Petersburg Pilot -

Sharol Annette Lind Otness, 67, passed away July 6, 2015. The daughter of Gerald Justin Lind and Ethel Jean Lampman Lind, she was born on June 29, 1948. Shari was a lifelong resident of Petersburg, Alaska, and both her arrival and departure were at the Petersburg hospital.

Shari graduated from Petersburg High School in 1966. She and Alan Otness were married at the Petersburg Lutheran Church on September 2, 1967. She graduated from Oregon State University in 1970 with a BA in Home Economics and earned her MS in Clothing and Textile Design with an emphasis on Tlingit Button Blankets in 1979.

After several years working in Oregon, Alan and Shari moved back to Petersburg in 1975, and Shari taught home economics. In 1976 they built their house directly across from Tonka Mountain, just seven miles out the road from downtown Petersburg. Their daughter Kari was born on April 13, 1977.

Shari taught home economics until 1979 when she and Alan bought the F/V Commander and the family went fishing. Shari worked as deckhand and cook aboard the Commander. When Kari was 14, Shari announced she was going ashore. Over the years they had begun marketing and processing some of their catch. This effort became Tonka Seafoods. Alan continued fishing while Shari and Wendell Gilbert ran the plant. Her home economic skills came into play as she developed and marketed tasty soups and dips using the products produced by Tonka Seafoods.

Shari managed the family business and domestic life with the ease of a born administrator. Her beautiful home welcomed everyone, and she was always ready to help with a wedding dress or to organize children's parties and holiday meals.

Shari was a member of Petersburg's quilting sisterhood and her passion for service included 20 years of involvement with the Rotary Youth Exchange Program.

Shari was preceded in death by her mother Ethel.

She is survived by her father Gerald Justin Lind; husband Alan Denig Otness; daughter Kari Otness Baekkelund; son-in-law Peter Otto Baekkelund; and grandchildren Jonas Otness Baekkelund and Anna Tova Bakkelund. Shari leaves an extended family of in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Shari is also survived by more than 40 Rotary exchange students whose lives she touched over the years and who considered her to be mom or grandma.

A memorial service was held on July 14 at the Petersburg Lutheran Church with Pastor Mike Schwarte officiating.

Memorial donations can be sent to: Shari Otness Rotary Youth Exchange Fund, c/o Petersburg Rotary Club, P.O. Box 1172, Petersburg, AK 99833.