July 24, 2025

Margaret Anderson, born in Seward, Alaska, passed peacefully in her sleep on June 18th at the age of 92.

Margaret’s parents, Eva and Ed Lindsey, arrived in Seward, Alaska, on the M/V Alaska in August of 1923 — the year the Alaska Railroad opened up from Seward to Fairbanks. Her father was employed by the Railroad and stationed in Seward. Margaret spent her first 3 years living in a roundhouse located in the barren landscape of the railroad yard near the switching station.

She graduated from Seward High School in 1951, married Raymond C. Anderson of Chignik
Lagoon, Alaska, in 1953 and had 4 children, Gene, Neil, Dean and Rhonda.

While Margaret became an esteemed bookkeeper, she and Ray worked diligently as
independent business owners. Throughout their married life they owned and operated a fuel distribution business for Texaco in Seward. In 1973 they purchased and operated a seafood processing plant in Seward. Then operated six different commercial fishing and tender vessels in the herring, salmon and crab fisheries around Alaska. Together they pioneered the processing of herring in Alaska and eventually became one of the world’s largest exporters of herring roe to Japan.

In the spring of 1978 Margaret’s husband died in a mid-air plane collision spotting herring in Togiak, Alaska. Margaret worked grievingly for the next ten years settling Ray’s estate, establishing new case law in the process on his workman’s comp claim. Then due to various
maritime accidents that occurred on their vessels in a span of 18 months, she found herself further consumed with four insurance claims taking years to settle. Margaret eventually sold
her business operations and shepherded her children into commercial fishing careers around Alaska.

Margaret continued as an active social and community member, serving Seward as a City
Council member, Planning and Zoning Commissioner, and local hospital board representative. She was a long-standing Rotary member and held position on the following boards and committees: Resurrection Lutheran Church, Kenai Peninsula Boys and Girls Club, the Seward Community Foundation, Seward Area Hospice, and Seward Mariner’s Memorial.

Margaret was a generous donor to local causes and always put the “fun” into fund-raising auctions, bidding up prices with the sly hope of not winning. She had the gift of generous hospitality, reputed for delicious meals and fellowship parties with family and friends.

Margaret remained vibrant and colorful into her later years of life, enjoying visits from family
and a plethora of friends who would gladly help with her affairs whenever needed. She
journaled daily to keep her memory fresh, adhered to her faith, and prayed fervently over her children, 9 grandchildren, respective spouses, and 12 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held in Seward on August 30th at 1 p.m. at Resurrection
Lutheran Church with a reception following at the Gateway Hotel at 2:30. Memorial or legacy gifts may be donated in her name to a choice of those entities she once served.