Verner “Vern” G. Haehnel

Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at Graham United Methodist Church in Rice for Vern G. Haehnel, 88 of Sauk Rapids who passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Sauk Rapids. Pastor Ric Koehn will officiate and burial will be at Benton Cemetery in Sauk Rapids. Visitation will be 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids and also one hour prior to the services at the church on Wednesday morning.

Vern was born on July 20, 1933 in Sauk Rapids to Fred and Adelaide (Doeden) Haehnel. He married Shirley Brown on October 8, 1960. Vern worked as a farmer for most of his life. After farming, he briefly worked in construction, building pole sheds and log houses. He enjoyed his work and his work was never done. Vern took pride in all that he did and he instilled that strong work ethic in his family. He also liked playing cards, traveling, woodworking and caring for his horses. Vern was a genuinely friendly and pleasant man, who enjoyed chatting with others, gardening and deer hunting.

Survivors include his wife Shirley, of Sauk Rapids; son and daughters, Paul (Lori) of Pequot Lakes, Laurie (Mike) Zitterhopf of Gering, NE, Marcia (Mike) Kyar of Lakeshore and Nancy Kampa of St. Cloud; grandchildren, Andy, Alisha, Kasey, Chelsey, Ashley, Brady and Whitney; twelve great grandchildren with one on the way; and brothers, Alfred (Beverly) of Sauk Rapids and Ernest (Diane) of Motley. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Laura Schroeder and brother, Erwin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Dementia Research (www.dementiasociety.org/donate)

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Good Shepherd Memory Cottages and to Moments Hospice, for the loving and compassionate care that was given to Vern.

Obituary, video tribute and guest book available online at: www.williamsdingmann.com