Thelma Schrank Receives Lifetime Service Award

Photo courtesy of NPS.

Thelma Schrank and Bev Goad in front of the Nebesna Ranger Station, 1983 and 2010.

By Meg Jensen - Copper Center

Long time Slana resident Thelma Schrank has been awarded the Harry Yount Lifetime Service Award by the Association of National Park Rangers (ANPR).

Thelma began her illustrious, 36 year, National Park Service career in 1983, handing out information to visitors to the new park from a wall tent on the Nabesna Road. Over the years, she welcomed a long line of National park employees to Wrangell St. Elias National Park & Preserve and assisted them in all manner of things necessary for their success in the wilds of the Nabesna District.

Thelma routinely opened her home to many and offered food, friendship, and counsel at all hours of the day and night. She made sure rangers and work crews returned from their daily assignments and were secure and safe. She provided much needed knowledge of local conditions and served as a liaison with the Slana community.

Photo courtesy Merrill Worden

Her knowledge of the Slana area places and people and willingness to share it was invaluable to visitors and rangers alike. As park employees came and went Thelma remained steadfast in her service until her retirement in 2019.

On October 16, 2022, the Association of National Park Rangers recognized Thelma for her dedication, positive outlook and commitment to excellence by awarding her the Harry Yount Lifetime Achievement Award. Thelma consistently demonstrated the highest level of “Rangering” required for this recognition.

Disclosure: The Nation- al Park Service is a Copper River Record advertiser.