Anchor Point resident Elisabeth Dorothy Wilsie Aprill died Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer from natural causes. She was 85.
Memorial services will be held in June at a time and place to be announced.
Ms. Aprill was born in Washington on Jan. 29, 1923. She married Joe Leroy Aprill in 1943. At the end of World War II, Mr. Aprill enlisted in the army and was sent to Alaska from 1946 through '47. They lived in Ketchikan, Fairbanks and Anchorage before moving to Anchor Point when Joe was discharged in 1958. In 1961, they built Aprill's Anchor View Motel, Cafe and Bar, now the Anchor River Inn, on the old Phyllis Creasey homestead. Elisabeth ran the motel and cooked meals in the cafe while Joe worked during the week in Anchorage. They sold the business in 1966.
Ms. Aprill began working as a realtor during the years spent in Anchorage. After moving to Anchor Point, she established her own agency, Aprill's Realty, which she ran for 12 years.
After Mr. Aprill's retirement from 22 years of government service and his ordination to the Episcopal priesthood, the couple established St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Homer. They served three churches on the Kenai Peninsula during his years of service: St. Augustine's, St. Peter's in Seward and St. Francis' in Kenai for 15 years. Ms. Aprill was raised to the membership of the Episcopal Society of St. Simeon and St. Anna in honor of her years of service and faithfulness to the church. She lived to see the building of St. Augustine's church in Homer in 2007, a longtime dream for her and Joe.
Ms. Aprill was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Leroy Aprill; and son, Joe Larry Aprill.
She is survived by her son, John Michael Aprill; and daughters-in-law, Terra Colegrove of Anchorage and Jean Banks of Homer.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions should be directed to St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 4274, Homer, AK 99603.
Obituary
