Vernon Robert Klaassen age 91 of Tracy, formerly of rural Dawson, passed away Monday, May 29, 2017 at Prairie View Senior Living. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 2 at the Tracy United Methodist Church. Interment was in the Tracy Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Compassionate Care Hospice, Worthington. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Vernon Robert Klaassen was born June 24, 1925 near George, Iowa to Klaas H. and Amelia (Van Hauen) Klaassen. He was baptized and confirmed in the Presbyterian faith. Vernon attended country school in Iowa through the 8th grade. He then moved with his family to a farm near Taunton, Minnesota. Vernon was drafted into the US Army and served in Germany during WWII. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
Following his service, Vernon returned to Taunton and earned his pilot’s license while continuing to work on the family farm. During the Korean War, he worked winters in Los Angeles on airplane electronics systems at defense plants.
On November 21, 1959, he married Gail Ankrum at the Presbyterian Church in Tracy. They made their home on Vernon’s farm, rural Dawson. Three children – Phyllis, Loretta, and Deanna – were born to this union. While continuing to farm, Vernon attended night school earning his GED and later earned his class B electrician’s license.
In the fall of 2003, Vernon and Gail moved to Tracy. Gail passed away on February 13, 2006, but Vernon continued farming until the age of 89. He was a member of the Dawson Legion and VFW, Dawson Presbyterian Church, and Jolly Mixers Square Dance club. Vernon enjoyed farming, tractor pulls, square dancing, traveling, and playing cards.
Vernon is survived by his children: Phyllis (Scott) Kimball of Minnetonka, Loretta (Craig) Feddersen of Aurora, CO, and Deanna (Jim) Oellien of Dawson; grandchildren: Alexander and Amelia Kimball, Brittany and Matthew Feddersen; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Gail, brother Harold (Marvel) Klaassen, and sisters Marie (John) Starkenburg and Hattie (Lester) Manguson.