Nov. 14, 1948-Oct. 26, 2009

Diana Ann Shakoske, 60, died Oct. 26, 2009, in Wasilla after a long battle with cancer.

A memorial service was held Saturday at Mat-Su Evangelical Covenant Church in Wasilla.

Shakoske was born on Nov. 14, 1948, in Connecticut, the daughter of Paul and Alta Kelly. In 1980, she moved to Alaska, living in Eagle River, Fairbanks, Salcha and Wasilla.

She was a longtime employee of TelAlaska. She enjoyed quilting, reading, card games and listening to music, and she was a member of the Valley Quilters Guild.

Her family wrote, "Diana was first and foremost 'the mom.' She was married for 20 years, always loyal and loving. She was dedicated and loved her work at TelAlaska. They were her other family. Diana was a devout Christian who believed in the saving grace of the Lord, Jesus Christ. One of her favorite verses was Acts 2:21, 'Whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' Diana will be missed by all who knew her."

She was preceded in death by her father, Paul Kelly; brother, David, and sister, Dawn.

Diana is survived by her husband, James R. Shakoske of Wasilla; son, Rod Earnest of Wasilla; son, Ty Earnest of Panama City, Fla.; son, Steve Kelly-Stahlnecker of Fallon, Nev.; son, Jeremiah Kelly of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; son, Timothy Kelly-Stahlnecker of Anchorage; daughter, Lori Larson of Anchorage; son-in-law, Darrick Larson of Anchorage; stepdaughter, Angla Edmonds of Virginia Beach, Va.; stepdaughter, Teresa Stark of North Highland, Calif.; stepson, James M. Shakoske of Moose Creek; grandson, Cory Earnest; mother, Alta Pecore of Wasilla; stepfather, James Pecore of Wasilla; sister, Denise Thompson of Wasilla; brother-in-law, J.T. Thompson of Wasilla; sister, Dalene Pinkley of Chugiak; and brother-in-law, James Pinkley of Chugiak.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.