Florence – Verlis Joan Glaze Mickens, 85, of Florence passed away Friday, May 13, 2016 at home surrounded by her loved ones. She was born May 6, 1931, in Antelope, Montana to Theodore and Linda Glaze.
After a childhood on the eastern plains of Montana and the many stories of snowstorms and wind that forced the family to have ropes strung between the house and barn so they wouldn’t get lost, at age 11, Verlis moved to the Bitterroot Valley in the Three Mile and Stevensville area. During high school she worked at the Stevensville Cannery, and after graduating, in 1948, she spent a year working at the Florence Hotel in Missoula. With her parents’ consent, Verlis married Francis Mickens two days after her 18th birthday, May 8, 1949, and they spent the next 62 years together. They spent the first two years of their married life in Hamilton and after Francis started working at Mountain Bell they spent the next five years traveling throughout Montana, all the while raising a family. After a harrowing ride pulling a house trailer over McDonald Pass, Francis and Verlis decided to leave the road and locate in Missoula in 1956. They eventually put roots down in Florence and their beloved Bitterroot Valley in 1967, where they remained until their passing.
While traveling with Ma Bell, Verlis and Francis met Ray and Geri Smith, and they soon became nearly inseparable. The stories were many and always involved the cabin at Alta, multiple fishing and hunting trips and family vacations.
Verlis was an avid pinochle player and belonged to a card club for over 30 years, making lifelong friends along the way. Bowling also provided years of enjoyment and many additional friends until health issues forced her to curtail activities. Playing cribbage with all who were willing to take her on, especially her nephew, Darrel Slocum, was special to her. Verlis was well known for her gardening, baking (especially sour cream chocolate cake), salmon nuggets, fish frys at our cabin and all of her home canning.
Verlis was preceded in death by her husband Francis Mickens; brother Art (Buzz) Glaze, sister Dorothy Slocum, daughter Sharon McPhee, her mother Linda and father Theodore Glaze.
Verlis is survived by her daughter Diane (David) Holmes, Florence; sons Terry Mickens, Kalispell, Jerry Mickens, Raleigh, NC, and Delbert (Tina) Mickens, Castle Rock, CO; nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
The family suggests that memorials be made to Partners in Home Hospice, 2687 Palmer Street, Suite B, Missoula MT 59808 or to a charity of your choice.
A graveside service was held on Friday, May 20, 2016 at the Carlton Cemetery in Florence. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.