Vern Tech

Vernet R. Tech, Jr. was born March 17, 1927, on a farm southwest of Dow City, Iowa, the son of Vernet E. Tech, Sr. and MayLou Tech. He passed away Thursday, February 21, 2019, at Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison, Iowa, at the age of ninety-one.
He was baptized and confirmed in St. John Lutheran Church in Charter Oak and received his education at the Dow City and Charter Oak country schools. Following his education, he helped his dad, his Uncle Art Samuelson and several neighbors on their farms.
In 1943, he worked at Armour packing house. In 1945, he served in the US Army and was assigned to the 6th Infantry Division and 24th Core. He spent time overseas in Japan and South Korea, receiving several medals and was honorably discharged in 1947.
On December 18, 1947, Vern was united in marriage to Mabel Hottendorf. The couple made their home in Denison and were blessed with five children: Vernet Allen, Larry, Jacqueline, Richard and Denise. In 1948, he went to work at Armour Creameries in Denison, driving a route truck, picking up produce from area farmers. In 1958, Vern went to California and worked at Douglas Air Craft and Holly Manufacturing as a spot welder. When returning home in 1959, he sold his home in Denison and purchased a farm east of Dow City. He ran a cream station in Correctionville and Dunlap. He sold the farm in 1962 and moved back to Denison. In 1970, he moved back to the town of Dow City and purchased three dump trucks. He hauled material for road contractors and also hauled rock for farmers’ lanes and driveways. They eventually purchased the farm north of Dow City in 1978 and continued his rock hauling business. In 1996, he retired and purchased their home in Denison, but due to health concerns they moved to Oakwood Apartments in 2003.
For many years, Vern enjoyed decorating his third-floor lobby. In Vern’s younger years, he enjoyed trapping, hunting and fishing with his dad. He took a lot of pride in his flowers, gardening and his famous tomatoes. He was an avid Cardinals baseball fan. He enjoyed making the World Series baseball pools and socializing with friends. He took great pride in his vehicles and keeping them looking nice. Vern and his wife Mabel enjoyed trips to California, Arizona, Las Vegas and Mexico every winter. He enjoyed trips to the casino with his siblings, spending time in Okoboji and driving around the countryside visiting different towns.
We will always remember Vern by his trademark ink pens. He always said he was real fortunate in his work and travels to have met and known so many good people.
Vernet is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mabel in 2007; one daughter, Jacqueline; two grandsons, Chad and Chadrick; one granddaughter, Kari; two sisters, Betty and Norma; brothers-in-law, LuVerne, Leonard, Milroy, Raymond, Robert, Paul, Harold, Edmond, Chester, and LeRoy; sisters-in-law, Margaret, Clara, Rosaline and Lois.
Survivors include: his three sons, Allen and his wife, Kathy, Larry and his wife, Shirley, and Richard; one daughter, Denise and her husband, Tom; fourteen grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; special friend, Dorothy; two brothers, Denny and his wife, Camille and Duane; one sister, Phyllis and special friend, Don; sisters-in-law, Carleen and Lucille; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.