Donna Church, 1935 – 2022
From the Family
Donna Church of Copper Center passed away on January 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. Born to Harold and Louse Bracker, 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 lived several places while Ed worked for the Alaska Road Commission. Trims Camp was her favorite assignment, where she was often feeding and warming travelers when the Richardson Highway was closed. She and Ed homesteaded in Copper Center where they raised their daughter Katrina. She loved farming.
Donna and Ed opened their home to friends and family and had many live with them over the years. Donna helped run their several small businesses. 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 was a fierce advocate for children, especially “her kids,” which was everyone. She and Ed, along with friend Dan Brenden, developed Silver Springs subdivision, her cutting and stacking most of the wood while building the roads.
Donna was also an amazing cook and baker. Her food and pies became known by travelers statewide when they opened Homestead Hospitality Camper Park on the homestead. Visitors would stop years later asking for a slice of Donna’s pie. Every Christmas she would deliver pies and sweet rolls to community members. 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 and Ed traveled during the winters after retirement and she chose to snowbird in Arizona after Ed died. It was in Arizona that she met her other love Wayne McDonald, whom she brought home to Alaska every summer. She loved organizing and cooking resort-wide holiday dinners for everyone at her resort.
Donna was preceded in death by husband Edwin, parents Harold & Louise Bracker, siblings Patricia Scott, Ollie Bracker, and John Bracker. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Katrina & Steve Chmielowski, grandchildren Gerek, Celia, and Mathias Chmielowski, siblings Chuck Bracker, Rick & Rose Bracker, Karen & Rodney Bowling, brothers and sisters in laws Charlie Lindberg, Don & Billie Church, Bill & Ruby Church, Rose Feltz, Alice Caputo, many nieces and nephews, and significant other Wayne McDonald.
Donna wasn’t one to mince words, but she was well respected and loved by those who knew her. A memorial service will be held May 14, 2022, in Glennallen.
