Walla Walla, Washington
Nov. 4, 1934 – April 21, 2011
Born to Valentine and Frances Miklancic of Homedale, Ida., Fred grew up and excelled in sports at Homedale High School. Fred continued his education and sports exploits at Boise Junior College and then at the University of Oregon where he received a Bachelor of Science in geology. He starred as the running back of the football teams at both schools.
In 2008, Fred was inducted into the Boise State University Sports Hall of Fame.
In 1958, Fred married his college sweetheart, Marla Miller, and thereafter served in the U.S. Army, 46th Engineer Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas, before being honorably discharged in 1961.
Fred and Marla raised five children in Portland, Walla Walla, and Pullman. During this time, Fred built an excellent career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, overseeing the design and construction of several dams in the Pacific Northwest.
During his career, Fred served as Chief of Geology and then Chief of Geo-Tech, before retiring in 1995.
Fred began a second career with Anderson Perry and Associates as a Construction Inspector on various wastewater treatment, road, and bridge projects in the Walla Walla area.
Fred married Sherri Pankaskie (Lathim) April 2, 2000. Together, they enjoyed years of bowling and friendship with many great people of the Corps Bowling League.
In October, 2006, Fred and Sherri moved to Pasco where they hiked and explored areas throughout the Pacific Northwest. This past year, a very special trip to Hawaii enabled Fred to explore many of the islands' unique geological formations.
Fred is survived by siblings, Helen Rose, Margaret George, and Jim Miklancic; children, Daniel, Michael, Andrew, Thomas, and Diane; step-children, Michael and Ashley Pankaskie; grandchildren, Ashley, Ethan, Morgan, Kaitlyn, Mattias and Madison, and one great-grandchild, Keiana.
A viewing will take place on Wednesday, April 27, 5-8 p.m., at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, Walla Walla, Wash. Funeral services will be held, Thursday, at 10 a.m., at Amazing Grace Nazarene Church, Walla Walla, Wash. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Desert Lawn in Kennewick, Wash.
In high school, Mr. Miklancic was my best friend's Dad. Diane and I always had a lot of fun and as we left the house he would always say "have fun girls" and he would smile but you could also see worry on his face too (I understand that now that I'm a parent). He was just a wonderful, caring man. Rest in Peace. My heart goes out to the whole family.
April 28, 2011
My famous Uncle Fred.....his photo looks just like Grandpa Miklancic! It is amazing. What a great man, father, husband and brother.....and uncle. Smart, hard working, private. I never heard a negative word about Uncle Fred. His spirit lives on, and I hope he is in a better place where he does not feel pain and the suffering he endured at the end. Our thoughts and prayers to the entire family.
Yvonne Beatty
April 28, 2011 | Lampasas, TX
I didn't know Fred very well, but I greatly admired his well-tended yard and tidy garage. I chatted with him a couple of times and found him to be a very pleasant, kind man. May the Lord bless you, Sherri, and comfort and sustain you during this time. Your neighbors . . .
Leigh and Chris Bosted
April 27, 2011 | Pasco, WA
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Tom & Brenda Jones
April 27, 2011 | Kent, WA
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Dick & Anne Kaden
April 26, 2011 | Edmonds, WA
Your father was a very special man. Find peace in knowing that you have so many friends and family keeping you in prayers.
Marilyn Pritchard
April 26, 2011 | Missoula, MT
You will be forever loved, and forever missed. God hold you in His embrace, and send His angels to care for your family in your stead.
Tami Schlosser
April 26, 2011 | Las Vegas, NV
My condolences to the family. Fred was a very fine man who touched many lives. He was someone to be looked up to and admired. I will always remember the summer he worked for my father,Edwin Stansell, stacking hay with his high school friend, Tom Edick. Dad said these two boys were the hardest workers he ever had. A wonderful young man who grew into a fine adult. He was also one of the best athletes to graduate from Homedale High School.
Keith Stansell
April 25, 2011 | Homedale, ID
You had a special husband and father. He was one of the nicest uncles we could have asked for. There are many memories of the visits we had with him over the years, but my best if the wonderful care he took of mom when dad and Valerie passed. He was a great brother to her and she will miss him greatly, especially that smile. God bless you all and God Speed uncle Fred
Marianne George-Freelong
April 25, 2011 | Fairbanks, AK