Vernon Lewis Landkammer

Vern was born in Pomeroy, Washington, 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. He trained in San Diego as a diesel mechanic,

and was stationed in Subic Bay, in the Philippines for two years. He was then transferred to

Long Beach, California, where on a blind date, he met the love of his life, Norma Jean Heller, a

school teacher from Pilger, Nebraska. They were married December 31, 1954. On a coin flip

they decided to start their new life together in Spokane. Vern was employed by Brende

Machinery, and then worked for Washington Water Power, repairing and reading meters. He

loved his job and spent the next 27 years walking the streets of Spokane chatting with anyone

he met on his routes. Additionally, he served 10 years in the National Guard, and still found time

to help with the wheat harvest in Pomeroy in the summers. In the mid-sixties, he bought

property just north of Spokane where he built his family home, started his own little farm, and

jokingly referred to himself as a “stump farmer.” He tended a large garden and raised an

assortment of animals, as well as six children. He was active in the Knights of Columbus, and

St. Joseph’s Parish in Colbert. In 2015 he was presented with a Quilt of Honor for his military

service. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling (especially to Fairmont Hot Springs, British

Columbia), and talking with anyone who would listen, even his kids’ friends or a wrong phone

number. Vern was well known for his antics, including participating in Bloomsday wearing jeans

and cowboy boots, sharing Limburger cheese with unsuspecting family members, and singing

“Born to Be Wild” karaoke at his niece’s wedding. Most of all he enjoyed time spent with his

large family, hosting 40 or more people for gatherings such as Christmas Eve at the family

homestead. Our perfect Dad, Vern passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 89, in the

home he built, after visiting with family one last time. 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 children: Chuck (Debbie), Bill (Ivy), Merry Myers (Mark), Julie Johnson,

John (Vickie), and Lorri; 13 grandchildren: Chrystal, Mark, Cari, Michael, Katy, Willy, Jeremiah,

Jessica, Alex, Nick, Hailey, Zoey, and Heidi; and 10 great grandchildren: Cole, Malcolm, Iris,

Everett, Arloe, Atlas, Ryan Jr., Evan, Sam, and Jennifer. A Celebration of life will be held in July

2021. You may share memories and condolences online through his obituary at the Ball and

Dodd Funeral Home website (www.ballanddodd.com).