Reuben Moses Mixsooke

Reuben Moses Mixsooke

October 25, 1941 ~ March 25, 2019

Reuben was born in Shaktoolik on October 25, 1941 to Excelia and Franklin Mixsooke.  He passed away on March 25, 2019.

Reuben grew up in Shaktoolik and Fairbanks and went to school in both Wrangell and Mt. Edgecumbe in Sitka. 

Upon graduating from Mt. Edgecumbe High School he moved to Chicago, Illinois and began working for a heat treating company. 

He was drafted to serve in Vietnam in 1964 where he served a two-year tour.  Upon learning that his brother, Raymond, was getting drafted he elected to step in and serve for him, not wanting his brother to have to go to war.  Reuben served his second tour in 1968 to 1969 before stepping on a land mine, ending his time in the Army.  He obtained the rank of Sergeant during his time of service.  Reuben came back to the United States living in Chicago and Seattle working different jobs.

Upon learning of his stepfather’s passing he moved to Unalakleet in 1972 in order to be closer to his mother and brother Raymond.  While living in Unalakleet, Reuben participated in a subsistence lifestyle, fishing and hunting year round.  He was selftaught in trades such as carpentry, mechanics, and also repairing Toyo stoves: free for elders and bartering with others.  He did not limit his abilities and faced any situation that came his way head on.

Reuben served on many boards in Unalakleet such as The Native Village of Unalakleet, the School Board, Search and Rescue, and The Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, to name a few.

Reuben and Sharon married on March 11, 1981 and had seven children: Janice, Max, Cameron, Clayton, Nilson, Shawn and Chaleen.  He made sure to teach his oldest son Max how to hunt and prepare caribou, and the rest of his children how to fish. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Excelia and Franklin Mixsooke, sisters Janice, Evelyn Rout, Rae and brother-in-law Bill Vaughn, brothers Lloyd Takak, Raymond Mixsooke, Nathan Broderwick and sons Reuben Mixsooke Jr. and Raymond C. Cameron Mixsooke.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years Sharon and his children: Janice and Jim Janowiak, Daniel, Janice, Max, Clayton, Nilson, Shawn, and Chaleen Mixsooke; his brother Don and Sherry Takak, sisters Katherine Arca, Laura Swenson, Karen Whiskers; Aunt Frances Charles and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The Nome Nugget

PO Box 610
Nome, Alaska 99762
USA

Phone: (907) 443-5235
Fax: (907) 443-5112

www.nomenugget.net

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