Our hearts are sad with the loss of our Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, Great-great grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Cousin, and a best friend anyone could ask for. Minnie’s life began on a raft traveling the mighty Yukon River to George Nollner & Matilda Jimmie. They lived a indigenous life along the Yukon, summer & winter camp. Sorrow came to Minnie’s life at a tender age of 6. Her father, George passed when his dog team fell through the ice. When she was about 8, her mother passed to a small pox epidemic. Minnie took care of her siblings until they found homes and she was sent to live with her Aunt Agnes in Galena.
Around the age of 10, she was sent to a Catholic orphanage in Holy Cross, Alaska. She had a pet bear named Malga that she and the children raised from a cub till full grown. Minnie was thankful to the priests and nuns who raised her; they taught her how to cook, bead, sew, garden, trap & fish. She left Holy Cross at the age of 18, and moved to Fairbanks. While waitressing, she met and married Amos Alford, Minnie was blessed with Arthur (Bunny), Mary (Patty) and Ruth. They moved their young family to Indiana. Minnie missed her beloved Alaska, and moved back in 1949. She worked several jobs to support her young children, and worked so hard she came down with “TB” and was put in the hospital away from her children for a long year. Upon returning to her children she became a professional seamstress. In 1957, she won a national sewing competition. She was awarded a Singer sewing machine, which she used until she left Alaska 3 1/2 years ago. She made parkas for Shirley Temple Black and her husband John Black.
Minnie married Robert Robertson in 1961. Together they raised her older children. They were blessed with Robert (Robbie), and a daughter Robin, who passed at 11 days from heart complication. Minnie and Bob moved from Fairbanks to Juneau in 1971. She became executive housekeeper for The Baranoff Hotel, a Sheffield Enterprise. In 1975 they moved their family to Anchorage and remained there until 1978. They retired in Friday Harbor, Wa. Minnie knew everyone in Friday Harbor, she would start walking six miles to town at 5 a.m., someone would pick her up and take her to The Island Convalescent Center. She was the head housekeeper. She worked there until her so-called retirement. Minnie informed her husband she had to move back to her beloved Alaska.
She moved to 521 Noyes St., Fairbanks. She was in all her glory, fishing, moose hunting & berry picking. She took a special trip with her sister, Margaret Patrick & Dan. They took her to Bear Creek, on the Yukon, which was their camp when they were little. Jimmy & Ann Carlo took her camping. She also loved to sing Traditional Indian Songs with Florence Keyes & Poldine Carlo. This was her summer activities. In the winter she would spend her time in the lower 48, visiting her family in Washington, Oregon, California, Indiana and Florida.
Three & half years ago, Minnie went to Florida for a visit, and became very ill. She remained living with her daughter, Sharon. Together they did all the fun things they loved to do: garage sales & second-hand stores, many trips to the beach. Every night they would feed cats that were abandoned.
Minnie was in National Geographic Magazine twice, featuring The Stickdance. She was a member of The American Legion. Minnie is survived by her sisters : Margaret Patrick (Dan), Marion Baker Owens, Margaret Agnes (Henry). Her children: Mary Mathias Seward, Ruth Sanders, Sharon Nall, Carmen Olund (Ron), Marlys Powers, Bethlea Holms (Kenneth), Gloria Gretzinger (Greg), Robert Robertson Jr. (Roberta). Her 19 grandchildren: John Mathias (Nikki), Lisa Nash (Scott), Tonya Mathias (Don), Zack Sanders, Anthony Nall, Sherri Kincaid, Gayle Eckert (Russ). Wade Eckert (Jennifer), Leah Hines (Joe), Jolie Phillips (Nick), Dawn Stephenson (Luke), Greg Eckert. Jason Powers, Kip Fanning (Tamara), Ric Gartner (Helen), Adam Gretzinger (Ryan) Sarah Gretzinger (Mike), Arthur & Laurel Robertson. Her 28 great-grandchildren: Madison, Lauren, Chad, Macy Mathias, Kayla Lomax, Michael Mathias, Amanda McTierman, Brianna Burgess, Brittney Kincaid, Lance (Charlene) Kincaid, Lyndy Kincaid, Victoria Fuller, Brittney Eckert, Kylie, Carissa Evan Eckert, Justin, Madison, Rick Hines, Ethan Chapman, Kai, Seth Phillips Parker, Sawyer Stephenson, Skyla,Celina,Sierra, Jason Jr. Powers, Gemma Gretzinger
Her 4 great-great grandchildren: Jacob Parrott, Trigger Bates, Danica, Layla Kincaid Many beloved nieces & nephews & cousins. Minnie has joined her heavenly loved ones: Father, George Nollner; Mother, Matilda Jimmie; Sisters: Rita Monahan and Jenny Silas; Brothers: Ralph Perdue (Dorothy) Leo Kriska (Delores), Austin Esmailka, Gilford Monroe and Hughey Kriska. Beloved former husbands: Amos Alford and Robert Robertson Sr.. Son Arthur (Bunny) Monroe; infant daughter: Robin Robertson; grandson Ronald Powers Jr.; Son-in-law Ronald Powers Sr.; Best Friends Florence Keyes & Ann Carlo. A Celebration of Minnie’s life will be held July 7, 2016 at Chief David Salmon Tribal Hall 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
