One of the Iditarod’s most popular mushers, Jonrowe, of Willow, was also one of its most successful. She recorded 16 top-10 finishes, including 11 in a row from 1988-98, and finished second twice, in 1993 and 1998. Her public battle with breast cancer in 2002 made her an inspiration in Alaska and beyond, and the next year she mushed to 18th place in a field of 45 finishers. Jonrowe experienced other personal setbacks — including the loss of her home in a wildfire— and became a popular figure for the way she managed them.
DeeDee Jonrowe
