Melvin D. Lauteren

Former Libby resident, Melvin D. Lauteren, 64, died June 11 at Yakima Regional Hospital. He was born May 29, 1943 in Ukiah, Calif. to Ernest and Clora Lauteren.

Melvin was raised and educated in northern California. He went to work as a land surveyor and worked in California, Montana and the Pacific Northwest.

On Dec. 13, 1969 he married Elizabeth Knight in Ukiah. They came to Libby in 1974 where Mel owned and operated Kootenai Engineering for 14 years. They then moved to different areas of Washington and settled in 2000 at Toppenish, Wash. Melvin was working for the Yakama Nation as a surveyor at the time of his death.

Mel is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; children, John and wife Sherry Lauteren of Moses Lake, Wash.; Valerie and husband Jim Williams of Juneau, Alaska; his parents, Ernest and Clora Lauteren of Zillah, Wash.; three grandchildren: Dylan Williams of Juneau, Alaska and Paige and Taylor Lauteren, both of Moses Lake. Also surviving is his brother Herb Lauteren of Las Vegas, Nev.; as well as nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held at Colonial Funeral Home in Toppenish, Wash on Saturday, June 16.