Vernon Frederick Flesch Jr.

STOUGHTON, Wis. - With sorrow, we acknowledge the passing of Vernon Frederick Flesch, Jr.

Vern was born to Virginia and Vernon Flesch Sr. in 1941 in Ironwood, Michigan. Vern was raised with siblings, Susie "Eileen," Patrick, William and Louise in Mercer, primarily by their mother, Virgie. Vern thrived as the oldest sibling, and he held his siblings in great love and care until death separated them.

Vernon married Jerrilyn "Jerri" Jean Bos in September of 1966, and together, Vern and Jerrilyn raised three children, Christine, David and Paul Henry, first in Mercer and later in Stoughton. Vern and Jerrilyn very much enjoyed each other's company during retirement, as well as the company of family, including the five grandchildren they shared. Vern was a former U.S. Marine and served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 28 years.

In 2005, Vern sustained the loss of his beloved wife as well as his youngest sister, Louise. In 2006, Vern experienced the devastating and unexpected death of his son, Paul. Under the cloud of loss, Vern reconnected with a former classmate from Mercer, Jean Roamer, and they married until illness forced a separation. We are forever thankful for Jean's presence in Vern's life as he navigated his grief journey.

Vern was active in many endeavors throughout his retirement, including travel, playing golf and biking with his Active Seniors group. Vern was previously a member and leader of a widow/widowers organization that supported newly widowed individuals, and he was also active in Compassionate Friends, an organization dedicated to child death support for surviving parents. Vern was a long-time deconstruction volunteer for Habitat for Humanity for many years as well. We thank all the individuals who became friends with Vern via these activities. Many of you truly made his final years productive and happy.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Virginia (Sleight) Flesch; his wife, Jerrilyn Jean Bos; his sister, Louise; son, Paul Henry; brother, Patrick; and a 16-year-old little dog named Riley, with whom Vern shared a special and close bond.

Vern and Jerrilyn placed great priority on family, which is their greatest legacy. Vern is survived by his daughter, Christine Flesch (Glenn Dwyer) Dwyer; son, David Flesch and his former spouse, Monica Flesch; grandchildren, Ben, Isaiah, Aaron, Caroline and Alex; and his great-granddaughter, Addison. We wish to acknowledge Addison's mother, Sarah Dwyer, as the beautiful soul who gave us Vern's first great-grandchild, as well as her invaluable support as we navigated Vern's health crisis. Vern is also survived by two siblings, William "Bill" Flesch and Susie "Eileen" Evers; along with many nieces and nephews, for whom Vern held great affection despite time and distance.

A celebration of life will be held at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave., Madison, Wisconsin, at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, during which time we will enjoy a glass of Vern's favorite wine and share memories. A second celebration of life will be held at the Mercer Community Center, 2518 Martha Lake Road, Mercer, Wisconsin, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21. Vern will be interred in the Mercer Cemetery the same day.

In lieu of flowers, we request donations be made to the Mercer Public Library in Vern's name at mercerpubliclibrary.org/donate/. Vern was an avid reader, and he would be delighted to support the library in the town where his roots are so deep.

Online condolences may be made at gundersonfh.com.