Longtime Copper Valley Resident Donna Church Passed Away January 28th, 2022

  Donna Church, 87 

Donna Church of Copper Center, Alaska, passed away on Jan. 28, 2022, at Chugiak Senior Center Assisted Living, surrounded by her family. She was 87 years old. Donna was known for her boundless energy, work ethic, feisty nature and generous heart. She moved to Alaska in 1958, to work at Tazlina Glacier Lodge near Glennallen, where she met the love of her life, Edwin Church. Donna and Ed married in 1959, and homesteaded in Copper Center, where they raised their daughter Katrina.

Donna Church 

Donna and Ed opened their home to friends and family and had many live with them over the years. She drove over a million miles while operating the mail contract from Copper Center to Chitina for 27 years. She drove the school bus in Copper Center and her former students still remember the music she always played on the bus.

Donna's food and pies became known by travelers statewide when they opened Homestead Hospitality Camper Park on the homestead. She also decorated many beautiful wedding, anniversary and special occasion cakes for friends and family.

Donna was devoted to her family and positively delighted in doting on her three grandchildren. "It's a grandmother's right," you would often hear her say. She snowbirded too in Arizona after retirement, where she met her other love, Wayne McDonald.

Donna was preceded in death by husband, Edwin; parents, Harold and Louise Bracker; siblings, Patricia Scott, Ollie Bracker and John Bracker. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Katrina and Steve Chmielowski; grandchildren, Gerek, Celia and Mathias Chmielowski; siblings, Chuck Bracker, Rick and Rose Bracker, Karen and Rodney Bowling; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Charlie Lindberg, Don and Billie Church, Bill and Ruby Church, Rose Feltz, Alice Caputo; many nieces and nephews; and significant other, Wayne McDonald.

A memorial service will be held on May 14, 2022, in Glennallen, Alaska.