Obituary from the Fairbanks, Alaska "Daily News-Miner" newspaper, dated Wednesday, May 12, 2010, page B-2:

Rita Alexander, 78, went home to the mansion her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ prepared for her on Tuesday, May 11, 2010, at 8:37 a.m. surrounded by family and friends singing "Amazing Grace," "Doxology" and "When He Reached Down His Hands For Me."

Rita was born March 22, 1932, to Moses and Bessie Charlie. She was raised in North Fork and Old Minto.

Rita was a dog musher, hunted, fished, made birch bark baskets and beaded items. She loved to pick berries. Rita was employed at Tanana Hospital in the early 1950s. She later worked as nurse's aide at St. Joseph's Hospital in Fairbanks, Pioneer Laundry, Alaska Native Language Center at University of Alaska Fairbanks and Native Association Graf Healing Place/Adolescent Residential Treatment Center.

Rita was instrumental in praying for the Minto Revival in 1972. She was a true apostle who mentored new believers in Christ. Rita served on the Women's Club of Minto and was founder and board member of Golden Heart Ministries. One of the greatest joys Rita had was to travel with the gospel and sharing the good news of Christ and eating her native food. Rita had a heart for the homeless and desired that her belongings be given to Fairbanks Native Association for the homeless.
At age 23, on January 30, 1956, Rita was married to Fred Alexander of Cross Chacket at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church by Rev. Richard Lambert. Rita's maid of honor was her childhood friend Lorraine (Rainey) Burchard.

Rita was preceded in death by her children Douglas Alexander, Maxine Alexander, Charlene Kettelson, Marvin Alexander; parents Bessie and Moses Charlie; brothers Godfrey Charlie, Timothy Charlie, Cerosky Charlie, Lige Charlie Sr.; sisters Charlotte Charlie, Dorothy Titus and adopted sister Margaret.

Rita is survived by her husband of 54 years, Fred Alexander; children Roger Alexander, Hubert Alexander, Janice Fedosh (Mike) grandchildren; Deborah Matson, Greg Ketelson, Bessie Stearman, Stephanie Big Joe, Skye Juneby, April Pulido, Kyle Alexander and Kiefer Alexander; great-grandchildren April Matson, Andrew Big Joe, Janet Pulido, Linea Stearman, Maxine Stearman, Joy Stearman, Sophia Parks and Grace Parks; brothers Neal Charlie Sr., Robert Charlie and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be today, May 12, 2010, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home.
Funeral service will be in Minto Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 2 p.m. Published in Daily News-Miner on May 12, 2010.