Vernon Roy Holthusen was born October 4, 1914 at Elizabeth, MN, the son of Fred and Ida (Olson) Holthusen. The family lived in the Thorhult, MN area. Vernon grew up and attended Sandridge School.

On April 16, 1950, Vernon was united in marriage to Ellen Johnson at the Lutheran Parsonage in Grygla, MN. The couple made their home at Thorhult. Vernon was self employed. He also did some trucking for 5 years. He worked on the family sawmill with his Dad and brothers, cutting and hauling pulp during the winter. He hauled gravel until he started working at the Holthusen Construction Company, from which he retired in 1985.

Vernon was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Grygla, MN and also served on the Steenerson Township Board for many years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and bird watching.

Survived by wife, Ellen, Thorhult, MN; children, Darald, wife Lorraine and their children, Stacy, Joey and Tobey, Thorhult, MN, Gene, wife Jodie and their children, Erin, Caleb, Zachary and Jordan, Viking, MN, Elayne, husband Wade Sundberg and their children, Katy, Heidi, Lars and Rebecca, Grygla, MN and Marilyn, husband Jerry Botko and their children, Kelly, Terri and Patrick, Coon Rapids, MN; seven great grandchildren, sister, Dorothy and husband, Clifford Ness, Delphos, OH; sister in laws, Hazel Holthusen and Ardell Roen, both Grygla, MN.

Preceded in death by parents, sisters, Evelyn Tanem and Francis Wikert, brothers, Royal, Johnny and Herbert (Alvina) Holthusen, nephews, Arnold and Jimmy Tanem.