Obituaries
Sept. 18, 1969 ~ August 6, 2021
Aqeftapaaggaq Rena Jennifer, aka Aqet, was born September 18, 1969 in Nome, AK to Bruce and Rhoda Boolowon. Anxiously awaiting were her older siblings Elden, Seymour and Rhona. Rena lost her baby status to her sisters Reva, then Mary, brother Shannon and finally Shawn.
Rena graduated high school from Gambell High School in 1989. During high school she was a basketball star and an honor student. She went to college at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She took a break from school and in 1993 she married David A. Booshu and together they had three beautiful children Lonny, Emery and Kalynna.
She was a health aide for years where she discovered her love of health and healing; healing herself and others. In 2001, she moved to Nome with her family. She was a Medical Coder, Quality Assurance for VHS, a volunteer EMT and Phlebotomist for NSHC many years. She earned her Associates of Applied Science in Community Health in 2007 from the Northwest Community College/UAF.
Rena and David raised three champion wrestlers. She was a “Mama Bear”’ for the Nanooks. She was very active with fundraisers, chaperoning and helping at wrestling meets, whether it be cooking or scoring. Rena was a great cook. She hunted, cut, stored
and cooked traditional St Lawrence Island foods. She would often ask if her loved ones and friends were hungry and invite them over to eat. She was taught by her mother and mother-in-law. She cared so much for everyone. She considered her great nieces and nephews as her grandchildren, too. She named three of them Qayutaq, Ulaaghnarraggaq and in memory Amaaghaq.
Aqet is survived by her husband, children Itek, Pangus and Areka; parents Ekaaya and Isikwha, fatherin-law Wilbur Tuusaq, siblings Seymour, Bunnie and Wawiita, Ukaaq and kids, Yayu and Qam, Rocky, Uncle Dexter I, Rosemary and Denny family, Ruby and kids, Clinton B. and kids. Many nephews, nieces, great nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins.
She is preceded in death by her mother-in-law Alyne Taqaanga, siblings Elden B., Shannon B., nephews Bobby B., Shannon A., grandparents Lewis B. and (Samuel I) Mary B.; Ina (Ilene) and Harold K., uncles Gerard, Ben, aunts Marjorie, Donna, Rachel, Ila, Judy; sister-in-law Karen B. Rena passed away with her loved ones by her side on Friday, August 6, 2021. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
The family would like to thank the community of Gambell, Native Village of Gambell, Norton Sound Health Corporation, Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, Chapel of Chimes, Ryan W, Lily and Chelsea M, Joy
S., George K., Elizabeth D., Danielle S., Orlan G., George M., Carolyn, Jenna, Lisa A, Aaron I, Carmel, Yimi, Petu, Krystal H, Delia O, and to all who supported us in any way, shape, or form that we may have forgotten.
Mary Dora Ahnangnatoguk November 30, 1964 ~March 28, 2021
Mary Dora Ahnangnatoguk was born in Nome Alaska on November 30, 1964 to Francis Kakoona and Clara Kingik. Very shortly thereafter she was adopted to Ira and Elsie Ahnangnatoguk.
Mary, known as Beepsie to many, lived and loved a subsistence lifestyle where she took pride in gathering and preparing for the long winter months. Although she might have worked in many high and low jobs, the best job she ever had was being a grandmother. In her spare time, you’d find her either baking or cooking in the kitchen, walking along the beaches for glass rocks, at camp or her humble home surrounded by family and friends. She was one who enjoyed adventure, family and life in general.
Mary is survived by her loving husband Clifford, daughters Clara, Rhonda, Amanda, Darlene and Karen; mothers Clara and Elsie; father Francis; siblings Stella, Freddie, Riley Jr, Tony and Darlene, Gordon and Justine, Andrew, George, Jane, Ward, May, James and Helen; also sons that she welcomed in: Arnold, Conrad, Michael, Dylan, Brandon and Brian; also 15 grandchildren Zachary, Victor, Marilyn, Malissa, Keith, Aaron, Zander, Thelma, Lillianna, Clifford, Trent, Caleb, Roy, Marlissa and
Terri. ]
Mary has passed on and is now reunited with all her boys Donald, Jeffrey, Aaron and Elton Jr; her dads Riley and Ira, siblings Carol and Chalmer, and grandson Brandon Jr.
Donald William Ahnangnatoguk April 5, 1982 ~ December 11, 2020
Donald William Ahnangnatoguk was born in Nome, Alaska on April 5, 1982 to John Cheemuk Jr. and Mary Ahnangnatoguk. Shortly thereafter, he was adopted to his grandparents, Ira and Elsie Ahnangnatoguk.
Donald, known to most as Ducky, had such a caring and loving heart, in fact so big, he’d take the shirt off his back immediately to any in need. He absolutely loved being out on the boat during the crabbing and fishing season every year. He also enjoyed his time out in the country and at camp. Nevertheless, he was extremely outgoing, very humorous and a great person to hang out with.
Donald is survived by his sons Zachary and Victor; his mom Mary (who he later greeted and welcomed to Heaven) all his sisters Clara, Rhonda, Amanda, Nichole Cheemuk, Darlene and Karen; his brothers Dale Otten and Gordon Cheemuk, along with considered brothers and lifelong best friends Robert and Arnold; step-dad Clifford; grandmothers Clara and Elsie; extended aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews across Alaska; numerous friends and close friends.
Donald has passed on and is now reunited with his brothers Jeffrey, Aaron and Elton Jr; dads John and Ira; grandparents John and Mary, aunt Carol, uncle Chalmer and nephew Brandon Jr.