Alison Kay Eklund, 69, passed away at home in Anchorage, Alaska on Jan. 16, 2021. All but three of those 69 years were spent in Alaska.
Alison was born in Cordova, Alaska, the second child of Harold and Pat Sleighter. Except for a couple of years in Anchorage, Alison attended school in Cordova and graduated from Cordova High School. She and Terry Barnes were married in 1971. They had two children, Jason Barnes and Teresa Barnes. Terry passed away in 1987.
After high school, Alison worked in local canneries and later worked in retail for several years. She retired as the housekeeping supervisor at the Reluctant Fisherman Inn in Cordova.
Alison married Gerald (Jerry) Eklund in 1991. In 2013 Alison and Jerry moved to Bend, Oregon where they resided until 2016, at which time they returned to Alaska, making a home in Anchorage.
Alison was loved and respected by many and known for her kindness and big heart. She was quick to laugh, often at herself, had a terrific sense of humor, a quick wit with just the right amount of sarcasm, and she was as stubborn as a mule. She accepted life as it was, without complaint. Alison dearly loved her family. Her devotion to her children and grandchildren knew no bounds. Jason considered his mother to be his best friend and Teresa remembers her mother’s calmness and strong will. Friends remember her smile, her sweetness, and her strong work ethic. Her sister Rhonda said, “My sister was a beautiful, sweet soul. She was the best sister and friend.”
Alison was preceded in death by her parents Harold and Pat (Sleighter) Nicolo, her stepfather William Nicolo, her brother Daniel Sleighter, her husband Terry Barnes, her husband Gerald Eklund and her stepson Eric Eklund. She leaves behind her children Jason Barnes and Teresa Barnes, as well as her beloved grandchildren, Nadia Hoffhines and Gunnar Davis. She is survived by her sister Rhonda Sleighter, her brothers Steven Sleighter and his wife Anne, and Paul Nicolo, her cousin Laurel McFarland, and her stepdaughter Jennifer Kildow and her children Marissa and Zane. Alison is remembered by Carla and Aubrie Gray who considered her their Grandma.
Pursuant to Alison’s wishes, there will not be a memorial service. For those that wish to make a memorial donation, the family suggests Gunnar’s wrestling group, the Cordova Pounders Wrestling Club, c/o Coach Seth Balint, P.O. Box 346, Cordova, AK 99574.
Arrangements were made by the Cremation Society of Alaska.
