Anchorage Senate candidate Bob Roses said Wednesday he was suspending campaign activities through Sunday because of the death of his wife, Beverly.

A statement issued by the campaign Wednesday evening said Beverly Roses died Tuesday of complications from Alzheimer's disease. She had recently entered a nursing home.

The couple had been married 44 years.

Roses, a Republican, is running against incumbent Bill Wielechowski, a Democrat, in District G (Muldoon, College Gate, Russian Jack and the Elmendorf portion of Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson).

The statement said Beverly Roses came to Alaska as a young girl in 1952. She graduated from East High and Alaska Methodist University and was a math teacher.

The family will hold a private service followed by a public celebration of life Oct. 13.