Vernon Iverson, 83, died Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at MeritCare Northwest Campus, Thief River Falls, MN with his loving wife, Clara at his side.

Funeral service will be 10:30 AM Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Ekelund Lutheran Church, rural Goodridge, MN, with Reverend Robert Dahlen officiating. Burial will follow at Ekelund Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5-8 PM Friday, May 8, 2009 with a 7:00 PM prayer service at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Gary Johnson officiating. Visitation will also be held from 9:30 AM until time of services on Saturday at church.

Vernon Richard Iverson was born April 24, 1926 at home in Star Township, Pennington County, MN, the son of Gust and Jenny (Bommerud) Iverson. He was baptized May 26, 1926, at Cloverleaf School, which was being used for church service and confirmed September 18, 1940 by Reverend Fladmark. He grew up and attended rural school in Star Township and attended Crookston Agricultural College, Crookston, MN.

On June 19, 1948, Vernon was united in marriage to Clara Haugen at Oak Park Lutheran Church by Reverend Lie. In 1949 the couple purchased a farm in Star Township, Pennington County where they cleared the land, farmed small grains, raised sheep, milked cows and spent the next 60 years together. Vernon was involved in all types of farm work, both in Minnesota and North Dakota, such as sheep shearing, harvesting and potato picking. He was a hard worker and did a good job at whatever he did.

Vernon was a member of Ekelund Lutheran Church, the church council, school board and township board. He loved trapping, deer hunting, visiting, and especially enjoyed his family and friends. Music was also big part of Vernons life. He first sang in public at the age of 6 years at a Christmas program at the Cloverleaf School, the song was Springtime In The Rockies . In his early 20s, Vernon had his own weekly musical request radio show on KTRF. He played in many bands over the years with the most recent being Ramblin Fever. Vernon loved to jam with his family and friends; and played for countless funerals, weddings, anniversary parties, jam sessions and community events. He had an unbelievable repertoire of songs he knew from memory. Vernons last public appearance was at Greenleaf Assisted Living Center in Thief River Falls on January 1, 2009.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Clara, Goodridge, MN; daughter, Sandra (Tim) Radniecki, Erskine, MN and son, Harlen (fiance, Linda Russell), Hallock, MN; 5 grandchildren, Sara (Kim) Radniecki Rosendahl, Jill (Aaron) Radniecki Chervestad, Jenny (Jay) Iverson Klein, Margo (Aaron) Iverson Schwenzfeier and Kyle (friend, Becca Erdahl) Iverson; 8 great grandchildren, Hailey, Jack and Caleb Rosendahl, Owen and Alexa Chervestad, Eva and Reggie Schwenzfeier, and Jamison Klein; sisters, Geneva Sparby and Ruth (Donald) Mosbeck, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Vernon was preceded in death by parents; brothers, Alfred and Glennie; sister, Anna (Kenneth) Kriel; sister-in-law, Clenora Iverson; brothers-in-law, Oscar Sparby and Kenneth Kriel.

SPECIAL MUSIC: Diane Johnson " Soon And Very Soon , Gathering Flowers For the Masters Bouquet , and Go Rest High On That Mountain
SPECIAL MUSIC: Vernon Wold & Carol Tharaldson " Sheltered In The Arms Of Jesus & Where The Roses Never Fade
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: When Peace Like a River & Here I Am Lord
CASKETBEARERS: Vernons nephews " Kelly Mosbeck, Bruce Kriel, Bobby Kriel, Richard Sparby, Leslie Iverson, Meldon Eliason