Vern Leroy Betcher

Vern Leroy Betcher, age 93, of Mazeppa died Friday, January 16, 2015 at his daughter's home in Goodhue. He was born on April 13, 1921 in Chester Township to Fred and Melinda (Carlon) Betcher. He attended Trout Brook Country School and Mazeppa High School. Vern farmed his whole life in the Mazeppa area. Over the years he also worked for Huettel's in Lake City, drove a gravel truck, operated a Caterpillar for Holmes Construction, and dehorned cattle. Vern was also elected Wabasha County Commissioner in 1972. He married Berdeen Luhmann on November 5, 1941 at Bremen Lutheran Church in rural Potsdam. Together they ran the farm and had five children. Berdeen died on July 20, 2011. Vern was a lifetime member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Mazeppa. He also loved to fish, trap, hunt, and do woodworking.
Vern is survived by his two daughters, Marlis Jackson (Burton) Bode of Goodhue and Arlis (Harold) Archer of Zumbrota; son, Fred (Donna) Betcher of Mazeppa; grandchildren, Todd (Cheryl) Jackson of Lake City, Marie (Marc) Bode of Goodhue, Josie (Jamie) Banitt of Mazeppa, Jennie (Dale) Sweazey of Richville, Duane (Dawn) Archer of Zumbrota, Jason (Carrie) Archer of Kenyon, John Archer of Zumbrota, Dee Anna (Craig) Linaman of Pine Island, Christina (Travis) Betcher-Lange of Bellechester, Jessica (Pete) Banitt of Zumbrota, Jared Betcher of Mazeppa, Casey (Shane) Holst of Zumbrota, and Joleen (Craig) Passe of Ellsworth, WI; step-grandchildren, Jason Bode of Ellsworth, WI, Lisa (Jeff) Majerus of Wanamingo, and Andrea (Thomas) Vann of Dodd Ridge, AR; twenty-five great-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Audrey Luhmann of Zumbro Falls; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Berdeen; daughter, Donna Mae Betcher; son, Ronald Raymond Betcher; great-granddaughter, Kyra Holst; parents, Fred and Melinda Betcher; and six sisters, Esther (John) Kennedy, Matilda (Henry) Sommerfield, Melinda (Emil) Sommerfield, Bertha (John) Kennedy, Alice (Rheinhart) Arendt, and Frieda (Leo) Sommerfield.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Mazeppa with Reverend Alan Horn officiating. Burial will follow at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Bear Valley. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are by Mahn Family Funeral Home, Larson Chapel. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.

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Visitation

JAN 21. 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (CST)

St. John's Lutheran Church - Mazeppa
Mazeppa, MN

Service

JAN 21. 2:00 PM (CST)

St. John's Lutheran Church - Mazeppa
Mazeppa, MN