Obituary, Joanne E. Kangas

Former Petersburg, Alaska resident JoAnne E. Kangas passed away from cancer in Hibbing, Minnesota.

She was born to John and Grace Gilbertson on April 19, 1940 in Minnesota. Art and music were favorite pastimes and as a teenager she knew Bob Dylan. As an adult, she was thrilled to meet and shake hands with of her favorite musical artist, Elvis Presley. She married Glen Kangas and sons John and David were born in Washington and Danny in Petersburg. Though she and Glen later divorced they often united as a family for holidays.

In Petersburg, she worked at Sanitary Market, Mick's Café, Pacific Marine Electronics and the USFS, later reassigning to the USFS in Duluth, Minnesota where she retired.

While in Alaska she and her family left all modern conveniences for a time and lived in a remote cabin, which she often referred to as one of the happiest times of her life. She loved to fish, pick berries and was an awesome cook. Her wit, warmth, and sparkle continue to touch those left behind following her death on December 30, 2015.

Preceding her in death were her parents John and Grace Gilbertson and sister Beulah Abrahamson.

She is survived by sons John (Marcy) in Petersburg; David (Dawn) in Hibbing; Danny (Christy) in Petersburg and numerous grandchildren; sisters Marilyn Erickson, Carolyn Abrahamson and Ruth Kerr.

Editor's note: We recently received the information for this obituary. The date of death is correct.