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Vernon L. "Vern" Landkammer

July 20, 1931–December 5, 2020

Vern Landkammer passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 89, in the home he built, after visiting with family one last time.

Vern was born in Pomeroy, Wash., the second of three sons to Edward and Rosrene (Sura) Landkammer. In his youth, he participated in the Boy Scouts of America, FFA, Key Club, and graduated from Pomeroy High School in 1949. Vern worked on the family wheat farm until he enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War, and was stationed in the Philippines for two years.

He met Norma Heller, of Pilger, Neb., on a blind date in Long Beach, Calif., and they married on December 31, 1954. They moved to Spokane, where Vern worked numerous jobs, including with Washington Water Power for 27 years.

Additionally, he served 10 years in the National Guard and continued to help with the wheat harvest. In the mid-sixties, he bought property north of Spokane where he built his family home, tended a garden, raised animals, as well as his six children.

-Submitted photo

Vern and Norma Landkammer

He was active in the Knights of Columbus, and with St. Joseph's Parish, in Colbert. In 2015, he was presented with a Quilt of Honor for his military service.

Vern was well known for his antics, including participating in Bloomsday wearing cowboy boots, sharing Limburger cheese with unsuspecting family members, and singing "Born to Be Wild" karaoke at his niece Rose's wedding.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Alvin and Lyle, and granddaughter Jennifer Walker. He is survived by Norma, his wife of almost 66 years, their six children, 13 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, in Colbert, Wash., on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 12 p.m.