Vernon Kees, 88, died Monday, July 22, 2002 at Northwest Medical Center, Thief River Falls, MN

Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Monday, July 29, 2002 at Zion Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, with Rev. Gary Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be Sunday from 4-8 PM at the Johnson Green Funeral Home in Thief River Falls with a 7:00 PM prayer service. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the services in the church on Monday.

Vernon Albert Kees was born June 19, 1914 to Isaiah and Mary (McDonald) Kees at Drayton, ND. He attended the Herrick School near Drayton. On August 17, 1937 he was united in marriage to Lillian Scharmer at Grafton, ND. To this union three children were born. The couple farmed in Drayton until 1952, when they moved to Thief River Falls, where they continued to farm. In May 1963, the couple bought Fred Johnsons Boarding Home and Lillian and Vernon operated it as Kees Rest Home until retirement in 1980. Lillian died on July 18, 1985.

He was united in marriage to Vivian Rude on March 27, 1987, the couple made their home in Thief River Falls.

Vernon was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, the Eagles, and was a member of the Sons of Norway all in Thief River Falls. He enjoyed reading, traveling, collecting caps, and dancing.

Survivors include his wife, Vivian, Thief River Falls, MN; two daughters: Vivian (Harley) Knutson, Thief River Falls, MN; LaVerne Sorenson, Big Sky, MT; one son Harold Kees, Edinburg, TX; six step children: Sheryl (Claude) Mesrour, Crookston, MN; Richard, Bemidji, MN; Joe (Kathy) Rude, Billings, MT; Jean Gone, Juneau, AK; Robert (Cori) Rude, Bemidji, MN; Virginia (Gary) Haberstroh, Mandan, ND; 6 grandchildren, 14 step grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 2 step great grandchildren, one sister Dorothy Kees, Grafton, ND. He is also survived by many other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by his parents, wife Lillian, brother Donald, and one sister Elizabeth Kees.