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Written by Theresa Daily
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Sunday, 01 April 2007 |
In 1975, Jerry accepted an extension agent position with the University of Alaska Fairbanks. At this time, he also married Carolyn, his "partner and friend" for life. They moved to Palmer in 1979, and Jerry became the agricultural resource agent with the University of Alaska, a position he held until his retirement in 1996. The university awarded him the prestigious professor emeritus title in 1997.
Jerry's lifelong dream of mushing dogs became a reality in 1982 and remained a significant part of his life for the next 24 years, until he was diagnosed with cancer. He treated his sled dogs as "family." The highlight of his mushing career came in 2000, when he and Carolyn ran their dogs with Norman Vaughan in the Serum Run from Nenana to Nome.
His family wrote: "Leisure activities always included other people. Jerry was a gregarious individual with a magnetic personality. A short conversation with Jerry and he was your friend for life. He and Carolyn carved a remote cabin complex out of the wilderness along the Yentna River, which he enjoyed so much. Over the years, he entertained countless friends and relatives there. In addition, Jerry had a strong curiosity to see other parts of Alaska. To that extent, he, along with family and friends, pursued numerous hunting, fishing and floating adventures into the backcountry of Alaska. He also was an avid reader with a voracious appetite for Alaska history, as evident in his collection of books.
"Jerry had a kindness and generosity that was an inspiration to all that knew him. His ever-present humor was infectious and warmed the hearts of all. He lived his life to the fullest, with honesty, compassion and integrity. His absence leaves a large void in the lives of many."
Jerry is survived by his wife, Carolyn; sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Bob Barton of Marble, N.C.; brother and sister-in-law, Floyd and Nancy Purser of Andrews, N.C.; sons, Frank Purser of Dana, N.C., and Charlie Purser of Raleigh, N.C.; daughter, Tonya Purser-Bruechet of Spokane, Wash.; stepson, Mark Knighton of Kingman, Ariz.; four granddaughters; and one grandson.
As per Jerry's request, he will be cremated and his ashes scattered along the Iditarod Trail in front of his cabin on the Yentna River.
The family requests that in lieu of memorials, donations in honor of Jerry Purser be made to the Willow Dog Mushers Association., attention Erin McLarnon, P.O. Box 858, Willow 99688
Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.
View & sign the guest book for Jerry
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Herbie Nayokpuk - A very sad day for Alaska |
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Written by Theresa Daily
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Sunday, 03 December 2006 |
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It is with a heavy heart that the Family of Herbie Nayokpuk would like to let you know that Herbert passed away Saturday afternoon December 2nd, at 2:35 pm surrounded by family at the Alaska Native Medical Center.
A Memorial Service is planned to be held in Anchorage, the start of the Iditarod trail, Wednesday, December 6th, at the Anchorage Baptist Temple at 1 pm and Thursday evening, December 7th, in Nome, at the end of the Iditarod, as Herbie completes his final race down the trail, with the funeral service to held in Shishmaref, Friday, December 8th (weather permitting).
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 03 December 2006 )
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End seems near for Herbie Nayokpuk |
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Written by CRAIG MEDRED, Anchorage Daily News
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Friday, 01 December 2006 |
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The gathering begins for Herbie Nayokpuk
END SEEMS NEAR: The 77-year-old Iditarod legend remains in coma.
From across Alaska, family and friends of Herbie Nayokpuk have been gathering in Anchorage as a true Iditarod legend nears the end of the trail for the last time.
Read the full story at ADN.com
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Last Updated ( Friday, 01 December 2006 )
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Written by Theresa Daily
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Thursday, 23 November 2006 |
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7:00 P.M. Alaska Standard Time
First off, a BIG Thank You From the Family of Herbie Nayokpuk for the wonderful emails that we have been receiving. It means so much to Elizabeth and the family, and we do read many of them to Herbert.
The Family has had the ventilator breathing tube removed, and Herbie is now breathing on his own. He is still in a coma, and in critical but stable condition, and has been moved from the ICU to the 5th floor of the Alaska Native Medical Center.
All of your thoughts and prayers have Helped Herbert and the family thru thus far, and we ask for your continued support through this difficult time.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 23 November 2006 )
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Legendary "Shishmaref Cannonball" Suffers Major Stroke |
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Written by Theresa Daily
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Sunday, 19 November 2006 |
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Monday afternoon, Nov. 13th, 77-year-old Herbert Nayokpuk, a retired Iditarod musher, suffered a major stroke at his home in Shishmaref, Alaska. Luckily, there was a doctor from the hospital in Nome making a visit to the village, and was there to help. He was stabilized and medivaced directly to Anchorage and remains in critical but stable condition at the Alaska Native Hospital. He has slipped into a coma, and with prayer, we hope he will soon open his eyes.
He had a stroke in 1981, which was on the right side of the brain. This stroke was on the left side, which also controls speech. His brain waves, lungs, heart and organs all were clean and working, and he looked better than yesterday and he seems to be responding at times, but remains in a coma.
An account has been set up with Wells Fargo to help Elizabeth and the family defray travel and living expenses while Herbert is in the hospital and donations can be made at any Wells Fargo Branch, to the "Herbert Nayokpuk Donation Fund"
An email address for Elizabeth and the Family is
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
She would really appreciate hearing from friends and family. Keep them in your prayers.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 23 November 2006 )
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Written by pet-diet.com
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Tuesday, 07 November 2006 |
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Published November 8, 2006 Posted in Local, Fairbanks News
Curtis Allen Charlie, 44, passed away in his sleep Nov. 4, 2006.Curtis was born March 31, 1962, to Chris and Martha Charlie in Minto.He attended high school in Nulato and Tanana. His favorite sports were basketball and dog mushing; he won many junior dog mushing races as a young man. Curtis was a seasonal firefighter and avid subsistence hunter, he loved being out on the Minto Flats with friends and family. Friends were always welcome at his home in Minto.
Curtis will be greatly missed by numerous friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents Chris and Martha Charlie; and nieces Dana Charlie and Annette Roberts.He is survived by his daughters, Minnena, Georgjean, Shaunda, Shelissa and Keely Shay; son, Hunter Allen; brothers, Lloyd, Ollie and Roy Charlie of Minto: sisters, Esther Hayward, Verconia, Frances and Christine Charlie of Fairbanks and Pricilla Johnson of Minto; his favorite uncle, Alfred Frank of Minto; and his companion, Jessica Silas. A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. today, Nov. 8, in Minto. The service will be officiated by the Rev. Anna Frank. He will be laid to rest in the village cemetery.A traditional potlatch will follow at the Minto Community Hall. Arrangements were by Fairbanks Funeral Home and Crematory.
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Susan Butcher Memorial Service |
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Written by pet-diet.com
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Thursday, 10 August 2006 |
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A Memorial Service in celebration of Susan’s life will be held at 4 pm on September 2nd at the Davis Concert Hall on the Universiy of Alaska campus in Fairbanks. Further details will be posted on this site soon. Susan's family thanks everyone for your love and support.
If you would like to send condolences to the family please use the address below:
The Monson Family
P.O. Box 60249
Fairbanks, Alaska 99706
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 05 October 2006 )
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Written by Lead Dog
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Friday, 04 August 2006 |
Four-time Iditarod champ Susan Butcher dies
AP News : August 5, 2006 ANCHORAGE, Alaska
Four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher died Saturday in a Seattle hospital of complications from a recent bone marrow transplant. She was 51 years old and leaves behind a husband and 2 daughters. Butcher dominated the 1,100-mile sled dog race in the late 1980s. In 1986, she became the second woman to win the grueling race from Anchorage to Nome. She added victories in 1987, 1988 and 1990 and finished in the top four through 1993. Susan will be greatly missed by all of us - she was truly an amazing person and a great ambassador for the sport of mushing.
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Written by Lead Dog
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Wednesday, 02 August 2006 |
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Legendary Iditarod Photographer Passes
The Iditarod Sled Dog Race has lost a very talented and dedicated friend. On August 3rd, photographer Jim Brown passed away in Palmer, Alaska at the age of 91. Jim was described as a consummate photographer who shared his love for the “Last Great Race on Earth” and shear beauty of the Iditarod.
Trail with millions of race fans from around the world. Today, we mourn the loss of one of Alaska’s legendary photographers.
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Written by pet-diet.com
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Wednesday, 19 July 2006 |
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Dodo Perri, 2005 Iditarod veteran from Italy, died Friday, July 14 in a diving accident in the Isle of Ponza harbor in the Tirrenean Sea near Rome.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 29 September 2006 )
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Written by DAnews
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Tuesday, 06 December 2005 |
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Iditarod musher Susan Butcher has been diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous
Leukemia. About 11,920 new cases of acute myelogenous leukemia are
diagnosed each year in the United States. Acute myelogenous leukemia
(AML) may be called by several names, including: acute myelocytic
leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia or
acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 30 September 2006 )
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