Obituary

Longtime Alaskan Resident Mary Eidem, age 88, a true Alaskan Pioneer, passed away Friday, January 24, 2025 in Anchorage. Mary was an amazing & beloved wife, mother, grandmother & great-grandmother. Mary was born in Iowa and moved to Alaska with her family in 1944. She was an avid reader, gardener, life-long artist and potter. Mary was a teacher at heart and graduated with a BA & Masters in Education from University of Alaska Fairbanks. She married Jerry Eidem in 1960 and her adventure continued as she taught in Fairbanks, Nome, Palmer and Anchorage. She was an independent adventurous spirit. Throughout her Alaskan years, she also lived in Nenana, Seldovia, Portlock, Kenai, South Naknek, and Homer. She and Jerry owned a Bed & Breakfast as well as multiple rental properties. She spent her summers commercial fishing except for one spent in Valdez cleaning the oil spill. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mary suffered with Alzheimer’s in her later years but continued to thoroughly enjoy life. She loved to sing and belonged to the Senior Center Choir and Forget-Me-Not Choir. She loved to go on drives and watch wildlife, attend Red Hat Society events, Alzheimer’s classes, activities and luncheon socials. She especially loved visiting with great-grandchildren Quinn and Luca. She is survived by Jerry Eidem; three daughters, Jill Maxwell (Keven Kleweno) of Anchorage, Molly Eidem of Trapper Creek, Greta Cooper (Dean) of Arizona; four grandchildren, Anton Maxwell, Veronica Aros (Manny), Arianna Sosnowski, Mary Sosnowski; two great grandchildren, Quinn Aros, Luca Aros. A celebration of life will be held at the Anchorage Senior Center on Tuesday, February 4th, 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska, 1750 Abbott Rd. Anchorage. 

Mary will be interred at Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery on the Columbarium Wall in Niche 36.