Emaline "Danny" Swank

June 12, 1922 -

Feb 2, 2020

Emaline "Danny" E. Swank, 97, residing in Anchorage Pioneer Home, passed on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, after an extended bout with dementia. Celebration of Danny's life will be held privately by family at a later date.

Danny began her life's journey born as Emaline La Roche to Edith and Albert La Roche in Waka, Saskatchewan, Canada, on June 12, 1922. Her parents moved from Canada to Michigan and later on to Seattle where she finished high school. Danny, a high school nickname, emerged from school mates thinking Emaline rhymed with Dandelion, thus "Danny." After World War II Danny wanted to pursue her dreams in a new place. Danny and her lifelong friend "Buttons" Novelli made a visit to Anchorage and made it their home. She met her husband Russell there and joined him as he built a number of businesses in Anchorage including Toppers Oil, Toppers Inc. and other business ventures.

When her husband Russell Swank passed away in 1977, Danny inherited and was thrust into being in charge of the businesses which were facing difficult financial times. Danny was joined by her sister and surrounded herself with capable and trustworthy legal counsel, a CPA and property manager, began the struggle to learn to manage the businesses. After some very difficult years, with Danny's innate business sense and an eye for the bottom line, the businesses emerged and cleared all financial encumbrances and flourished.

After successfully managing her businesses for a number of years, Danny phased out of her businesses and began to enjoy an active retirement traveling the world, participating in community affairs, enjoying her condo in Las Vegas, and spending time with her stepchildren.

Danny was preceded in death by two sisters, Ruth Doughty and Jackie Deacon.

She is survived by three stepchildren, Gerry Patton of San Diego, Calif., James and Dan Swank of Houston, Texas; five grandchildren, Lori Sipe of San Diego, Lisa Boogren of Little Lake, Mich., James, Eric and Andrew Swank of Houston; and a number of nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren.

Danny will be remembered as an Alaska Pioneer who was positive, upbeat, optimistic, doggedly determined to succeed and believed in Alaska's potential.