Elverna R. Towles, 73

1937-2011

Passed away Nov. 13, 2011, in Yuma, Ariz. Elverna was born Nov. 30, 1937, in Glasgow, Mont., to Harvey and Verna Goff. The family moved to the Coeur d’Alene area in 1942.

Graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1955. Attended North Idaho College for two years majoring in business. She retired form Kaiser Aluminum after 32 years.

She married Bill VanSlate in 1958, and had three children, Rod, Mike and Patty.

In 1979, she married Duane Towles and added stepchildren, Cheri, Brian and Traci. Upon retiring they spent their years wintering in Yuma and summers in Spokane. They were together 26 years before his passing in 2002.

In 2006 she met her loving husband, Bill Hansen, who was with her through her courageous battle with cancer.

She loved traveling, entertaining, dancing and most of all laughing and having a good time. Always the life of the party. She was a loving and giving wife, mother, grandmother, companion and friend. She will be missed by everyone who knew her. She was a member of Eagles, Elk, Moose and Red Hat Society.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Duane and son Mike.

She is survived by her husband, Bill Hansen; her sister, Wilma (Phil) Poole; son Rod (Michelle) VanSlate; daughter Patty VanSlate; daughter-in-law Cindy VanSlate; Cheri (Doug) Massender, Brian Towles and Traci Tabor; 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held between 1-4 p.m. Saturday, June 30, 2012, at the Coeur d’Alene Eagles, 209 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene. This is a potluck, so bring your favorite dish and favorite stories of Elverna.

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.