Obituary, Susan R. Slavin, 72

Susan R. Slavin, 72, passed away at her home in Petersburg, Alaska, on July 4, 2015, with her beloved husband at her side.

Sally Susan Randrup was born in Bellingham, Wash., on July 11, 1942. Sue was the fourth of five children born to Wesley and Frances Randrup. In 1950, her father went to work for Pacific American Fisheries (later, Petersburg Fisheries Inc) in Petersburg. He fell in love with the community and sent a telegram to Bellingham which read, "Do you want me to buy or rent -- I'm staying!" The family moved to Petersburg in October 1951; Sue was in the 4th Grade. She graduated from Petersburg High School in 1960.

Sue married Arnold Fredricksen in 1961, and they raised four children - three daughters and one son. In addition to being a housewife and homemaker, Sue was active in the Alaska Crippled Children's Association, a Girl Scout or Cub Scout leader for over 10 years, a member of the Petersburg Coast Guard Auxiliary for 20 years, bookkeeper for Mitkof Sales & Service (owned by her brothers) for many years, the local representative for Ketchikan Credit Bureau for five years, a part-time employee for Petersburg Cablevision, and she took over Randy's Machine Works for her father.

Sue and Arnold divorced in 1982. She then opened a licensed day care in her home and was the first person in town to rent VHS videos to the public through Nugget Video.

In 1985, Sue went to work 'temporarily' at The Trading Union Inc. as Office Manager. She held that position for 30 years.

Sue married 'the boss', Ken Slavin, on July 24,1989. She then became active in the Elks Club organization as a volunteer and helped organize the 4th of July celebrations for many years.

Sue and Ken traveled extensively during the first decade of their marriage. Sue, who had never done much traveling, enjoyed visiting other parts of Alaska, North America, and the world. Their most exotic trip was to Austria and Hungary.

When they weren't traveling, the couple liked to spend weekends at their cabin located across from Papke's Landing or cruising around on their boat, "Gold'n Pride." Over the years, they hosted countless friends and family members at the cabin and aboard the boat. Fishing, food, and fun were always on the agenda.

The 4th of July holiday was a special time for Ken and Sue. Ken was Chairman of the 4th of July Committee for over 20 years, and Sue served as its secretary for many of those years. Not content to be just the secretary, she was at Ken's side during the entire multi-day celebration. Their last year of heading up the activities was 1997. They were honored in 1998 by being chosen as Grand Marshals of the 4th of July parade.

Free from the duties of overseeing the exhausting undertaking, a new holiday tradition evolved. Sue and Ken began hosting a family potluck at their cabin. Hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, desserts . . . and, of course, fireworks on the beach.

Sue was many things to many people -- daughter, sister, wife, mentor, friend. Her most cherished and important roles were that of mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Sue considered her best friends to be her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frances Greene Westre in 2003 and Wesley Wilson Randrup in 2006; infant sister Joan Marie in 1938; and brother John Chester (Chet) Randrup in 2013.

Sue is survived by her husband Ken Slavin; sister Judy Sarber (Anchorage); brother David Randrup and wife Kathy (Petersburg); daughter Cris Morrison and husband Cris (Petersburg); daughter Debra Chin and husband John (Beaverton, Ore.); daughter Cean Benitz and husband David (Petersburg); son Kevin Fredricksen and wife Tina (Beaverton, Ore.); grandchildren Barry Morrison and fiancée Mandy Kivisto, Eric Morrison, Blake Morrison and wife Courtney, Crista Voigt and husband Joe, Ryan Chin, Deven Benitz, Cynthia Benitz, Kirby Fredricksen; great-grandchildren Austin Morrison and Kaelynn Morrison; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

An informal 'Celebration of Life' reception will be held at the Elks Lodge in Petersburg, Alaska, beginning at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 8.