Vern Dallen, a lifelong Cloud County resident, died March 2, 2019, at the age of 102. He was born on March 17, 1916, the son of Leon and Laura (Bonaly) Dallen, and was raised on a farm north of Miltonvale. He married Clementine Breault of Aurora on October 5, 1937. They had one son, James, of Spokane, Washington, who survives.
Both farming and carpentry were in his family tradition. Vern and Clementine first farmed near Miltonvale and then east of Aurora, moving to Concordia in 1956 as carpentry and contracting took more of his time than farming. He estimated that he had built or remodeled about 70 homes in the area. He retired from building in 1978 and later from farming.
They enjoyed traveling, often with friends, sometimes to casinos, and once to the Holy Land. They moved into Mount Joseph in 2004. Clementine died in 2007 at the age of 92, a few months before their 70th anniversary. His brother, Earl, and sister, Ilene Cote Reece, also died before him. In addition to his son, Vern is survived by his nephews, Dennis (Kathy) Cote of Akron, OH, and Gary Cote of Manhattan; his nieces-in-law, Regis Keefe of Winchester, CA, and Luise Brown of Concordia.
Vern’s devotion as husband and father and his patience and reluctance to complain are well known. Even as his hearing and memory failed, he appreciated visits, the care received from Dr. Poore and hospital staff, and the consistent kindness of Mount Joseph residents and staff. He still had things to look forward to—seeing his crops growing and harvested and the Royals winning!
Vern was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Concordia and the funeral Mass will be celebrated there at 10:00 am, Friday, March 8, 2019, with burial immediately after at St. Concordia Cemetery. Friends may sign the register book from 9 am to 9 pm and the vigil service will be at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home at 6:00 pm, Thursday, March 7, 2019. No flowers, please. If you wish to honor a farmer and builder, please contribute to a charity that feeds the hungry or shelters the homeless. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.