When Andrew Sharpe joined the Glenfield business sector in 1923, the whole family was welcomed and accepted as a part of the total community. The children attended the Glenfield Public Schools (the younger ones from grade one through 12), were confirmed in the then Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church, and in general participated in school, church and community affairs.

Following graduation from Jamestown College, Stella taught in public high schools for three years before joining the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve in 1943. It was in the military service that she met and married John Cooley , the Marine "from Alaska." John, a member of the Fifth Marine Division, participated in the initial invasion of Iwo Jima (Volcano Islands in the Pacific war zone) and there was wounded in action. He was later awarded the Silver Star Medal and cited for ".conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while leading an engineer platoon." during the early stages of the assault.

After both Stella and John were discharged from the Marine Corps Reserve at the close of WWII, they moved to Fairbanks, "back home" to John. Thereafter they continued to make their home in Alaska, and Stella still resides in Anchorage. As a civil engineer, John worked for federal government agencies until his retirement. A flying enthusiast, he built two experimental model single-engine airplanes, both of which he flew. It was while flying the second plane to the "Lower 48" in 1982, that he was killed in an accident enroute.

Five children were born into the family. After the youngest child had entered school, Stella returned to teaching and taught in Anchorage for 15 years before retiring. Of the five children, four live in Alaska; the fifth is a career officer in the United States Marine Corps. All have married, and 13 grandchildren enhance and complete the family circle at present.

Source:  Glenfield History 1886 €“ 1987 Page 180