The Fergus Falls Daily Journal

Vernon Gorentz, died Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls.

Vernon Walter Gorentz was born July 26, 1929, in Dora Township in rural Vergas to Gustav and Julianne (Harke) Gorentz. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Loon Lake near Vergas.

He served in the armed forces during the Korean War and was a member of the John Bridges American Legion Post.

Following his discharge from the service, he farmed with his brother on the home farm. He later went into business for himself doing road grading, snow plowing and ditch mowing for Dora Township.

Vern married Caroline (Janke) Bunkowske Sept. 2, 1978, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Frazee. They made their home in Frazee for three years and returned to Vergas in 1981.

He entered the Frazee Care Center and moved to the Veterans Memorial Home in December 2012.

Vern was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and had served on the church board.

He is survived by his wife: Caroline of Vergas; five step-children, Carmen (Steve) Ehnert of Vergas, Margie Gilles of St. Paul, Keith (Shelley) Bunkowske of Vergas, Joan (Jeffrey) Niemann of Bismarck, N.D., and Renee (Paul) Barta of Monroe, Wis.; 16 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren, two brothers, the Rev. Bernard (Carol) Gorentz of Park Rapids and Gerald Gorentz of Vergas; and two sisters, Elfrieda Damlo of Frazee and Eleanor (Conrad) Ohm of Detroit Lakes.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John, Clarence and Edward; and a step-son, Myron Bunkowske.

Visitation: Friday from 5 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church, and one hour prior to the service

Service: 11 a.m. Saturday, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Vergas,

Clergy: Rev. Robert Hinckley

Burial: St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery

Funeral Home: Furey Funeral Home, Frazee

Condolences may be sent online at www.fureyfh.com