"Annie was a devout born-again Christian who loved music and often sang along with her husband at church services. Later in life, she learned to play the keyboard and enjoyed playing gospel songs. Annie had a keen interest in her heritage and was looked to as one of the more knowledgeable elders from the lake region. She spent her spare time knitting and generously gave away her work as presents. Annie was raised in a subsistence lifestyle and spent much of each summer putting away fish and berries. She had a gentle, caring temperament then endeared her to those whom she knew. Her loss extends beyond immediate family. She will be greatly missed," her family said.

Mrs. Johnson was preceded in death by her five siblings, Michael C. Rickteroff, Michael A. Rickteroff, Daria Regan, Sophie Foss, Logaria Foss, her son, Howie Johnson and grandson, Tory Olsen.

She is survived by her loving husband, Walter Johnson; sons, Trygve Olsen and Johnny Johnson; daughters, Ethel Adcox and Ruth Andree; grandchildren, Linda and Travis Olsen, Debbie Abujbara, John Allen Adcox, Shannon Nanalook, Jessie Johnson, Howie and Deannie Andree; great-grandchildren, Ralph and Trygve Angasan, Tori Talley, Spenser, Conner and Trevor Mannan, Teya and Kira Olsen, Tala and Amira Abujbara, Talon and Tevin Adcox, Shiann, Rhiannon and Johnna Nanalook, and Alissa Phillips.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Friendship Center in Homer or the Alzheimer's Association.

Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.

Jean Keene

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Oct. 20, 1923,-Jan, 13, 2009

Long-time Homer resident, Jean Keene, 85, best known as "The Eagle Lady," died Jan, 13, 2009, of natural causes in the company of close friends at her home on the Homer Spit.

Friends and fans of Jean will toss fish during a ceremonial eagle feeding at 3 p.m. at the Eagle Spot on the Homer Spit on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009. A celebration of her life will be held afterward at 3:30 p.m at Land's End Resort..

Born Oct, 20, 1923, in Aitkin, Min., , Jean grew up on a dairy farm with two sisters and a brother. In her early years, she trained horses and performed stunts as a trick rider for the Red River Rodeo. Jean later worked as a pet groomer, a veterinary assistant and professional truck driver. She also was owner of the Jolly Chef Caf in Minneapolis.

Jean moved to Alaska in 1977 and settled at the Homer Spit Campground where her lifelong fondness for animals grew into an amazing relationship with hundreds of wild bald eagles.

While working at Icicle Seafoods, Jean once brought home some fish heads in a bucket to feed to a couple of eagles on the beach near her home. Feeding surplus fish to the eagles became a winter routine. Each winter, the number of eagles grew. Eventually, 200 to 300 eagles were flying in for her breakfast banquet of cod, salmon and herring.

Jean tossed fish to the eagles every winter morning for more than 30 years, no matter how inclement the weather. A veteran CBS newsman once described her as "perhaps, the toughest bird of them all."

Articles about Jean and her eagles were featured in newspapers and magazines including Life, People, Reader's Digest, USA Today and many foreign publications. She was also depicted in Ripley's Believe It Or Not! and her fascinating life is the subject of an illustrated, biographical book titled, "The Eagle Lady."

Jean's hobbies were halibut fishing, hosting picnics and making raspberry jam for friends and family. Her flower garden won local awards and drew visitors to her yard throughout the summer.

Jean is survived by her son Lonnie, granddaughter Chelsea Keene, and sister, Gloria Danielson, all of Minneapolis.

Two memorial funds have been established for gifts and donations in Jean Keene's name: "The Jean Keene Memorial Fund" would establish a lasting bronze eagle monument in memory of Jean Keene. Wells Fargo Bank Acct. #2527103044. "Share the Spirit, Inc. Jean Keene Memorial Trust" would support an existing fund to feed needy children and their families. Wells Fargo Bank Acct. #6299311321