Verna F. (Dunn) Bauscher passed away peacefully, with her children at her side, on February 21, 2026 in Corvallis, Oregon. Verna was preceded in death by her husband and best friend, Willard F. Bauscher Sr. (1935-2023). Verna and Will were a sweet couple who rarely left each other’s side over their 65 years of marriage. The family is comforted to know they are finally reunited.

Verna was born June 1, 1940 in Millsap, Texas to Theola Estellene (Warden) Dunn (1920-1999) and Roscoe Dunn (1901-1963). In 1964, Verna gained the best stepdad anyone could ever have when Theola married Joseph Houston Gray (1913-1995).

During her first 16 years of life, she lived in Texas, Oklahoma, and Montana before finally landing in Colfax where she and Will met and married January 17, 1958. With Will serving in the Air Force, he and Verna lived at Fairchild Airforce base in Spokane then at Larsen Airforce base in Moses Lake Washington before returning to Colfax to raise their family. Verna was very proud of being Will’s military wife and took the role of being the wife of a Strategic Air Command (SAC) Staff Sargeant very seriously.

Verna worked throughout her life in a variety of occupations including waiting tables, dental assisting and banking. She also was the bookkeeper for Burnett Plumbing and Heating, the business she and Will owned for many years. After selling the plumbing business, Will and Verna farmed the Bauscher “Poor Farm” near Albion. They loved their time living on the farm particularly during harvest. When asked which of her jobs she liked the best, she said waiting tables because she loved talking to people and, she was good at it.

While supporting their kids’ activities, Will and Verna were active in many organizations including FFA, 4-H and Rodeo. They were life-long members of the Pine Grove Grange in Albion and active members of Elks Lodge #1794 in Colfax. Verna enjoyed organizing and participating in Grange events including the Patrons of Husbandry (5th degree ceremony) and directed the Rose Drill (6th degree ceremony) with Sue Kincaid for the Washington State Grange. In 1971 Will and Verna were selected as “Young Couple of the Year” by the Youth Activities Committee of the Washington State Grange. In addition, Verna served many years on the Colfax Cemetery Board, an activity for which she took great pride.

It was important for Verna to be a good hostess. There was always an industrial sized pot of coffee ready at the Bauscher house. Verna loved feeding anyone who came to the house – usually a big pot of pinto beans followed by a heck of a custard pie. What was most important to Verna was being a good wife and mother and she excelled at both.

Verna is survived by her three children; Lonny (Sally) of Cashmere, Barbara (Vance) Croney of Corvallis, Oregon and Will Jr. (Kim) of Salem, Oregon; 8 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

A service will be held Saturday, March 7th at 1:00 pm at the Corbeill Funeral Home Chapel.

In leu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to your local animal shelter or food bank.