Rudolph Carl Domke, 73, of Fairbanks, Alaska, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, March 2, 2010, at his home surrounded by his family.

Born April 7, 1936, in Flushing, Mich., he was the son of the late Alfred and Helen Domke. His first marriage was on May 9, 1959, to Anne Margaret Hogan, who preceded him in death. They began their married life by driving up the Alcan Highway to Alaska. His second marriage was in 1982 to Ruth Ann Larimore, who survives.

Mr. Domke graduated from Flushing High School in 1954 and from the University of Alaska in 1970 with a degree in electronics.

He and his first wife, Anne raised their family of three children on a homestead near Fairbanks.

Mr. Domke worked at the University Geophysical Institute in the electronics shop and after nearly 30 years he retired in 1988.

He was a devout Christian and founding member of Zion Lutheran Church in Fairbanks where he later served the congregation as president. He continued as an active member of Zion until his passing. He attended St. Peters Lutheran Church in Camden while visiting in Indiana.

Mr. Domke loved traveling to Indiana to spend time near Camden at his vacation home and fishing pond. He made many friends in the neighborhood in the past 20 years and loved sharing Alaskan Salmon with them.

Also surviving are a daughter, Kimberly Walker (husband: Bob); two sons, Daniel Domke (wife: Victoria) and Theodore Domke (wife: Laurine); a brother, Dale Domke (wife: Paula); two sisters, Ruth Ann Schneider and Ilene Turner (husband: Harry); and many nieces and nephews.

He was loved and will be missed by his family and his adopted church families, Ed and Laura Gilien and their children, Sharon Gilien, Jamie Gilien, Tracy Ward (husband: Derek) and Erica Ward and Dan and Kamryn Green and their children, Isaiah, Phelan, Anna and Benjamin.

Also preceding him in death was a brother, Roger Domke.

Services were held Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church in Fairbanks. The Rev. Phillip Kuehnert officiated. Burial followed at Birch Hill Cemetery in Fairbanks.

Relatives traveling from Indiana were Nancy Larimore of Logansport and Terry and Barbara Larimore of Kokomo.

Memorials may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church, 2982 Davis Rd., Fairbanks, AK 99709 or Hospice of Tanana Valley, 2001 Gillam Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709.

Arrangements were handled by Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home in Fairbanks.