Verdiene Cordelle Zenger, 82

Verdiene Cordelle Zenger, 82, died on Jan. 9, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer, Alaska. She was born Oct. 9, 1928, in Albany, Ore., to George Bernard Lucht and Adeline Ashe Lucht.

She graduated high school in Albany and married Ned Zenger in September 1947. They moved to Juneau, Alaska, in 1948 and lived there until they moved to Wrangell, Alaska, in 1952. They then moved to Alcan, Alaska, in 1974 and left in 1976 and moved out of state to San Bruno, Calif., until 1987 at which time she and Ned retired and settled in Post Falls until 2010 at which time she moved back to Wasilla, Alaska, to be with her daughter, Nancy.

She had worked in the early '50s at Benjamins Grocery Store in Wrangell until about 1957 at which time she worked for Wrangell Lumber Co. until 1974 as a receptionist and tally clerk. She was a lifetime member of American Legion Aux Merlin Palmer No. 15, NARFE, Eastern Star Juneau Chapter, Stephens Ministry and the Lutheran Dorcas Ladies. She enjoyed quilting, crocheting and reading.

According to her family, "Mom's home was always open to those who needed a place to rest or a bed to sleep in and the coffee pot was always on. She never turned away a friend in need. She was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew her."

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ned in March 2002.

She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Karen Zenger of Bayfield, Colo., John and Lynn Maxand and Bob and Alysse Maxand, both of Wrangell; four daughters and sons-in-law, Stephanie and Ken Montreuil of Coeur d'Alene, LouAnne and Jerry Grill of Adna, Wash., Nancy and Monty Mangum of Wasilla, and Trudy and Craig Johnson of Wrangell; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Wrangell Search & Rescue, P.O. Box 794, Wrangell, AK 99929.

A Celebration of Life will be later this summer.

Arrangements by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel & Crematory in Wasilla.