Luther Leraan Paine

Jul 25, 1930 -

Jul 7, 2020

Our beloved and loving husband, dad, friend, dentist, adventurer and humble caregiver, Luther Paine, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, July 7, 2020, in Sun Lakes, Ariz. He was surrounded by his wife, Marylin, and children Susie, Brent and Lindsay.

Fondly referred to as Lu, he was born in Indianapolis, Ind., on July 25, 1930, and grew up in Milwaukee, Wis., graduating from Country Day High School in 1948. He graduated from St. Olaf College in 1952, and Marquette Dental School in 1956. He joined the U.S. Air Force as a dentist in 1957, and was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska.

Lu fell in love with Alaska, and after serving in the U.S. Air Force, he homesteaded 80 acres just south of Anchorage. In 1959, Lu began his nearly 40-year dental career. His tooth-shaped business cards appropriately read, "Luther L. Paine, DDS, Compassionate Dentistry." For those 40 years and beyond, Lu never stopped growing as a dentist, caring for his patients' total health, by, among other things, helping to pioneer awareness of the health dangers of traditional silver/mercury amalgam fillings. Dr. Paine was passionate about being the very best dentist that he could be, for each of his patients' unique needs.

Lu enjoyed his early years in Anchorage, as a founding member of the Anchorage Ski club at Arctic Valley, as an avid fisherman and hunter, skating on the York Steel Men's Hockey team, and gentleman-about-town. He began several decades of service - a few highlights - serving Lutheran Social Services in various capacities, serving as a dentist in rural Alaska, aka "the Bush," and an extended dental mission to Madagascar in 1962. In those years, he formed many lifelong friendships which he cherished and maintained until his last days in this world. His friends were so very dear and important to him, and he loved them so.

In 1962, he met the woman who would be the love of his life for his remaining 57 years on earth - Marylin. Once married in 1963, he convinced her that moving to Alaska with their family of her four children would be grand. In 1964, Lindsay was born, and thus his family was complete.

His love of adventure and the outdoors led him, and his family, to begin exploring Kachemak Bay, Alaska, in the late '60s. Here, he had the vision and laid the foundation for what became, and remains to this day, the place that is the hub of the Paine family's joy and heart and soul; fostering the love of the ocean and each other, and a deep adoration of that beautiful corner of God's creation.

Luther Leraan Paine - He loved his family fiercely. He loved his wife, Marylin, the love of his life for 57 years, deeply and completely and beautifully. He loved God and his faith. He loved music and shared that gift with his family. He loved Alaska. He loved to laugh and to share joy with others. He loved all kinds of jokes. He believed and taught his family that it is more important to be kind than to be right. He chose humility over recognition. He loved to help people. He loved life. He lived by, with and for, Love.

What a wonderful life he led, created for his family and shared with all who knew him.

Luther was preceded in death by his beloved sons, Marcus and John; his parents, Wendell and Gudrun; and his brother, Wyman. He is survived by Marylin; Susie (Corey); Brent (Jenni); Lindsay (Laura); 10 wonderful and dearly loved grandchildren, Lucas, Rachel, Scott, Taylor, Kai, Lars, Margot, Ella, Thomas and Johnny; and two precious great-grandchildren, Gemma and Espen.

Lu's wishes were that his ashes be scattered in Kasitsna Bay, mixed with the ashes of Marc and John, and when that day comes, Marylin.

Rest in God's Peace, faithful and humble servant.