Gail Ann Somerville
February 13, 1944 - May 22, 2021

We are all saddened by the news of Gail's passing this past week.  Gail was a cherished long-time volunteer at the Eagle River Nature Center.  When Gail walked into the Nature Center with her enormous smile and positive energy, everyone around her lit up.  She made all our special events, from our annual auctions to our Historic Iditarod Days and Night with the Stars, so much fun.  We always laughed that Gail could not erase her smile even when we were posing for a circa 1918 group photo that we wanted everyone to take on a serious face. 

Gail spent 35 years as a teacher at Denali Elementary School and volunteered for many years for the Iditarod, the Last Frontier Motorcyle Club, and the Eagle River Nature Center.  She was cherished by her family and all her students and friends.  A special event will never be the same without Gail.  You brought joy to so many of us.  Thank you Gail.

We will have a Celebration of Gail's Life at the Nature Center later this summer. 

Eagle River Rotary members Felix, Krystine, Rusty and Melody helped us clean up one of our long neglected garden beds in the parking lot on May 20, 2021.  Rotary members have been helping with this for over 15 years, plus making generous donations to purchase flowers to beautify the entry and deck area.  Thank you also to our summer staff member and garden guru Timothy for heading up the effort and taking this photo.