Obituary of Vernon Doden

Vernon was born on March 12, 1924, in Monticello to Rhinehart and Katherine E (Hayen) Doden. Vernon was a lifelong resident of Monticello. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthew Lutheran Church and received his formal education in the Monticello Schools. After completing school in Des Moines to be an airplane mechanic, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force June 8, 1943. He was honorably discharged February 18, 1946. On June 23, 1949 Vern was united in marriage to Odelia M. Knepper at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Cascade, IA. He farmed in the Monticello area and sold fertilizer, feed, agricultural and commercial buildings. After retiring, he served as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for the Monticello Ambulance Service. He was a member of Sacred Heart parish and the American Legion. Vernon is survived by his wife Odelia; 12 children: Deb Hines of Des Moines, Dianne (Todd) Hummel of Cedar Rapids, IA, Marla Jacobs of Colorado Springs, CO, Cathy (Mike) Kirley of Woodbury, MN, Greg (Cheryle) Doden of Pittsburg, CA, Sharon Bryant of Cedar Rapids, IA, Rochelle Stasi of Green Mountain Falls, CO, Patrice (Johnny) Cook of Monticello, Lynette (John) Fisher of Ellsworth, IA, Lisa (Kevin) Steiner of Monticello, Kim (Joel) Salow of Center Point, IA, Mike (Becki) Doden of Bend, OR; 39 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; and one brother Willis (Rita) Doden of Tulsa, OK; 4 sisters-in-law: Josephine Neville, Monica Oyen; Marian (Donald) Kearney, Laurabelle (Wolfe) Knepper; 2 brothers-in-law Cyril (Maureen) Knepper, Norbert (Mary Lou) Knepper. He was preceded in death by his parents, a great-granddaughter Rylee M. Gray, his brother Leonard and sister-in-law Maiza Doden, 6 brothers-in-law: Arnold Knepper, Ambrose "Sam" Knepper, Francis Knepper, Harry Neville, LeRoy McDermott, John "Chet" Oyen; 2 sisters-in-law: Hilda McDermott and Harriet Knepper. Vern was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather, who cherished family, home and friends. His humor, joy and love of the land enriched all who knew him. We will miss him. A memorial has been established in his memory.