Vernon Otto Gehrman (1924 - 2014)

Born 5 May 1924 in Almena, Barron, Wisconsin, United States

Ancestors

Died 3 Feb 2014 at age 89 in Polk, Wisconsin, United States

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Biography

Vernon was born in 1924. He was the son of Mike Gehrman and Emma Marxmann.

The family of Mike and Emma Gehrman can be found in the 1930 Census of Amery, Wisconsin. Those in the household included Mike W Gehrman (34 yrs), Head of Household, occupation, Section Laborer for the Railroad, born in Minnesota, Emma L Gehrman (34 yrs), born in Illinois, Marvin A Gehrman (9 yrs), Vernon O Gehrman (5 yrs) and Lester H Gehrman (3 yrs). The children were all born in Wisconsin.

At the time of the 1940 Census, the family of Mike and Emma Gehrman can again be found in Amery. Wisconsin. Those in the household included Mike Gehrman (44 yrs), HEad of Household, occupation, Common Laborer at the Fish Hatchery, Emma Gehrman (44 yrs), Marvin Gehrman (19 yrs), occupation, Common Laborer at the Canning Factory, Vernon Gehrman (15 yrs) and Lester Gehrman (13 yrs). Marvin had completed 4 years of High School, Vernon 1 year and Lester had completed 6th Grade.

From his Find a Grave Memorial:

On May 5, 1924, in Almena, WI, Barron County, Vernon Otto Gehrman was born to Friedrich Ludwig Karl "Mike" Gehrman and Emma Louise Marxman Gehrman. He was baptized on May 28, 1924 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Almena, WI. His sponsors were Otto and Margarethe (Marxman) Fischer.

In 1928 at the age of four years old he and his family moved from the farm in Almena to Amery, WI. He was confirmed on June 19th, 1938 at Redeemer Lutheran church. Vern attended school in Amery, WI, where he graduated in 1943. A severely broken leg at the age of 14 did not hamper his ability to partake in sports, dancing, and enjoying life. He spent many years pitching baseball for Amery, Clayton and Milltown.

After graduation he worked at Bunny's Grocery Store, followed by Lincoln Cash clothing and grocery store, and Conrad's grocery store. In 1946 he met JoAnn Peterson while she was waitressing at the Corner Café in Amery. They were married October 8, 1950 at Deronda Lutheran church. Vern and JoAnn rented a few places before purchasing their home at 287 Summit Avenue in Amery around 1952.

Vern enjoyed spending time in the woods hunting and on the lake fishing. Together they enjoyed bowling and dancing. In 1955, their first son Robert Carl was born. In 1957, they welcomed a second son Rodney. In 1958, Vern began his career at Stella Cheese in Amery, where he was a cheese maker/laborer. Their daughter Diane was born in 1960. The family of five spent a lot of time together, taking numerous family trips camping along the Trade River, along Lake Superior, and to Jellystone Park, in Warrens, WI. Vern continued working for Stella Cheese after it moved to Clayton, WI and in 1982 at the age of 58, he retired.

Vern and JoAnn welcomed 3 granddaughters: Melanie in 1980, Sarah in 1983, and Bethanie, 1984. Vern was able to spend many happy hours with his girls, including attending all of their piano recitals and band concerts throughout their school years. He also deeply enjoyed being a part of the lives of his honorary grandchildren, Calvin, Maggie & Lizzie Rosen. Vern was blessed with 2 great-grandchildren, Carly Ann Rassbach 2011, and Jason Daniel Rassbach 2012, and was always thrilled to spend time with them. On Monday February 3rd, 2014, Vern left his earthly home to be welcomed into the hands of God to enjoy eternity in Heaven, joining his loving parents and brother Marvin "Pete" Gehrman.

He passed away in 2014.

Sources

• 1930 U.S. Federal Population Census of 1st Ward, Amery, Polk County, Wisconsin, Dwelling #342, Family #361, Sheet 14-A, Lines 22-26 recorded 4/29/1930
• 1940 U.S. Federal Population Census of Amery, Polk County, Wisconsin, Dwelling #303, Sheet 14-A, Lines 8-12 recorded 4/29/1940
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/124750454/vernon-otto-gehrman: accessed 03 August 2022), memorial page for Vernon Otto Gehrman (5 May 1924–3 Feb 2014), Find a Grave Memorial ID 124750454, citing Deronda Cemetery, Deronda, Polk County, Wisconsin, USA; Maintained by Karen Peterson Riley (contributor 47532537).