Vernon Eugene Ross, 92, of Sturgis, SD, passed away on January 1, 2022 at Monument Health Sturgis Hospital.

Vern was born on June 15, 1929 in Sheldon, Illinois to Ida May Heberling and Paul James Ross. He was the oldest of four children. He attended school in Illinois and graduated from the 8 ^th grade. After a fight with his father, he climbed out his bedroom window, caught a ride to the train station with the neighbor lady and rode a train from Illinois to Deadwood, SD, to live with his mother in Sturgis.

On June 19, 1947, he married Theckla Hartl of Sturgis, SD, and they had two sons, Jerry Eugene Ross and Leonard Allen Ross. They divorced in April of 1967. Vern married Sharon Schmidt on August 7, 1967, and adopted her daughter, Corinne, shortly after their marriage.

Early in his life, Vern drove a Caterpillar bulldozer during the fire in Deadwood. A tree fell on him and he broke his back, causing him lifelong pain and problems. He worked for Meade County for several years but spent the majority of his life as a mechanic for the State Highway Department.

Vern loved recreational activities in the outdoors including camping, hunting, and fishing. He and his family camped in the Big Horns, Glacier National Park, Orman Dam, and Deerfield Lake. Vern was a founding member of the Sturgis Four-Wheel Drive Club and loved driving his Jeep around the Black Hills. He was an avid hunter and received a trophy award from the State of South Dakota in 1970 for a large buck he shot. Fishing was one of his favorite pastimes. His motto for fishing was, "Anytime, anywhere, any water." He loved to fish with his family and his grandsons. He owned hundreds of fishing poles and enjoyed refinishing fishing gear.

At the age of 72, he donated his kidney to his wife, Sharon. Sharon was on dialysis and had polycystic kidney disease. His gift of a kidney allowed her to live many more years and allowed them the freedom to do more of the things they loved and enjoyed together.

Vern is survived by his children, Jerry (Linda) Ross of Rapid City and Corinne (Steve) Johnson of Kingston, WA; 7 grandchildren, many great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, John (Angela) Ross of Sturgis. He is also survived by a special Aunt, Irene (Bob) Tapkin of Sturgis, and many cousins. Also having shared his life are special friends including Gayle Vogeli and Paul Reynolds and many bonus children and grandchildren.

Vern was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon in 2017, shortly after celebrating their 50 ^th wedding anniversary; parents, Ida Paulson and Paul Ross; his son, Leonard Ross; grandson, David Ross and great grandson, Gavin Ross; granddaughter, Denise Ross; brother, Wesley Ross, and infant sister, Mary Ellen Ross.

The family would like to thank the nursing staff at Monument Health Sturgis Hospital for their excellent care of Vern over the years. Memorials may be sent to Hospice Care at Monument Health Sturgis Hospital.

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