LaVerne Edward Mihlke

June 23, 1922 - June 28, 2011

LaVerne Edward Mihlke Obituary (Age 89) Passed away on June 28, 2011 in Spokane Valley. He was born on June 23, 1922 in Worley, ID to Lawrence and Beth Mihlke. Verne attended Worley High School and graduated in the Class of 1941. He was drafted into the U.S. Army as a mechanic for an artillery battery. He served in the European theatre in WWII. Verne would marry Zelma Christensen on December 31, 1943 in Spokane, WA shortly before departing for Europe. After the war, he returned to Spokane and went to electricians school. He then took employment with Brown Trailers/Clark Equipment- Melroe. He would work for them as a welder, plant electrician and millwright from 1948 to 1980. In the early 60?s, Verne was a leader in the local Untied Steel Workers Union. He loved flying and taught ground school at Felts Field in the late 60?s and early 70?s. He loved to camp, hunt, call square dancing, and waterskiing at the summer home in Priest River, ID. Verne was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and an adult advisor for Boy Scout Troop 469. He is survived by his wife, Zelma, 2 sons Gary (Flordiles) and David (Peggy), granddaughter Candice, all of Spokane and Spokane Valley, WA, nephew James and grandnephew Dale of Coeur d?Alene, ID, and 2 cousins Loren Blakely of Fairfield, WA and Ronald Johnson of Farmington, WA. Preceding him death was his brother, Harold. A time of visitation will be held at Heritage Funeral Home on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 5 and 6 from 10 am to 5 pm. A funeral service will be held at Heritage Funeral Home on July 7, 2011 at 11 am.