LeVerne Brendmoen

LeVerne "Vern" Brendmoen, 86, of Fergus Falls, died Monday, April 2, 2007, at his home. He was born December 10, 1920, on the family farm near Nome, North Dakota, the son of John M. and Gorda (Barstad) Brendmoen. He attended country school near Nome. Vern joined the National Guard of North Dakota in 1938, when he was 17 years old. He served with the U.S. Army in World War II from January 2, 1941 to September 21, 1945, serving at Guadalcanal, the Solomon and Fiji Islands, and Bougainville. He also spent time in Australia, and served near San Francisco prior to his discharge. He earned several medals including the Bronze Star, the American-Pacific Theatre Ribbon, the American Defense Service Ribbon, the Good Conduct Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation with one star, the Combat Infantry Badge, two Bronze Battle Stars, five Overseas Service Bars, and one Hash Mark. On March 12, 1945, while Vern was in the service, he married Gladys "Sally" Linerud at Gretna, Louisiana, which was near the army base. He worked at area farms before he entered the service. His career with J.C. Penney started in the fall of 1945. He worked in Valley City, North Dakota, and Fergus Falls, Minnesota as a clerk, buyer, and manager, retiring on January 2, 1983. He was a life member of Fergus Falls VFW Post 612, and First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls where he taught Sunday School. In his younger years Vern liked to play on the church softball team. He won first prize in a father-son bowling tournament. He enjoyed woodworking (wishing wells, treasure chests and wagons) and liked collecting model horses. He also liked to follow the news and read the newspaper. Preceding him in death were his parents; four brothers: Selmer, Gordon, Orville, and Norel; and an infant sister. Survivors include his wife, Sally, of Fergus Falls; three sons: Terry (Nancy) of Champlin, Michael (Jody) of Fergus Falls, and Scott (Wendy) of Underwood; grandchildren: Kimberly of Aitkin, Kerry (Nikki) of Minneapolis, Kevin of Fridley, Jordan of Champlin, and Brittany and Brandon of Fergus Falls; great-grandchildren: Andrew, Kristy, Chase, Cody, Brandi, Jessee, Dylan, and Trevor; two sisters: Pearl Lee of Fargo and Charlotte (Richard) Daugherty of Redondo Beach, California; and one brother, Raymond. Visitation is from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with a 5 p.m. prayer service, and one hour prior to the service. The service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Olson Funeral Home Chapel in Fergus Falls, with Reverend Matt Philaya officiating. Interment will be atFirst Lutheran North Cemetery, Fergus Falls, with military participation by the Fergus Falls VFW and American Legion Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of arrangements.