Vernon "Vern" Norman Stenberg, 87, died on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at Oakland Park Communities in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM, Monday, February 16, 2009 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. John Voelker, PH.D., officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be from 3-6 on Sunday, February 15, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a 5:00 PM Prayer Service. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Monday.

Vernon Norman Stenberg was born July 20, 1921 the son of Norman and Stella (Burdick) Stenberg in Pennington County, MN. The family moved to Thief River Falls when Vern was three years old.

Vern attended Thief River Falls schools from first grade through eleventh grade when the family moved to Baudette. In early 1942, he joined the United States Navy and served in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in September, 1945.

He was united in marriage to Fern Brodin in 1945 in Baltimore, MD. The couple made their home in Thief River Falls, where Vern worked for Culligan Soft Water. Vern later went to work for Hamm Brewing Company in Thief River Falls and also worked for Coca Cola in Illinois for 14 years. Vern and the family returned to Thief River Falls in the early 1970s and he worked at Arctic Cat. He also worked at Northwestern Hospital, Trinity Lutheran Church, and Hardware Hank in Thief River Falls, MN.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, VFW, Thief River Falls and American Legion, East Grand Forks. Vern enjoyed crafting, woodworking, snowmobiling, bowling, hunting and fishing.

Survivors include wife, Fern Stenberg, Thief River Falls; son, Greg (Angie) Stenberg, Scottsdale, AZ; daughters, Kris Stenberg, Thief River Falls, and Jill (fianc Brian Schindler) Stenberg, Thief River Falls; 8 grandchildren: Heather Maslanik, Laura Stenberg, Tiffany (fianc Seth Carlson) Stenberg, Harlee Stenberg, Julianna Stenberg, Daniel Stenberg, Justin Sundvall, Cody Stenberg; and 4 great grandchildren: Storm, Spencer, Austin, and Sky.

He is preceded in death by parents; and a brother, Kenneth.

ORGANIST: Ida Nordvall
SOLOIST: Janann Roodzant
SELECTIONS: Amazing Grace
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: What A Friend We Have In Jesus, The Old Rugged Cross, Eternal Father Strong To Save
MILITARY HONORS: Thief River Falls American Legion and VFW Posts