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Juneau resident Johanna "Jo" Marie (Peck) Brensdal died peacefully Nov. 3, 2009, at Cordova Medical Center. She was 74.

Born Sept. 15, 1935, in Angoon, she was the daughter of the late Dr. Cyrus E. Peck Sr. and Sophie Fred Peck. Her Tlingit name was Seiltin, of the Deishitaan clan (Raven Beaver) of Angoon, tukka'hit (Needle Fish House).

She graduated in 1954 from Juneau-Douglas High School, and on Oct. 11, 1954, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy. She was certified as a dental technician class "A" at the U.S. Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Ill.

She met and married Vance E. Webster in 1958 in San Diego, and they had three children: Dorothy Vaune, Vance Eugene Jr. and Elena Rae Webster. On Aug. 27, 1977, she married Harry T. Brensdal in Angoon. She was a member of the American Legion and Southeast Alaska Native Veterans and shown her pride of service by participating many years in the Fourth of July parade as well as supporting Veteran organizations. She was a lifetime member of Angoon Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 7. In 1996, she retired from the state.

According to her friends, family and recent caregivers, Jo was spirited and independent. She and Harry enjoyed many baseball games and touring the United States together. She also loved needle work, reading, fishing, time with family and friends, and traveling. Her sense of humor will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded by her parents; son, Vance Webster Jr.; daughter, Elena Rae (Webster) Isturis; and husband, Harry T. Brensdal.

She is survived by her daughter, Dorothy Vaune Webster; brothers, Cyrus Peck Jr. and Ray Peck; adopted brother, Gill Lucero; many cousins of the Deishetaan clan; and grandchildren, Ryan Goemez, Jolee Marie and Cyrus Isturis, and Vance and Ray Webster.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at Northern Light United Church, with a small reception following. Honoring her request she was cremated and interred alongside her son.