Fenske, Vernon Arthur 1919-2000

FENSKE, FYE, HRUSKA, DEHEER, GAGER, SNOW

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 2/13/2016 at 12:33:56

Genealogy.com (condensed version)

VERNON ARTHUR FENSKE

On December 18, 2000 Vernon "Cotton" Fenske died at the Cresco Hospital of congestive heart failure. He was born August 8, 1919 in Osceola, Missouri, the son of Thomas Henry and Ruth (Fye) Fenske. In 1931 his family moved to the Cresco area and Verne attended rural school. He then worked for local farmers until he entered military service in the U.S. Army on February 4, 1941. During WWII, Verne served as a tank driver for the 113th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (MEC2). He fought in the Battle of Normandy as well as in northern France, Rhineland, and central Europe. Verne received a Bronze Star medal for heroic achievement in battle. After his honorable discharge from the service, he worked as a lineman for the Hawkeye Tri-County Electric Coop for 37 years.

Verne attended the First Lutheran Church of Cresco and was a member of the VFW.

On January 30, 1947 he married Ruth Hruska and they had three children. Verne is survived by his wife, Ruth, his daughter, Jolene (David) DeHeer of Grand Rapids, MI; his two sons, David of Melbourne, FL and Donald (Jo Roche) of Cresco; four grandsons, Jeff DeHeer, Scott Fenske, Jason Fenske, Jesse Fenske; two granddaughters, Kim Fenske, Kerrie Fenske; two great granddaughters, Elizabetha and Katherine; three step great grandkids; and seven step great grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Geneva (Floyd) Gager of Cresco, IA and Vera (Van) Snow of Cedar Rapids, IA as well as two brothers, Cal (Alma) Fenske of Orlando, CA and Gene (Mary) Fenske of Grinnell, IA.

The funeral was held on December 23 at 11 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Cresco, IA with Pastor Gary K. Lee and intern Gail Hermodson officiating. His daughter, Jolene DeHeer, offered a very touching family reflection of Verne.

The Bearers were Walter Brown, Billy Fenske, Dale Fenske, John Fenske, Tom Ferrie, and Alan Ferrie. The Honorary Bearers were Gilbert Pecinovsky, Merlin Kratz, Melvin Ott, Bill Ferrie, George Milbrath, Francis Walton, Emmett Borseth, Wilmer Hubka, Edward Brocka, Lawrence Peters, Bill Steffen, Roger Wentworth.

Verne will be buried be buried in the spring of 2001 at the New Oregon Cemetery in Cresco, IA.

Second obit submitted by Joy Moore

Source: Times Plain Dealer January 3, 2001, P.A2
from Elma library collection assembled by Marian (Marr) McGee

Funeral services for Verne “Cotton” Fenske were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 23 at the First Lutheran Church in Cresco, Rev. Gary K. Lee and Intern Gail Hermodson officiated. Spring interment will be in the New Oregon Cemetery. Pall bearers were: Walter Brown, John Fenske, Billy Fenske, Tom Ferrie, Dale Fenske and Alan Ferrie. Honorary bearers were: Gilbert Pecinovsky, George Milbrath, Edward Bouska, Merlin Kratz, Francis Walton, Lawrence Peters, Melvin Ott, Emmett Borseth, Bill Steffen, Bill Ferrie, Wilmer Hubka and Roger Wentworth. Lindstrom Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Verne, 81, died Monday, December 18, 2000 at the Regional Health Services Hospital in Cresco.

Verne “Cotton” Fenske was born August 8, 1919 in Oceola, MO, the son of Thomas Henry and Ruth (Fye) Fenske. In 1931 his family moved to the Cresco area and Verne attended rural school. He then worked for local farmers until he entered military service in the U.S. Army on Februrary 4, 1941. During WW II he served as a tank driver for the 113th Calvary Reconnaissance Squadron (MECZ). He fought in the Battle of Normandy as well as in northern France, Rhineland and central Europe. Verne received the Bronze Star medal for heroic achievement in battle. After his honorable discharge from the service, he worked as a lineman for the Hawkeye Tricounty Electric Coop for 37 years.

Verne attended the First Lutheran church of Cresco and was a member of the VFW.

On January 30, 1947 he married Ruth Hruska.

Survivors include his wife Ruth; one daughter: Jolene DeHeer of Grand Rapids, MI; two sons: David of Melbourne, FL and Donald of Cresco; six grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; three step grandchildren; and seven step great¬grandchildren; two sisters: Geneva Gager of Cresco and Vera Snow of Cedar Rapids; and two brothers: Cal of Orland, CA and Gene of Grinnell.