Vernon Parr
Vernon E. Parr, 82, of Viroqua passed away Sunday, May 27, 2012 in the love and comfort of his wife, Elaine at Bethel Home in Viroqua, Wis. He was born on April 6, 1930 and was the second youngest of seven children born to Lulu (Waddell) and Rev. Ralph E. Parr. Vernon was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, that will be missed by all in more ways than words can describe. He married his high school sweetheart, Elaine Joan Rusdal on March 15, 1949 and they enjoyed 63 wonderful years together, living in the Madison, WI area and for the past 20 plus years in their hometown of Viroqua.
Vernon was employed for many years in the trucking business as an over-the-road driver, dispatcher and terminal manager. The open road was on of his true passions and even after retirement enjoyed getting “behind the wheel” and taking a drive to the Mississippi River or to visit his children and grandchildren in Madison and Montana. He also enjoyed watching the Packers, Badgers and Brewers and after any game one of those teams lost (especially the Packers) had a full critique available to family, friends or anyone that would make the mistake of asking what he thought about the game.
Vernon and Elaine were blessed with five children, that were the pride of their lives. He is survived by his wife, Elaine; children, Steven (Linda), Madison, WI, Anita (Dennis) Fitzgerald, Mesa, AZ, Michael, Kalispell, MT, Dwight (Sara), Whitefish, MT and Randy (Janis), Olympia, WA. Additionally, he leaves behind six grandchildren, that he absolutely adored, Melissa (Brian) Ball, Denver, CO, Rachel (Kyle) Enzweiler, Mesa, AZ, Kristin (Ryan) Basballe, Lakeville, MN, Brandon (Katy) Parr, Rosemount, MN, Abbey and Dylan Parr, Whitefish, MT; and five cherished great-grandchildren, Owen and Wesley Basballe, Lakeville, MN, and Colin and Aiden Enzweiler, Mesa, AZ, and Madaline Ball, Denver, CO. He is also survived by his sister, Laura (Kurt) Jarvis, Richland Center, WI; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Lulu; brothers, Paul and Virgil; sisters, Helen, Beulah and Betty.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua. The Rev. Lindsay Paul Jordan will officiate with burial in the Viroqua Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Thursday, May 31, from 10:00 a.m. until time of Service at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers and plants the family requests donations be made to Bethel Home & Services, 614 S. Rock Ave., Viroqua, WI or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 504 S. Main Street, Viroqua, WI.
The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.
