Vernon Uhlenkamp

Vernon Charles Uhlenkamp, age 74, passed away June 22, 2018 at his home in Sauk Centre. He died peacefully, doing what he loved; caring for his trees.

A Christian burial service is being held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 27th at Zion Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre with Pastor Marty Porter officiating. Interment will be held at Unity Cemetery in Getty Township with military honors by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m., Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church.

Vern was born on September 14, 1943 in Sauk Centre, to Carl and Kate (Laumeyer) Uhlenkamp. He was raised on the family farm and worked for neighboring farms while attending country school. He joined the National Guard at age 19, served between 1961-1968, was on active duty during the Cuban Missile crisis, and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Vern was a lifelong entrepreneur who had his hands in multiple businesses, including dairy and crop farming, Elrosa Dairy Equipment, Elrosa Flats & Foundations, and Uhlenkamp Refrigeration.

Vern met Irene Wolbeck at a dance at the Sauk Centre Coliseum in 1962. They were married on September 19, 1964, raised seven children together, and enjoyed 53 years of marriage.

Vern was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 67, holding multiple offices, including Post Commander and also served on the Honor Guard. He was a founding member of the Eagles Club, and a member and trustee at Zion Lutheran Church.

Vern enjoyed hunting, trapping, fishing, restoring farm machinery and tending to his groves of trees. He also enjoyed Bible prophecy & history and loved a good philosophical or political argument. He spent most of his life planning, creating, and building things; everything from his homes to a custom bridge across his pond. Vern needed a few more lifetimes to finish all the projects he envisioned.

Vern is survived by his wife, Irene (Wolbeck) of Sauk Centre; seven children, Randy (Dee Dee) Uhlenkamp of West Union, Renee (Chris) Moening of Elk River, Robyn (Myron) Lehman of Belton, Texas, Wendy (Matt) Ironi of Sauk Centre, Angie (Scott) Rothkamp of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Russ (Rochelle) Uhlenkamp of Sauk Centre, Bowen Uhlenkamp of Washington D.C., and Keith Wanderscheid of Sauk Centre who was like a son; 20 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and one on the way. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Cora (Julian) Weiner, Alice Wanderscheid, Lyle (Marilyn) Uhlenkamp, Bob (Lois) Uhlenkamp, Roger (Cindy) Uhlenkamp, and Pat (Joni) Uhlenkamp; and sisters-in-law, Bernice Uhlenkamp and Marlene Uhlenkamp.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ernie, Dave (Hazel), and Don Uhlenkamp.

Pallbearers are grandsons, Joshua, Derek and Ethan Uhlenkamp, Cole Moening, Barett Woida, and Dominic Ironi. Cross bearer will be his grandson, Gabe Rothkamp and scripture bearer will be his grandson, Amiel Uhlenkamp.