Corrine Iola Varnes, Palouse area farm woman, passed away May 30, 2011 in Colfax, where she had been living for the last year. She was 87. A graveside service will be held Saturday, June 18th at 11:00 am at the Pines Cemetery in Spokane followed by a memorial service at 1:00 pm at the Garland Alliance Church, 2011 W. Garland Ave, Spokane. Viewing will be Friday, June 17th from 9 to 4 at Bruning Funeral Home in Colfax. Corrine was born September 25, 1923 in Tioga, North Dakota to Robert and Esther Iverson. After the death of her father at a young age, her family lost their farm in the Dust Bowl of the Great Depression and moved west to Glasgow, Montana. Corrine graduated from high school there and then moved to Spokane, WA. where she attended Kinman Business School. She worked at the Spokane School District as a secretary to the superintendent. While attending a business luncheon she met Adolph Varnes, an optometrist in Spokane, and the couple married in December, 1949. They later bought a farm along Clear Creek near Palouse and began raising their family there. Corrine's first priority was always serving the Lord and her family was a close second. She attended both Methodist and Lutheran churches throughout her lifetime. She also held many Bible studies in her home. Corrine was a member of the Besse Mechling Club, a food bank volunteer, and loved gardening, reading and traveling. Following the death of her husband in 1980 she moved back to Spokane to be closer to her mother. She was a member of the Garland Alliance Church there. Corrine is survived by four children; Wayne (Jan) Varnes of Colfax, Janet (Ron) Lehrman, Loon Lake, WA., Mark Varnes, Orange County, CA, and Susan (Jeff) Newland of Redmond, WA; 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren as well as her niece, Ann (Wes) Knopp. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by 2 brothers and her parents. The family suggests memorials to the Union Gospel Mission, the 2nd Harvest Food Bank or to the Garland Church Great Commission Fund. On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com
Bruning Funeral Home, Colfax, is caring for the family.