Homer Alaska - Obituaries

As a young man Nick helped his father build and operate a fish trap near Ninilchik. Later, with his brother Joe, cousins and other friends, he built and operated several traps on Cook Inlet until they were outlawed when Alaska became a state. In 1933, when fishermen went on strike because of low fish prices, he helped his father mine gold along the banks of Cook Inlet. He said he made $1,000 that summer, perhaps a fortune during the Depression era. He also had a dog team, trapped for furs and hunted, and was very fond of his horse "Billy." In 1946, he noticed Marian Broady, who had answered God's call on her life by coming to Ninilchik with her twin sister Margaret to assist with missionary work. They courted, married the following year and raised three sons. Their family began setnet fishing in 1959 near Ninilchik Point, in the area he last fished with a trap. Nick and Marian retired from the family sites after the 2008 season.

Mr. Leman was a member, deacon and treasurer at Ninilchik Gospel Chapel, now Calvary Baptist Church; served on the advisory school board for Ninilchik School; was a longtime member of the Solid Rock Bible Camp board of directors; and served on the original KSRM Radio board of directors. He also was a member of Kenai Peninsula Fishermen's Association, Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association and Ninilchik Native Descendants. He loved music and was an accomplished guitarist in both traditional and old Russian tuning. If he heard it, he could play it. He often accompanied church congregational singing with his guitar and he loved to play guitar and sing for visitors at his home. His other interests included crossword puzzles, local history and photographs, fish trap catch records, his children and later in life, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

His family said, "Dad was one of Alaska's unique, unforgettable characters. He was tough, often impatient, yet generous and compassionate. He had an outgoing personality, never met a stranger, and would tell a story to anyone who would listen. Dad valued Ninilchik history and loved to tell it to others. He was especially proud of his part in the fish trap era of Alaska fisheries and of his mining heritage. Dad was a good provider for his family, lived his faith, and shared it with his children, grandchildren and others."

Mr. Leman was preceded in death by his wife Marian; their infant daughter, Esther Ruth; sister Marie "Mae" Leman; brother Harry Leman; and parents, Joe and Irene (Cooper) Leman. He is survived by sons, Wayne (Elena) of Spokane, Wash., Loren (Carolyn) of Anchorage, and Mark (Shelle) of Cohoe; grandchildren, Karen Gilstrap of Spokane, Esther Errington of Plano, Texas, Deborah Petersen of Cincinnati, Ohio, James Leman of Spokane, Wash., Joseph Leman of Anchorage and McChord AFB, Rachel Brandt of Anchorage, Nicole and Havilah Leman of Anchorage, and Erik and Justin Leman of Cohoe; 11 great-grandchildren; sister Juanita Bertoson of Seattle; brother Joe Leman and sister Ann Leman of Ninilchik; sister Rose MacSwain of Seward; sister Betty Porter of Kenai; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews and other extended family.

A celebration of his life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, at Carol Bock Hall at the Fairgrounds in Ninilchik. Family visitation and viewing will start at noon. Burial will follow at the American Legion Cemetery. Pastors James Leman and Kit Pherson will officiate. Pallbearers will be Joseph Leman, Erik Leman, Justin Leman, Dan Leman, Joel Brandt, Brian Lee, Dan Lee, Mike DenBleyker and Gary Deiman.

Memorial donations may be made to Ninilchik Emergency Services, P.O. Box 39446, Ninilchik, AK 99639, or Solid Rock Bible Camp, 36251 Solid Rock Road No. 1, Soldotna, AK 99669.