Jill Kathleen Fanning, 1948-2006

We will all dearly miss Jill Fanning. Yakutat Lodge co-owner, Jill Fanning, died peacefully in her sleep of natural causes on December 10, 2006. Jill and her husband of 37 years, Ken Fanning moved to Yakutat from Fairbanks in 1988 and have operated the Yakutat Lodge since the early eighties.

Jill was known as a wonderful Alaskan hostess to guests from all over the world. She was much loved by many friends in Alaska and from all over. She had a way about her that others hope to achieve, she loved life and was comfortable with her faith.

Jill was born in Ellsworth, Kan. on May 24, 1948. She graduated from North High School in Denver and attended Colorado State University and Greely Teachers College and graduated from the University of Alaska in Fairbanks.

In 1969 Jill and Ken moved to Fairbanks where they built a small cabin on Chena Pump Road. Ken guided and trapped, and along with Jill began their sport-fish operations on the Gulkana River in 1972. Jill was the camp cook and hostess on the Gulkana and also worked at First National Bank, taught a little school and worked with Realty Inc. when in Fairbanks.

A love of music was one characteristic that helped define Jill, who was quite the singer. She recently joined a singing group called The Quesa Divas in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, where the family wintered. Jill frequently led karaoke nights at the Yakutat Lodge in her self-appointed role as "Fun Director." Jill also had a passion for gardening.

Jill is survived by many loved ones including husband, Ken, and son, Kip Jason Fanning, and Kip's family, Tammy Demmert, Kelsey Rae Fanning and Samson Demmert. Jill also leaves behind an extended "family" including many employees, friends and clients who loved her dearly.

We are all sad to lose such a wonderful person, but Jill lived life to the fullest. She had an amazing family, a beautiful home (she often said she felt it was one of Alaska's finest log homes, but that it most definitely had the most beautiful view in the world) and a lifestyle to suit her. Rest peacefully, Jill.

Robert Richard Yost, 1982 - 2006

Robert was a born fisherman. He started fishing at the age of 3 with a rope tied to his life vest and the other end tied to his mother's waist. He caught his first red salmon at the age of 5 all by himself. He would and could fish in any type of weather as long as it had to do with fishing. Robert was fortunate to fish other places in his 23 years, from Maui, Hawaii, Cabo, Mexico, and Seattle, Washington to mention a few. He was a deckhand on his stepfather's boat, where he especially enjoyed to hear other people's fish stories. For his high school graduation his grandfather Richard gave him a fly rod and reel, which he treasured.

When it's time to go fishing and we pick up our poles, Robert is etched in our memories with his great big smile and we can here him say "Fish-On!"

We love and miss him - his family.