Carl C. Anselm Sr. of Pelican died on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, at Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital. He was 85.
Mr. Anselm was born July 25, 1930, in Sitka, the son of Joseph and Nadja Anselm. He attended school through the eighth grade and thereafter worked in Sitka, including fishing with his father on the F/V Cricket until joining the U.S. Army in 1951. He was stationed in Anchorage, and served his country during the Korean War era.
While stationed in Anchorage he met Donya Engelstad, and they married on May 5, 1952. They resided briefly in both Anchorage and then Sitka before settling in Pelican, in 1954, where they raised their family.
After moving to Pelican, Carl started working at the sawmill, which was in operation in the construction of various parts of town. Later, the Pelican Cold Storage, a fish processing plant, opened, and he started working there as well, in 1957. He performed various duties at the plant until it shut down in 2008 and he retired. He was known to be a hard worker and considered a master knife sharpener by all he worked with.
Carl was a longtime member of the Moose Lodge and Elks Lodge, and a 53-year member of the American Legion.
He enjoyed being “The Boss” and spending time with family and friends. He was a competitive card player and hard to beat. He loved music and was known for his skill at playing the spoons.
He will be remembered for his generosity and open door.
Carl is survived by his brothers Marvin Anselm of Vancouver, Wash., William Anselm of Unalakleet and Erwin Anselm of Front Royal, Va.; sisters Caroline Barr of Panama City, Fla., and LuAnn Binford of Bremerton, Wash; and his children Joseph Anselm and Carl “Ace” Anselm Jr. both of Sitka, Corey Anselm of Juneau, and Kimberlie Owens of Juneau.
He also is survived by 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Nadja Anselm; brothers John, Charles and Pete Anselm; wife Donya Anselm; daughters “Carla Gail” Anselm and Carla “Gail” Huff; sons Gerald “Guy” Engelstad and Randall “Red” Anselm; and grandson Michael Jay McGraw.
A celebration of life is pending, tentatively during late summer in Pelican.
The family would like to thank the Pelican EMS volunteers, U.S.C.G. Air Station Sitka staff, Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital medical staff, and the many friends for their care and consideration during this difficult time.
