Vernie Maxine Lemke

May 25, 1943 – November 1, 2024

Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, , Vernie Maxine Lemke, passed away peacefully at home in her sleep on November, 1, 2024. She was 81.

Vernie (AKA Verna ) Maxine Ivie was born in Kirksville, MO on May, 25, 1943 to Roy Ellis Ivie and Hazel Ivie (Kiger). A short time after, the family moved to Yakima Washington, where she lived for the next 17-years.

Vernie’s father, Roy Ellis, passed away when Vernie was a young child, and Vernie was then raised by her mother, Hazel Ivie, Great Aunts and Uncles, Dort, Margie, Cousin Lynn, Uncles Milo, and Chet in Tieton, WA. Vernie’s Sister, Mary Lou, Laura Jean, and Iva also played a part and was always near her. Vernie Lemke was the baby sister of the family.

Vernie married her child sweetheart 1960, Duwayne Lemke, who was stationed at the US Marines Camp Pendleton, in Ocean Side, CA. From 1961-1967, At the time Vernie had to get her mother’s written and verbal permission to marry Duwayne, as she was just 17-years old and not of age.

DuWayne was drafted to Vietnam in 1962, a short time after they were married. Vernie became a devoted Marine Wife, while living on the bases wherever DuWayne was stationed to include NC, CA, and WA. Vernie’s beloved husband, Duwaye served 3-tours in Vietnam. Vernie had three children during the Vietnam area, Allen, Greg, and Teresa (aka Teri) while her husband was oversea.

Vernie moved back to Yakima during this time to be near her family to include her sisters and Great Aunts and Uncles and Cousins in the Yakima area, where she remained until 1970 when the family relocated to Western Washington after the return of her Husband, DuWayne Lemke from being overseas. It was in Washington, where Vernie had her 4th child, Daniel Lemke.

Vernie had 4 children Allen Lemke (62), Gregory Lemke (61), Teresa (AKA Teri) Lemke (58), and Daniel Lemke (54). Vernie emulated to her children strength, unconditional love, grace, and resilience.

In Washington, Vernie continued to raise her children and support her husband fight the demons of the Vietnam era, but never wavered in ensuring neither her husband or her children were without love, loyalty and trust.

Vernie began her professional journey at Providence General Hospital in Everett, WA in 1974, employed in housekeeping and quickly moving into supervision. Vernie retired after 29 years of employment with Providence to pursue building her own Janitorial business for commercial properties and private residential properties. Vernie again encompassed her family, and Jeremy Colter, her nephew, was her business partner. Vernie retired in 2004, when she suffered a back injury in a car accident and was unable to continue to work.

Vernie was an adored grandmother to Josh, Michael, Tyler, Fatima, Rebecca, Trevor and John, and a great grandmother to Emma, Landry, Benjamin, Pearl, Viola, Walter, Elenor and Beatrix. Vernie was also treasured by many cousins, Lynn, Sandy, Barbara, Wesley, Glen, Pam and Great Nieces and Nephews, Amber, and Jeremy.

Vernie (lovingly nicknamed “Cheeks by her grandchildren”) was the heart and soul of the family, as well as anyone that yearned or needed a mother, grandmother, friend or foe.

She loved her family fiercely and enjoyed spending time with her family for holidays, crafting, baking and decorating. She loved the beach, mountains, and the beauty of WA state She extended her unconditional love to her animals, Semper Fi, Stinky, Socks, Skippy, and Miss Kitty.

She is preceded in death by her father, Roy Ive, her mother, Hazel Ivie, her sister, Iva (Tony) Forbes, Mary Lou Knott, Laura Jean Holzheimer, aunts, Dort and Margie, Uncles, Milo and Chet (aka Chester), Uncle Wayne, Nephew Wesley.

Vernie is survived by her four children and spouses; Allen , Greg, Teri, and Daniel, Grandchildren, Josh, Michael, Tyler, Rebecca, Fatima, Trevor, John, Great Grandchildren, to Emma, Landry, Benjamin, Pearl, Viola, Walter, Elenor and Beatrix, her loving husband, DuWayne, Cousins Lynn, Sandy, Barbara, Pam, Glenn, Nephews and nieces, Amber and Jeremy, great nieces and nephews, Frankie Jr, and Alexa. A time for a final visitation has been set aside at Rainier Memorial Center 2807 Terrace Heights Dr. on Thursday November 14, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at Rainier on Friday November 15, at 1:00 PM with burial to follow at Terrace Heights Memorial Park.