Vernon Wakefield

Vernon "Vern" Florian Wakefield, 80, of Red Wing, died Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. He was born on April 12, 1929, in Arkansaw, Wisconsin to Florence and Alice (Rein) Wakefield. He attended schools in Arkansaw and then worked at the Red Wing Potteries. On October 23, 1947, he was married to Dorothy Wiuff at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Red Wing. He then worked for S.J. Groves and Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota doing road construction, mainly in Eastern United States, from 1955 to 1964. They returned to Red Wing where he worked for Lawrence Motors for eight years, Red Wing Truck Rental for two years and then Knudsen Trucking for 28 years. After his retirement he worked part-time for River Valley Lawnscape. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, model cars, especially Fords, and watching eagles.

Survivors include two daughters, Linda (Bill) Tharalson of Red Wing and Anita (David) Strauss of Balsam Lake, Wisconsin; three grandchildren, Michael (Jill) Tharalson, Veronica Knutson and Kelli Peterson; six great grandchildren, Cody Peterson, Tyler Knutson, Trever Knutson, Steven Tharalson, Desiree Lopez and Erica Tharalson; four brothers, Darrell (Hannelore) Wakefield of San Antonio, Texas, Larry (Myrna) Wakefield of Ellsworth, Glen (Sharon) Wakefield of Ellsworth and Michael (Diane) Wakefield of Albuquerque, New Mexico; four sisters, Dorothy (Walter) Hofacker of Spring Valley, Wisconsin, Bernice (Jim) Wik of Aleva, Wisconsin, Sandra (Larry) Vevang of Hudson, Wisconsin and Dell Jane (Marvin) Kannel of Elmwood, Wisconsin and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife and one grandson, Steve Tharalson.

Funeral will be 11 a.m. Monday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Red Wing with Rev. Kristen Schlauderaff officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Oakwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Michael, Glenn and Larry Wakefield, Bob Kannel, Roger Wiuff and Larry Vevang. Honorary pallbearers will be Richard View, Ron Lidgerding, his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Mahn Family funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and at the church for one hour prior to the service. www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com