Ivan Otto Willmschen

At their farm home, east of Rockford, Washington, Ivan Willmschen was born June 22, 1930, to his parents, William H and Amanda (Kempe) Willmschen and passed away peacefully in Spokane, Washington, Friday January 2, 2026, of natural causes.

Ivan attended Rockford schools and graduated with the Class of 1949. For a short time after high school, he was hired by Farmers & Merchants Bank until he was drafted by the U.S. Army, where he trained as a Military Policeman in Augusta, GA. The Korean War was still going on, and he was lucky enough to be sent to Vienna Austria for the next 18 months. He married Alane Schaaf on February 27, 1954, enjoying 70 years of married life.

On his return to Rockford, Ivan became employed by the Rockford Insurance Agency, (Bob Gohlman). Shortly thereafter he became the owner of Rockford-Worley Insurance Agency where he worked for the next 37 years, until his retirement in 1990.

Ivan was very much a part of the Rockford community. In 1954, he helped start Fire District 11, serving as Secretary for 48 years. He was a member of the Rockford Fire Department for 45 years, and a member of the Rockford Lions Club for 70 years, holding many of the office positions and maintaining a perfect attendance record. He also served as the Rockford Town Clerk and as a City Council Member.

One of Ivan's favorite past times was hunting, and he most enjoyed being a member of the Hoof n' Horn Duck Club for 54 years. Although he and Alene had no children of their own, they loved entertaining their many nieces and nephews at their home on Rockford Bay at Couer d' Alene Lake, Idaho. In their retirement years, Ivan and Alene enjoyed spending winters in Sun City, AZ, where Ivan spent a lot of time in the Resort's woodshop handcrafting bowls and other items that he would give to friends and relatives.

The Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 30, 2026, 11:00 a.m. at Hennessey Valley Funeral Home 1315 N. Pines Rd., Spokane Valley, Washington 99206, followed by a light reception. The Committal will take place at 1:00 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery, 23300 S. Campbell Rd., Rockford, WA 99030. To share memories of Ivan and leave condolences for the family, please visit Ivan's Tribute Wall.