Contributed by The Leckwold Family
The Leckwold name is known in Anchorage and the Valley for five generations. Martin was the first to arrive around the turn of the previous century, establishing a roadhouse in the four corners of what is now Palmer/Wasilla on a homestead with wife Mattie and their children, Harry, Marcella and Weldon (Archie). Martin and Marcella succumbed to complications from TB while in a Seattle hospital and Mattie moved to Anchorage. She and the boys lived in a home on 4th Avenue that later became The Marx Brothers Café. While helping to expand and grow the community of Knik through farming and road building, Mattie became the first female mail carrier from Chugiak to the Valley, mushing the way through. In her later life, she was very involved in establishing the Pioneer Home, to which she eventually retired.
Harry and Archie split the homestead and Harry built his home above the creek with wife, Barbara, and their four children, Brian, Sandy, Dave and Laurie. Harry was the refrigeration man throughout most of the territory for many years, keeping everyone’s food processing operations running and all the beer on ice in South Central Alaska. He and Barbara were very active in community events and organizations in Palmer. Barbara was a very social person and established and promoted such organizations as The Pioneers, The Masons, Rainbow Girls and DeMolay and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority to name just a few.
Dave grew up and worked in numerous building and contracting positions in the state, excelling in kitchen design and installations and air and water purification. His wife Marjory grew up in Anchorage. She managed a large convenience store in Florida and was the administrator of a homeless shelter for women and children before returning to Alaska. As Harry grew more infirm in his later years, Dave and Marjory became his caregivers until his passing, at which time they built their current home in the KGB area of the Valley.
Today the kids are grown and dispersed throughout the country, and the folks are gone except for Marjory’s mom who is fit and spry at 84 years young and always on the go. Dave and Marjory have camped and fished and traveled all they want, and now feel the desire to give back to the community in some small but significant way, and this past year they have worked with the state of Alaska to license their home as an assisted living residence for dependent seniors. They have an affinity for Alaskan elders and share a real love of this country and their stories in settling this land, and to that end they have named the business: Alaskan Folks Assisted Living Home. Their desire is to give specific, personal, one on one care and assistance to a senior Alaskan or two with warm and friendly attention to their every need. Hospice care is also available.
The home is secluded at the end of a cul-de-sac in a quiet, wooded subdivision just off Knik Goose Bay Road at mile 10.9. The resident has a private room (furnished or unfurnished) and open, furnished living and dining space to stretch and participate in daily activities to promote mental and physical well being. Chauffeuring residents to necessary appointments and leisure activities as need be or as desired is included. The cost is surprisingly affordable and all-inclusive for personal pay residents.
To inquire about availability or for more particulars call Marjory at 907-376-7089 or e-mail at Marjory@mtaonline.net.