Meyer, Vernis Henry – 1925-2012

BUESSING, GOODRICH, HAUG, HOLTHAUS, MEYER, NASSIF, RENYER, SAGGARS, STEELE, TOMLINSON

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/16/2024 at 11:34:23

Vernis Henry Meyer passed away Tuesday, September 4, 2012, at home, surrounded by his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, September 8, at Assumption Catholic Church in Granger, with burial to follow at Beaver Catholic Cemetery.
Vernis was born August 18, 1925, the eldest son of Henry H. and Clara (Haug) Meyer on the family farm five miles north of Baileyville, Kansas, where he attended grade and high school. He obtained his Mechanical Engineering degree at the Indiana Institute of Technology, Ft. Wayne, Indiana in 1954. On August 25, 1954, Vernis married Thelma Renyer at St. Augustine's Church (Fidelity) Sabetha, Kansas. Following his graduation from college, Vernis and Thelma moved to Iowa where he was employed by John Deere Des Moines Works and settled in Granger, Iowa. Here they raised nine children.
As a young man growing up during the Great Depression, he enjoyed farming and livestock. Vern was always building and fixing things - - he found his career by obtaining his engineering degree. Vern was an optimist and enjoyed family gatherings as they were the most important thing in his life, and foremost in his heart. He cherished the accomplishments of his wife and his children. When the children were of school age, he took the family every summer on vacation. In order to accommodate his entire family, Vernis designed and constructed a motorhome from a GM truck chassis. He especially loved traveling to the national parks and other scenic areas of the United States and Canada.
His hobbies included family genealogy, metal artwork, wood working and traveling. During his retirement, along with his wife Thelma, they visited all 50 states and traveled abroad and visited the villages in Germany where their ancestors lived. They spent their winters at Holy Trinity Monastery, St. David, AZ for 23 years doing volunteer work.
He was active in the Assumption Church and held memberships in the Knights of Columbus, and The American Society of Agricultural Engineers. Vern served as mayor of Granger in his younger years.
Survivors include his children (and their spouses) Thomas Meyer, Bend, OR; Timothy (Terry) Meyer, Las Vegas, NV; Monica (David) Nassif, Minneapolis, MN; Maria (Pat) Steele, Adel, IA; Teresa (Roger) Goodrich, Rochester, MN; Jane Meyer, Iowa City, IA; Joseph (Susan) Meyer, Atlanta, GA; Patrick (Jackie) Meyer, Pella, IA; and Daniel (Flori) Meyer, Billings, MT; he was blessed with 22 grandchildren. Also surviving are his siblings, Donald (Marcy) Meyer of Axtell, KS, Clarence (Joan) Meyer of Soldier, KS, Sr. Mary John Meyer, OSB of Clyde, MO, Kenneth (Alice) Meyer of Baileyville, KS, Elaine Meyer of Baileyville, KS, Marilyn Holthaus of Seneca, KS, Dolores Saggars of Olathe, KS, Kathy (Richard) Buessing of Axtell, KS and Janice (Tom) Tomlinson of Sarasota, FL. Vern was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mildred Meyer and grandson Bart Steele.
The family will receive friends form 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Assumption Church where a vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Memorials contributions can be made to Assumption Church of Granger Foundation or Holy Trinity Monastery in St David's AZ. Online condolences will be welcomed at IlesCares.com.
Published in Des Moines (IA) Register; Thursday, September 6, 2012, page 5B