Vernon Vrem

Vernon Glenn Vrem, 86, of Crookston, MN, died at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND, Monday evening, December 19, 2011, with his loving family at his side. Vernon was born in Tolna, ND on March 12, 1925, and was the third of eight children of the union of Thomas and Agnes (Gjestvang) Vrem. He grew up on the family's farm, near Tolna, and went to a nearby country school. He later attended the Wahpeton (ND) State School of Science, while also traveling home to work on the farm. At about this time in his life, Vernon was stricken with polio. He spent almost two years at the Sister Kenney Institute in Minneapolis, recovering from paralysis brought on by the illness. He was eventually able to return home to continue his rehabilitation; and later attended a technical school in Milwaukee, WI, where he studied electronics repair. Vernon returned to Tolna where he started an appliance and TV repair shop in his home, and also operated a popcorn stand in downtown Tolna. One of his favorite memories of those early days was his 1949 Crosley convertible, and he still enjoyed regaling his family with stories of that car. A few years later he began working for the Tolna Farmers' Union as a TV repairman. Vernon met the love of his life, Arlene M. Perchert, at a carnival in Binford, ND, and the couple was united in marriage on November 24, 1957 in Cooperstown, ND. Vernon and Arlene made their home in Tolna and were blessed by the births of three children: Alan, Darrel, and Pamela. In 1964 the family moved to Crookston where he was employed in Rene Vaudrin's TV Record Shop. He later worked for the Dahlgren Company until a work related injury in 1980 forced him into early retirement. Vernon continued to tinker with electronics repair at home, and was always there when needed by family, friends, and neighbors alike. He enjoyed spending time with his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.

Though polio placed limitations on what Vernon was able to do for most his adult life, he never complained or considered himself to be handicapped. Arlene, and the kids and their families, were the love of his life, and their needs always came before his. Vernon especially enjoyed going for long drives, almost daily, with his son, Darrel. He was a man who enjoyed the simple things in life; very caring and humble, yet he balanced those attributes with a wonderful sense of humor. Vernon was a man of great faith. He read his bible daily and was devoted to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness. He leaves behind a family who adored him, and friends who will miss him very much. May Jehovah bless Vernon's memory. Loving family members include his soul-mate of fifty-three years, Arlene; three children: Alan (DeeAnn) Vrem of Monticello, MN, Darrel Vrem of Crookston, MN, and Pamela (Wes) Coleman of Grand Forks, ND; six grandchildren: Joshua Vrem, Jonathan McGee, Justin McGee, Ashley McGee, Ilse Coleman, and Zulieth Coleman; and seven great-grandchildren: Angelo, Bear, Maximos, Alexander, Gabriel, Adian, and Zala. He also leaves three brothers and two sisters: Wallace (Chiyoko) Vrem of Oviedo, FL, Bernice (Dale) Newman of Bella Vista, AR, Lorrain (Jenny) Vrem of Tolna, ND, Shirley (Dale) Ehlers of Kennewick, WA, and Michael (Diane) Vrem of Mattoon, IL; a sister-in-law, Anne Vrem of Asheboro, NC; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Agnes Vrem; a five-day old infant grandson, Brandon James, who died in 1987; and two brothers, Archer Vrem, and Orris (Elva) Vrem. The funeral service for Vernon Glenn Vrem will be held at 11:00am, Friday, December 23, 2011, in the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home in Crookston, with Scott Boyer, speaking. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday from 5-7:00pm, with 6:30pm prayers, and also for one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will be in the Oakdale Cemetery, Crookston.



Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Service
Friday, December 23, 2011
cemetery
Friday, December 23, 2011