Vernon Gudmonson, 1924-2014

Published 9:27 am Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Vernon H. Gudmonson, 90, of Lake Mills died Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014, at Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills with the Rev. Randy Baldwin officiating.

Vernon Gudmonson

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 E. Main St. in Lake Mills, and again one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial will take place at North Prairie Cemetery in rural Scarville, Iowa.

Vernon H. Gudmonson was born Feb. 10, 1924, in Mt. Valley Township, Winnebago County, Iowa, the son of Oliver and Ella (Holtan) Gudmonson. He was baptized and confirmed at Winnebago Lutheran Church and attended country school.

On May 30, 1948, Vernon was united in marriage with Betty Jean Loge at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The couple made their home in rural Scarville where they farmed. The couple sold Watkins products for a number of years and enjoyed going to neighborhood picnics, going dancing and attending the Iowa State Fair.

Vernon was so proud of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As the grandchildren were growing up, Vernon and Betty attended as many of their sporting and FFA activities as they could. In later years, the couple kept up to date on the happenings in Lake Mills through the window of their car on Main Street, or by what they heard at the Grand Café.

Vernon was a devoted husband tending to Betty’s every need — especially during the last 40 years — helping tirelessly and patiently. Betty passed away Jan. 15, 2011, and Vernon has been looking forward to seeing her again ever since. “He really must have loved her!”

He will be missed by his loving family: sons Duane (Judy) Gudmonson and Dennis (Kris) Gudmonson, all of Lake Mills; four grandchildren, Cory (Jenny) Gudmonson of New Ulm, Lenise Kollash of Algona, Iowa, Sarah (Tyler) Roelfs of Slater, Iowa, and Andy Gudmonson of Lake Mills; seven great-grandchildren, Caden and Austin Kollash, London, Ramsey and Priya Roelfs and Karson and Kasey Gudmonson; sisters and brothers-in-law Anne (Lyle) Hanson of Albert Lea, Gene (Ila) Loge of Albert Lea, Terry (Barb) Loge of El Paso, Texas, Donna Loge of Albert Lea, Deloris Loge of Alexandria and Pat Pederson of Albert Lea; along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; brothers and sisters-in-law Marlin (Ethel) Gudmonson, Sylvia (Maynard) Iverson, Mike Loge, Marion Loge, Bill Loge and Andy Loge; and niece, Kay Iverson.