Leo T. Oberts, 88
Alaskan pioneer Leo T. Oberts, 88, died of natural causes on Saturday, March 13, at the Harbor Lights Assisted Living Center in Soldotna, Alaska.
Funeral services will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 18, at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, 225 South Spruce Street in Kenai. A reception at the church will follow. Military honors will be performed by the American Legion Post #20 and V.F.W. Post #10046.
Mr. Oberts was born February 7, 1922, in Washburn, Wisconsin. After serving in World War II, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a business administration degree. Seeking a new life and adventure, he moved to Alaska in 1952, and worked on the construction of Wildwood Air Force Station. Soon, Leo's fianc, Marion, came from Wisconsin to join him. Kenai had no Catholic Church at the time, so in 1954 they married in the makeshift church set up in Louisa Miller's Ice-Cream Parlor. They started the Oberts Insurance Agency in 1955, and also bought and sold real estate. Together, they homesteaded along the Kenai River between Kenai and Soldotna in 1956, and helped found the City of Kenai in 1960. Mr. Oberts retired in 1986, but was still an active member of the Catholic Church, the American Legion, the Elks and the Kenai Chamber of Commerce. He filled his leisure hours reading, fishing, gold panning and was an avid rock hound. Leo was preceded in death by his wife, Marion A. Oberts; his brothers and sisters; and grandson Daniel L. Oberts.
He is survived by his son, Steven T. Oberts; grandsons Nathan T. Oberts and Jesse S. Oberts; great grandson Laine T. Oberts; nephews and spouses Ed and Leona Oberts; John and Pam Oberts; nephew Gary Oberts; and many other nieces and nephews.
The family wrote, "Leo Oberts left behind a tremendous legacy. He will be remembered as a pioneering homesteader, a business and civic leader, and a loving and caring father and grandfather. He will live forever in our hearts."
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.