CONDOLENCES
The Board of Directors and the staff of The Aleut Corporation would like to extend their sincere condolences to the families and friends of shareholders who have passed away this year.
Axel Radion Samuelson, 46; King Cove, AK
Elbert Hardy, Jr., 54; Long Beach, CA
Audrey J Medina, 83; Anchorage, AK
Marlene I. Schroeder, 84; Anchorage, AK
John Rosenberg, 86; Penn Valley, CA
Anne M. Hatch, 100; Seward, AK
Arnold H. Peterson, 69; Bellingham, WA
Marilyn J. Dushkin, 57; Sand Point, AK
Thomas Endresen, 60; Anchorage, AK
Vassa K. White, 85; San Antonio, TX
Agatha S. Bryant, 60; Hattiesburg, MS
Leff J. Kenezuroff, 77; King Cove, AK
Florence M. Anderson, 71; Akutan, AK
George Bereskin, 63; Akutan, AK
Duane P. Holmberg, 60; Everett, WA
Kenneth N. Golley, 54; Anchorage, AK
David O’Neal, 80; Bolivia, NC
Patrick S. Pletnikoff, 73; St. George Island, AK
Pauline Dushkin, 91; Nikolski, AK
Helen Koso, 79; Anchorage, AK
Marie Osterback, 93; Anchorage, AK
Mariamna D. Melovidov, 61, St. George, AK
Frances Larsen
Correction of age published in the last newsletter: 80; Sand Point, AK
Frances Larsen passed away due to Parkinson’s disease and dementia on January 15, 2021, at Oasis Assisted Living Home in Anchorage, Alaska.
Frances was born to Gregory and Stepanita Takak in Kanatak, Alaska, on Christmas Day, 1940. Though raised in Perryville, she spent many of her years between Sand Point, Alaska, and Anchorage. She married her husband Norman Larsen in Anchorage on April 17, 1970. They grew their family of two to a family of six.
When she was not working as a health aid and EMT, you would easily find her gardening, passing you by on another road trip to Homer, Alaska, clam digging, and smoking freshly caught salmon. Frances took pride in helping others. She was one of the first EMTs who flew patients to Anchorage with private pilot George Kimball in the ’80s. Frances was an active mother in her children’s lives and, during school years, would make home-baked goodies for their school or community functions. She proudly graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage with her Associate of Arts in 2006, at the age of 65.
Frances had a close and strong belief in God and Jesus. She always said a prayer for her family members and made sure to say each of their names. Before her illnesses, she traveled to Israel with a Christian group. She told her family, “I’m going to walk where Jesus walked.”
When Frances was a young girl, she lost both of her parents. Father Harry and Jenny took her in and raised her. She loved her family and immensely enjoyed the time spent with a cup of tea. She will be missed dearly by her family and friends. She was very close with her caregivers Josi, Marissa, and Elizabeth, at the Assisted Living Home; they referred to her as “Grandma.”
She is survived by her husband, Norman Larsen; sons, Allen Kuchenoff Sr. (Lou) and Robin Larsen (Paulette); daughter, Sharon Futch; grandchildren, Allen Jr., Courtney, Alaina, Alton, Parker, Arriah, and Randy; and great-grandchildren. Frances’ son Thomas preceded her in death in 1985.
Lawrence “Larry” Chercasen
Larry was born in Nikolski, Umnak Island, AK on March 23, 1935, to Alex and Mary Krukoff Chercasen. After the Japanese bombing of Dutch Harbor during World War II, he and the residents of Nikolski were evacuated to Ward Lake, near Ketchikan. He returned to Nikolski after three years to find that the items they had been required to leave behind had been stolen or destroyed. He attended Mt. Edgecumbe Boarding School. After returning to Nikolski, he worked in Kotzebue inside the Arctic Circle. He then joined the Air Force. He was given a medical discharge and came to Vancouver, WA. He worked with the bridge crew and maintenance, operated the sign shop, was foreman on the paint crew, and eventually retired as the Assistant Maintenance Superintendent. 
He enjoyed attending The Aleut Corporation meetings and was the 2010 Elder of the Year. He also served as a keynote speaker at the Youth and Elders Conference prior to an Alaska Federation of Natives meeting.
Larry loved to hunt and fish. In his youth, he kept the elderly women of his village supplied with geese. In his later years, he loved to fish from his boat at Neah Bay or Ilwaco.
Larry was a wonderful musician. He played with the County Line, Hallelujah Gang, and other groups, then sang with the Way Off Broadway Singers and the Vancouver Heights Church Choir. Larry served as a Stephen Minister Leader and was a certified Lay Speaker. He also attended Native American Lay Speaker training.
Larry is survived by his wife of 57 years, Patricia; his son, Mike; grandchildren, Kendra and Logan; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Dan; his parents, Alex and Mary; his brother, Jr.; and his sister, Lucy.