Vernon B. Kappes, 65, died Thursday, September 5, 2002 at Viking Manor Nursing Home, Ulen, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:30 PM, Monday, September 9, 2002 at St. Bernards Catholic Church, Thief River Falls, MN, Father Tim McGee officiating. Burial will be at St. Bernards Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be 3 " 6 PM, Sunday, September 8, 2002 at Johnson-Green Funeral Home, Thief River Falls, MN, with a 5 PM prayer service and for one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.

Vernon B. Kappes was born November 4, 1936, in Borup, MN, the son of Louis and Florence (Boerger) Kappes. He was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic Faith. He grew up, attended school and graduated from Borup High School.

On May 31, 1955, Vernon enlisted in the United States Air Force at Fargo, ND. He attended Sheppard AFB, Texas and became an aircraft mechanic. On May 21, 1960, Vernon was united in marriage to Marion Geray in Beaulieu, MN. He was honorably discharged on May 30, 1963. Following his discharge, he attended McConnell Airline School in Minneapolis, MN. He began working for North Central Airlines, which eventually became Northwest Airlines. The couple lived in Grand Forks, ND, Thief River Falls, MN, Mankato, MN, Dayton, OH and Wausau, WI. He retired in 1990.

Vernon was a member of St. Bernards Catholic Church and the American Legion Ecklund-Holmstrom Post #117 of Thief River Falls. He liked to travel, polka dance, garden, deer hunt, being outdoors, watch the Minnesota Twins and Vikings and he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandkids. He was involved in many organizations to help the handicapped.

Survivors include wife, Marion, Thief River Falls, MN; children, Jean (Darby) Barron, Thief River Falls, MN, Jacqueline (Brian) Hunt, Maple Grove, MN, Jerold and James, both Thief River Falls, MN; 6 grandchildren, Justin, Jared, Danielle, Jamie, Joshua and Tashia; 7 brothers and sisters, Virgil, Sioux Falls, SD, Norbert (Evelyn), Minneapolis, MN, Russell (Inez), Greenbush, MN, Chester (Barbara), Minneapolis, MN, Louis (Laurie) Jr., Baxter, MN, Diane, (Terry) Patterson, San Jose, CA and Benno, Brainerd, MN; a sister-in-law, Jane Bauer, Minneapolis, MN and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by parents, 2 brothers, Nicholas and James and a sister, Marcella.