ike many others, Paul and Eleanor Marsch arrived in Anchorage in 1922 to help build the Alaska Railroad. Paul was born in Portland, Oregon in 1889, and Eleanor was born in Minneota, Minnesota in 1894. Paul worked for the Alaska Railroad for a number of years and then worked for W. J. Boudreau Company, a wholesale grocer. In 1936 and 1937, Paul served on the City Council. In 1941 he went to work for the territorial government at what later became Elmendorf Air Force Base, and was there until his retirement in 1957.

Eleanor helped found the Ladies Auxiliary of Jack Henry Post #1, American Legion, and served as its President. During World War II, she headed up the Selective Service Commission in Anchorage. A devoted housewife and mother and a superb poker player, she still found time for community service.

The marriage of Paul and Eleanor in 1918 produced two children. Daughter Peggy Marsch, born in 1918, married Herb Enberg and they had two children, Karen Enberg Foster and Richard C. Enberg. Son Burton, born in 1924, and his wife Lou had two children, Kurt P. and Vonn M.

Paul Marsch died in 1976 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Eleanor died in 1978, daughter Peggy Enberg died in 1999 and son Burton died in 2003. Eleanor is buried in the pioneers’ section of Anchorage’s Angelus Memorial Park, and Peggy and Paul had their ashes scattered.
Paul A. Marsch, born in Portland, Oregon, 1889. Died in 1976.     Eleanor Welch Marsch, born in Minneota, Minnesota, 1894. Died in 1978.
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Paul Marsch and daughter Peggy at 5th Avenue and K Street, 1925.     Paul Marsch and son Burt, 1934.
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Eleanor Marsch in front of the family home, 1936.     The Marsch family, Son Burt, mother Eleanor, father Paul and daughter Peggy, in front of their home at 7th Avenue and H. Street, 1936.
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Peggy Marsch Enberg, 1918-1999.     Burton Marsch, 1924-2003.
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Click any photo to see a larger version.
Photo captions:
  1. Paul A. Marsch, born in Portland, Oregon, 1889. Died in 1976.


  2. Eleanor Welch Marsch, born in Minneota, Minnesota, 1894. Died in 1978.


  3. Paul Marsch and daughter Peggy at 5th Avenue and K Street, 1925.


  4. Paul Marsch and son Burt, 1934.


  5. Eleanor Marsch in front of the family home, 1936.


  6. The Marsch family, Son Burt, mother Eleanor, father Paul and daughter Peggy, in front of their home at 7th Avenue and H. Street, 1936.


  7. Peggy Marsch Enberg, 1918-1999.


  8. Burton Marsch, 1924-2003.


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