Emil V. Nelson

Longtime Alaskan Emil V. Nelson of Homer died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004, at his home of natural causes. He was 91.

A celebration of his life will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Homer Elks.

He was born July 25, 1912, in Lindsborg, Kan., into a family of nine children. During World War II, he worked at an aircraft factory in California where he met and married Bucki Manatowa.

In 1947, he moved his family to Seward were he worked as a longshoreman for 25 years, surviving the 1964 earthquake, before moving to Homer in 1975 to be near his grandchildren. He was active in the Masons, Elks and Pioneers of Alaska.

His family and friends knew him as a kind person, who always saw the best in people. He loved to hunt, fish and enjoyed playing bridge at the senior center. He was a regular at the Homer Spit fishing lagoon as a spectator and active fisherman over the years.

He is survived by his wife Bucki of 62 years, and his three children Beaver of Homer, Secret Hennrich of Laguna Beach and Forest of Moose Pass; grandchildren Rob of Kasilof, Tom of Homer, Lita of Moose Pass and Seneca and Nicole Hennrich of Laguna Beach; great-grandchidren Zachary, Katlian and Jakob Nelson; and his sister Ruth of Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Homer Senior Center.

Arrangements were made by Homer Funeral Home.