Vernon "Vern" Flath, age 85, a resident of Perham, Minnesota, formerly of Pelican Rapids area, died on Wednesday, May 30, 2007, at the Perham Memorial Hospital in Perham.
Vernon E. Flath was born April 25, 1922, in Homestead Township, rural Perham, the son of Herman and Ida (Bahls) Flath. He attended country school in rural Perham, and later worked for area farmers. From November 16, 1942 to November 6, 1945, Vern served in the United States Army during World War II, earning a bronze star metal and purple heart. After his discharge, Vernon worked in logging for a few years in Portland, Oregon. He moved to Sabin, MN, area where he worked as a farm laborer. In August of 1949, Vernon was united in marriage to Rosella Nygaard. In 1959 Vern and Rosella returned to the Pelican Rapids area. For many years Vern worked as a heavy equipment operator for Collins Construction in Fargo, North Dakota, and a couple of years for Hillstrom Construction in Vergas, MN. In the late 1960's, Vern started his own construction company and retired in 1999. In 2001 Vern and Rosella moved to Perham.
Vern was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids, VFW Post 4020 in Perham, MN, and former member of the Detroit Lakes Eagles Club. He enjoyed driving and traveling throughout the United States. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, and old-time dancing. His greatest joy was driving in his road grader and spending time with his grandchildren.
Vern is survived by his wife, Rosella of Perham; daughters: Schelby Weyrens of Fergus Falls, MN, Deborah (Brian) Fors of Montreal, WI, and Kari (Les) Pierce of Pelican Rapids; 7 grandchildren: Thadius Fliss, Jeremy (Leah Gannon) Fliss, Anna-Kjersten Fors, Ryan (Jesse Krueger-Pierce) Pierce, Kealy Pierce, Angela Weyrens, Kristi Weyrens; 3 great-grandchildren: Tobias Fliss, Landyn Krueger-Pierce and Kendall Krueger-Pierce; 2 brothers: John (Marlys) Flath of Menahga, MN, and Marvin (JoAnn) Flath of Park Rapids, MN; 4 sisters: Adeline Boone of Woodland, CA, Blanche Dornbush of Ottertail, MN, Marie Walker of Arbuckle, CA, and Irma Rinas of Menahga, MN; brother-in-law, Gene (Carol) Nygaard of Erhard, MN; 2 sisters-in-law: Joyce Boe of Fort Walton Beach, FL, and Vera Nygaard; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and 4 brothers: Alvin, Clarence, Edwin and Roy.
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Visitation: Sunday, June 3, 2007, from 5 - 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Larson Funeral Home. Visitation resumes one hour prior to the service at the Church.
Service: 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 4, 2007, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota
Clergy: Rev. Laurie Skow-Anderson, Rev. Al Grothe
Burial: Perham Village Cemetery, Perham, Minnesota
Military Honors: VFW Post 4020, Perham, Minnesota & VFW Post 5252, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota
Funeral Home: Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota
Online Guestbook: www.larsonfuneralpelicanrapids.com
