Dzeitgé Wilma Elaine Bacon passed on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the Sitka Pioneers Home. She was 83.
Wilma was born April 23, 1942, in Sitka, the youngest child born to Kaal.átk’ Charlie and Aanyaanáx Tláa Annie Joseph.
She went to school in Sitka, and later both she and her husband, Harlan Leo Bacon, graduated from Oregon Institute of Technology in 1985. Wilma received her associate’s degree in accounting, human resources and paralegal secretary. She worked for SEARHC, first in admitting and then after receiving her degree worked in Human Resources, until she retired.
She and Leo were married in 1962 and together raised their seven children: Michael, Steven, Gillian, Christian, Charlie, Leota and Zane.
Preceding her in death were her husband Leo Bacon; sons Steven Cary Bacon and Zane Joel Bacon; and her great-grandson, Damien Bacon Tau.
Also preceding her in death were her siblings, Daasdiyáa Ethel Makinen, Kaax’áxooskaa Lillian Morrison, Yeideikín Annie McGraw, Kaanaxtí Charlie Joseph Jr., Shduwóos’ Jacob Joseph, Ták’aa Willian Joseph and Daas.oox Esther James.
Wilma is survived by her son Michael Bacon, Anchorage, and his children and grandchildren; daughter Gillian Havrilla, Anchorage, and her children and grandchildren; son Christian Bacon, Lewiston, Idaho, and his wife Louise and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; son Charlie Bacon, Sitka, and his wife Frankie and their children and grandchildren; daughter Leota Bagby, Anchorage, and her children and grandchildren; and the children of Zane Bacon. Her sister, Ganóotl'i Loretta Ness, Sitka, also survives.
Wilma enjoyed gathering her Native seafoods with family, being on the water, spending time at the cabin in St. John’s, and picking berries. And nothing made her happier than watching her sons and grandchildren playing team sports such as basketball, softball and baseball.
She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Alaska Native Sisterhood, and served on committees at Sitka Tribe of Alaska. She enjoyed participating in the Sitka Dart League on the Columbia Bar dart team (The Bitches).
Wilma was baptized in St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral, and her church name was Valentina.
Services will be as follows: cultural services will be held 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, at the Coho House, Kayaashka Hít, where she will lie in state. Church services will be held 4 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at St. Michael’s Cathedral. A celebration of her life will be held at the Elks Lodge following the church services. Attendees are welcome to bring a dish to share. She will be interred at Sitka National Cemetery.
Wilma’s pallbearers will be Austin Bacon, Tristan Bacon, Ed Young, Roger Ness Jr., Robert Lindstrom, Lucas Arnold, Wyatt Ojala and Timothy Bernard.
Honorary pallbearers are Harvey Kitka, Ron James, Daniel Pena, Deylon Bacon, Jim Button, Earl Williams Jr. and Logan Bacon.
Night watch will be Alfreda Lang, Donna Lang, Gina Kitka, Cyndi Cassedy, Laura Castillo, Randi Castillo, Jessica Oberg, Diana Morris, Kerri Bacon, Sheridan Bacon, Frankie Bacon, Heather Mills, Angie Keetah and Tammy Young.
