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Celebrate The Life of Vi Redington

April 8, 2006

by Iditarod Staff

03/31/2006

A celebration of the very special life of Violet Elizabeth Redington will begin on Saturday, April 8, 2006 at the Wasilla Multi Sports Complex at 2 pm. “Vi” was born on July 17, 1924 in Kintnersville, PA. She said goodbye to her children and grandchildren on March 4th, 2006, as her grandson Ryan was preparing to leave 4th Avenue in Anchorage “headed up the trail” to Front Street in Nome.

In 1948, the “little Pennsylvania girl” hit the road to Alaska with her husband Ray Redington and brother in law Joe, to begin an adventure of a lifetime.

On the way to Alaska, they picked up their very first sled dog and hauled him all the way to “Sunny Knik,” where they settled. The marriage of Vi and Ray only lasted a handful of years. In 1953, Vi and Joe decided to “turn Wasilla upside down” and the two were married by Magistrate Mae Carter. Shortly after their marriage, they settled in on a homestead at Flathorn Lake. Joe learned to fly, and Vi learned to wash clothes in a boat on the lake.

Vi Redington raised children, doted over grandchildren and humbly presided over the “Iditarod Trail” legacy her husband left with the grace of a true matriarch. She loved her garden, her dogs and the rich history of the town site of Knik. The path she chose in life was one of grace always adorned by the color purple.

The family of Vi Redington wants to share their love for “Vi” with everyone who knew or knew of this wonderful woman. They request your presence to partake in an old Alaskan tradition; a potluck get-together.

In that tradition, the Redington Family requests that participants whose last names begin with the letters A-J please bring a main dish of your choice.

If your last name begins with K-R please bring a salad of your choice.

If your last name begins with S-Z please bring a desert of your choice.

The festivities will include lots of storytelling and a very special appearance from Alaska’s official Balladeer, Hobo Jim.

Please feel free to wear purple… it is VI’s favorite color!