Yule Kilcher[Atz Kilcher’s Father]: Wiki-Bio, wife Ruth Weber, kids, divorce.

Yule Kilcher is not just an important figure in the Kilcher household but is known also as a historical figure in Alaska. Yule served as the Alaskan State Senator from 1963 to 1967 and was also the Alaskan State Constitutional Delegate. During his time as the Alaskan Constitutional Delegate, Yule helped to draft the Alaskan constitution. On the other hand, Yule also pioneered the homestead way of life, which is now the subject of the reality TV series, Alaska: The Last Frontier. Even though he passed away in 1998, Yule Kilcher remains as one of the founding fathers of Alaska and the homestead way of life. In this article, we will take a closer look at the wiki-bio of Yule Kilcher.

Early Life:

Yule Farenorth Kilcher was born on the 9th of March 1913 as Julius Jacob Kilcher. Born to, Lina and Edwin Otto Kilcher, in Laufen, Canton of Basel, Switzerland. Yule spent most of his early life with his four siblings, Linely Kilcher, Edwin Otto Kilcher, and Erna Kilcher, in Zuchwil near Solothurn. After passing his matriculation exam from the Kantonsschule Solothurn in 1932, Yule went off to Berlin to study comparative philology and archeology.

Yule Kilcher with his wife Ruth Weber and children.

Moving to Alaska:

After spending most of his early life in Germany, Yule decided to move to Alaska to get away from the Nazis. He visited the place in 1936 and moved permanently four years later. In 1936, the government of Alaska gave Yule 267 hectares of land in Homer. After temporarily moving to Switzerland, to try and convince other people to move to Alaska, Yule made the return trip to Alaska and changed his name to Yule Farenoth Kilcher.

Life in Alaska:

In 1941, Yule married Ruth Weber from Pratteln but was living in the US during the time. The duo sought a self-sufficient and self-catering life in nature. The pair went on to have eight lovely children, two sons Atz and Otto, and six daughters, Catkin Kilcher Burton, Fay Graham, Mossy Kilcher, Stellavera Kilcher, Sunrise Sjoberg, and Wurtilla Hepp. Yule founded the homestead way of life and taught his children how best to survive in the harsh winters of Alaska. As time went on the marriage started to crumble. After divorce, Ruth left Alaska in 1970. Ruth went on to marry Charles Rodney Marriott, and they traveled around the Lower 48 before settling in Tennessee. In 1997 Ruth passed away surrounded by her family.

Yule Kilcher and his children.
Yule Kilcher and his children.

Politics:

In 1995, Yule Kiclhe was elected to represent the Kenai Penninsula at the Constitutional Convention, which was formed to draft the Alaskan Constitution. He advocated simplifying the spelling of the borough administrative unit in boro. Yule also served on the state senate as a representative of the Democratic Party. He served for a total of five years from 1963 to 1966. During his time in politics, Yule was also a member of the Committee on Ordinances and Transitional Measures and Committee on Administration.

Death:

Yule Kilcher passed away on the 8th of December 1988 due to complications from pneumonia. He passed away at the age of 85, surrounded by his friends and family. Yule’s home, the 660-acre homestead on Kachemak Bay, east of Homer, became a popular stop for musicians, military figures, and politicians. Yule is survived by his wife, Jane Kilcher, and his eight children.

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