Vern Heglund

Vernon Milton Heglund was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 19, 1931 to Milton and Inga Heglund.  He had two older sisters, Dorothy and Phyllis.  On September 11, 2016, Vern went to be with the Lord at the age of 85.   He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara.  We know he’s enjoying coffee on the front porch with her now, in their eternal heavenly home.

Vern is survived by 5 daughters:  Gwen Danielson with husband Tim; Maril Doster with husband Michael; Kathy Wenninger with husband Steve; Carol Mathews with husband Mark; and Nancy Soderstrom with husband Ryan.

Vern and Barb were blessed with 14 grandchildren: Kelly, Leslie, Melissa, Tina, Eli, Andrew, Joshua, Sara, Elizabeth, Samuel, John, Alaina, Grant, and Luke.

At the time of Vern’s passing, the blessing had continued to include 16 great-grandchildren: Chayse, Colton, Connor, Madison, Parker, Delaney, Beckett, Carson, Benjamin, John, Julia, Ariel, Orlando, Eli, Kayla, and Liliora.

Vern enjoyed a long and fruitful career with Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, later called US West.  He began his career as a telephone installer and worked his way up to being a Public Relations Manager.  His influence included communities throughout the Twin Cities and Southern Minnesota.

In his childhood, Vern was the beneficiary of a loving mentorship by his mother’s brother, “Uncle Andy.”  Andy spent many hours with Vern, teaching him the value of hard work and sharing the love of fishing – a passion that Vern followed for the rest of his life.  Every June, Vern, Barb and family would head north to Outing, Minnesota, spending time on Lake Washburn, Donut Lake, Lake Roosevelt, and others, searching for the best spots to land the elusive walleye.    His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were able to share the fun of “fishing for sunnies with a cane pole” – even if it was a “let’s pretend” fishing trip from the front swing of his home.

Vern passed along that blessing of mentorship throughout his years.  He shared his time and love for the Lord with many boys through the church “Boys Brigade” program and Sunday School classes. His encouraging spirit was felt even to his last days as he would share a smile and a chuckle with young men who cared for him at the Wellstead Care Center.  “Watch out for that guy,” Vern would say, pointing to a young man across the room, “he’s loaded with the big bucks!”

Vern’s love for Jesus Christ was a theme throughout his life, and was demonstrated in his love for bringing the gospel to the nations of the world.  Over the years, he partnered with missionaries and mission groups around the world – Morocco, Zaire, and Missionary Aviation Fellowship, just to name a few.

Airplanes were another life-long passion of Vern’s.  He got the “flying bug” as a child, and eventually fulfilled his dream by becoming a licensed pilot, flying small planes out of Crystal Airport.

Vern lead a full and beautiful life, and was welcomed home to heaven by the Lord..most likely with the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Gearty-Delmore Robbinsdale Chapel 3888 West Broadway Robbinsdale, MN 55422

Monday, September 19, 2016

Brookdale Covenant Church 5139 Brooklyn Blvd. Brooklyn Center, MN 55429