Vern was born May 30, 1927, to Sam and Ada Simons, in the home of his great aunt and uncle, Jesse and Betty King. He passed away at the Sturgis Regional Hospital Lippold Hospice Unit, May 4, 2018, following a short illness.

His parents were living in Red Owl, SD, when he was born. They later moved to his grandmother's homestead, between Marcus and Plainview, where he grew up. His grandmother, Clara Ensor, lived at and was the postmaster for the town of Marcus, SD, when he was young. He spent a lot of time at Grandma's house and had a warm spot in his heart for Marcus; as it was a thriving little burg with lots of activity, at the time.

He attended the Marcus School as a first grader, staying with Grandma. The rest of his grade school years were spent at the Barada School. His freshman high school year was in Faith and the other three years he attended Sturgis High School, graduating in 1946.

He married his high school sweetheart, Rosalie Fenner, in 1948. They lived and worked on the family ranch until 1962, when they bought the Red Owl Store, Red Owl, SD, and moved there. In addition to being a part-time storekeeper, he continued to do his dad's farming, as well as doing custom farming in the area. He had reputation of being a good steward of the soil. They sold the Red Owl property and moved to Sturgis in 1994; however, he continued his custom farming until 1997. He was always ready and willing to help where needed. After moving to Sturgis, he joined the Golden Kiwanis, helping organize and being active in the Food Pantry. As a member of the Meade County Senior Citizens Center in Sturgis, he assisted with Meal on Wheels delivery for many years.

Vern enjoyed dancing and he and Rosalie put a lot of miles on their feet dancing and square dancing over the years. He was also an avid hunter, spending many hours in the hunting mode, with his good hunting buddies.

Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Rosalie; daughter, Juanita and her children, Kendra, Shane, Chet, and Kelsey and their spouses, and 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Walter (Barbara) Simons; sisters, Gladys (Guy) Edwards, Freda Wilson, Clara Beth Peterson, and Kay Ingalls; sister-in-law, Joyce Simons; sister-in-law, Lila (Sonny) Sorenson; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother; his parents; a baby brother; an infant daughter, Loretta Sue; a teenage son, Jeffery; mother and father-in-law, Jake and Iris Fenner; son-in-law, Lyle Delbridge; brother, Wayne; three brothers-in-law, Emerson Wilson, Bob Peterson, and Howard Ingalls; brother-in-law, Clifford (Patty) Fenner; and sisters-in-law, Harriet (Richard) Wittmayer and Polly (Claus) Bruse.

Memorials have been established for First Presbyterian Church in Marcus, First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis, and the Red Owl Hall

Visitation will be Monday, May 7, 2018, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Services will be held Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis with Rev. Denzel Nonhof presiding. Burial will be at Bear Butte Cemetery at a later date.

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