Vernon Freese

     Vernon Ray Freese, age 84, of Worthington, MN, passed away Thursday, November 14, 2024, at the South Shore Care Center in Worthington, MN, surrounded by family.

     Visitation with the family present will be Monday, November 18, 2024, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the American Reformed Church in Worthington, MN. 

     The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at the American Reformed Church in Worthington, MN, with Rev. Allen Salwei officiating. The burial will follow lunch and fellowship time at the Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley, IA.

     Vernon Freese was born on August 22, 1940, on a farm near Little Rock, IA, the son of Cornelius and Jessie (De Boer) Freese. Vernon attended Little Rock Community School and graduated from Little Rock High School in 1958. As a young man, he drove truck routes, picking up eggs and milk. On January 28, 1959, he was united in marriage to Sandra Schaa at the Central Baptist Church in George, IA. 

    Throughout the years, they lived, renovated, and made their homes in Sibley, Little Rock, Rushmore, Ocheyedan, and Worthington. Vernon was quite literally the jack of all trades. He managed Voss Glass Supply Co. and worked evenings at H&R Block, which he would later go on to own. He started Worthington Glass & Sign Co. Over the years, while in the glass business, he remodeled many downtown storefronts in the surrounding communities. For a short time, he owned the Worthington Livestock Sales Co. where he was an auctioneer and worked alongside his family who helped him run the sale barn. He worked his whole life as a carpenter doing home remodels and enjoyed being able to help his family renovate their homes. In his later years, he had many part-time jobs to keep himself busy and worked until the age of 83. His family meant the world to him. He adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a member of the American Reformed Church in Worthington, MN. Vernon died this past Thursday morning, November 14, 2024, at the South Shore Care Center in Worthington, MN, at the age of 84. He will be dearly missed.

     Vernon is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sandra of Worthington, MN; three children, Lisa (Glen) Burnham of Worthington, MN, Lori (Jim) Schutte of Rushmore, MN and Shane (Jennifer) Freese of Fairmont, MN; eight grandchildren, Jeani Harms (special friend, Justin Ahlers), Dawna (Rodney) Burkard, Megan (Toby) Bertsch, Vernon (Natasha) Schutte, James (Brooke) Schutte Jr., Matthew Schutte, Cody Freese, and Kaitlyn Freese; and thirteen great-grandchildren.

     Vernon was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Valerie Dawn; infant great-grandson, Beck Cornelius Schutte; parents, Cornelius and Jessie; siblings, Viola Krull, Bernice Winters, John and Lawrence Freese.