at Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home with Pastor Roy Lovegrove officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. 1919 Lathrop St., Suite 213, Fairbanks, AK 99701.
The family may be contacted at P.O. Box 60972, Fairbanks AK 99706.
Arrangements were entrusted to Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home.