Thorall championed dipnet fishery

A celebration of his life is planned for March 16, 2009, in Chisana.

Ivan was born March 16, 1913, in Mapleton, Ore. He came to Alaska in 1940, logging, trapping, mining and working construction. When World War II started, Ivan enlisted and worked on Ladd AFB (now Fort Wainwright) as a staff sergeant. After the war, Ivan proved up on three homesteads: on Badger Road, on the upper Chena River and lastly in Chisana, southeast of Northway. Ivan surrounded himself with friends and family on his property in Chisana.

Ivan lived with various members of the Eugene V. Miller family in Fairbanks when he was not at his homesteads or working. His last years were spent in the care of Chuck Miller of Anchorage, who became like a son to him.

Ivan was the first lifetime member of Tanana Valley Sportsman’s Association and a Lifetime member of the NRA. Ivan was a member of the Fairbanks Carpenters Union until retiring in 1978. He was active with Alaska Fish and Game. He was appointed to the Fish and Game Board from 1971-1976 under Gov. Bill Egan, and then elected chairman of the board by its members. Ivan was influential in establishing the Alaska resident dipnet fishery in Chitina. Ivan also helped the Kenai dipnetters start their fishery.

In recent years, Ivan made an invaluable contribution to the University of Alaska with his endowment of an archive of original films documenting unique events in Alaska’s history. This project gave evidence of his love of Alaska and his keen interest in preserving its resources, especially its wildlife and remote wilderness.

Ivan was just as vivacious during the last half of his life. He quit smoking at 68, learned to fly when he was 76, bought two different Cessnas, shot his last moose at 88, flew his plane until he was 90, drove until he was 94.

Those closest to him remember his quiet, kind manner, generosity, impeccable honesty, his wit and stories of life in Alaska, including true stories of bygone Territorial days. Living life fully until his last days, Ivan was an example to all.

He will be greatly missed. However, his spirit and Alaskan legacy live on in those he touched.

Ivan is survived by his nephew and wife, Ken Thorall and Jill of Big Lake; Ken’s son, Pat Thorall; Ivan’s grandneice, Arlene McKay; nephew, Dan Thorall, niece, Catherine Deubell; and Chuck and Patti Miller and Chuck’s four children, Stacia, Kale, Leland and Cecilia; Barbara Despain, Eric and Nancy Larsen, and many other friends too numerous to mention.

Ivan’s remains will be buried next to his parents, Johanna and Julius Thorall, and brothers, Ken and Vernon in Deary, Idaho. Ivan is also predeceased by his sisters Edna Beard and Verna Wright.

Special mention should given to Dr. Quier and the staff at the Anchorage VA Clinic, the staff at Elmendorf Hospital and Connie Tapscott who brought comfort to Ivan over his last years and final days.

Visit the online memorial at legacy.com