Vernon Wesley Lecy was born on January 15, 1929, at Echo, Minnesota, to Martin and Martha (Finnes) Lecy, the youngest of eight children. Vern passed away on July 19, 2008, at the VAMC Hospital in Fort Meade after a courageous two year battle with prostate cancer.

Vern grew up on the homestead farm in Rock Valle, baptized and confirmed in the Rock Valle Lutheran Church, and graduating from Echo High School in 1947. He joined the National Guard with his three cousins, and was activated to the Army serving in the Heavy Tank Company, 7th Infantry, 3rd Division in Korea from 1951-1952, receiving the prestigious Combat Infantry Badge.

Vern married Roberta Chapman in 1952, and moved to Rapid City in 1954 to work for Scholl Floor Coverings. In 1956, Vern, Arthur LaCroix, and Cyrus Pettigrew started the Linoleum Center. In 1975, he started Versatile Carpets in Lead and Spearfish, South Dakota, retiring in 1993, after forty-four years in the floor covering business.

Vern married Eileen Bachand on January 4, 1986, at their home at Rebbe Ranch Estates, a place he truly loved. He spent many hours refurbishing the original ranch house and enjoying the nearby buffalo, elk, and other wildlife. Vern was a hunter and fishing enthusiast, enjoying many of these adventures with his family and friends. The past twelve years, Spike, his German short haired dog has been his faithful friend and companion. He was creative in all that he did, making wonderful sculptures, and wood carvings. He was a patient teacher for his grandchildren and other small people. Vern was proud of his Norwegian heritage, and his Christmas lefse and potato dumplings will be missed.

Vern was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Spearfish. He was a charter member and past president of the Rapid City Morning Optimist Club, and the Optimist Club of Spearfish. He was past Lt. Governor for the optimist DMM district. Vern was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Korean War Veterans Association, and the VFW Post 160. He was proud to be a Sons of Norway, and honored to be a Big Brother of Rapid City, and a Harney Little League Baseball Coach.

Vern is survived by his wife of twenty-one years, Eileen Lecy, Spearfish; his children Robin (Jeannine) Lecy, Rapid City, Daniel (Dixie) Lecy, Rapid City, Rebecca (James) Kemerling, Lewisville, NC; his stepchildren, Michael (Nancy) Bachand, Sturgis, Laurel Bachand, Sacramento, CA, and Marty (Scott) Campbell, Portland, OR; grandchildren, Christopher Lecy, Jesse Lecy, Douglas (Ann) Lecy, Brian Lecy, Natalie Lecy, Dustin Lecy, Nicole Kemerling, Michael Lecy, Derrick Lecy, and Jordan Kemerling; step-grandchildren, Jennifer (Alex) Jensen, Megan Bachand, Alex and Dalton Egger, Andrew and Madison Campbell, and Chad and Amanda Egan. He is also survived by his sister, Ruby Skalbeck, Sacred Heart, MN; and sister-in-laws, Darlene Lecy, Granite Falls, MN, and Ella Lecy, Wilmer, MN.

Preceding him in death are his parents, two sisters, Theola Skogberg and Alona Njos; and four brothers, James, Merle, Warren and Elmo Lecy.

Visitation will be Sunday from noon until 9:00 p.m. with the family present from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 28, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Spearfish with Rev. Kent Stillson officiating. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with military honors provided by the Sturgis Veteran's Honor Guard.

Vern has requested his memorial to be given to the Rapid City Morning Optimist to be used to support programs for youth.