Verna Ylitalo Engen, 91

Verna Engen passed away on March 16, 2022, from complications of congestive heart failure at the Schneidmiller Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Verna was born in Green Valley Township, Minnesota to Waino and Miriam (Koskela) Ylitalo. Verna was one of 8 children. Verna married Conrad J Geston, a returning WWII veteran in 1946 and after two daughters were born they moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

After their divorce Verna married Arnie C Engen Jr in 1960. They relocated to Kellogg, Idaho during which time Verna worked for Bunker Hill Mining and then Garth Haddock insurance as a clerk. In 1975 they lived their dream by moving to Menahga, Minnesota to be dairy farm owners until their retirement in 1998. From Minnesota they moved to the top of a mountain in Kamiah Idaho until 2012 when they moved one last time to Hayden, Idaho.

Verna is remembered for her vivaciousness, elegance in dress and her unique sense of humor.

Verna is preceded in death by her parents, first husband Conrad J Geston, second husband Arnie C Engen Jr., 3 sisters Viola, Mildred and Verlene as well as two brothers Ray and Wesley.

Verna is survived by brothers Clyde Ylitalo of Coeur d’Alene and Rodney (Alice) Ylitalo of Enid, Oklahoma. Daughters Brenda (Thomas G) Fletcher of Sandpoint and Vickie Geston of Walla Walla, Washington. Grandchildren Bridget Towles of Portland, Jerry (Angie) Arnold of College Place, Washington, Tiffany (Matt) DeFranco of Seattle, Washington, Joseph Geston of Walla Walla, Joleen (Andrew) Gately of Arizona. Great-grandchildren Kayla, Harmony, Dylan, Dallas and Dakota, and Grace, Owen and Oliver. Also numerous nieces and nephews including Minnesota families.

Donations can be made in Verna’s honor to The Schneidmiller Hospice House, 2290 W Praire Avenue, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815 whose loving and professional care she received.