Vernon Eugene Wevley

A dedicated public servant, proud veteran, and devoted family man, Vernon Eugene Wevley passed away on January 3, 2026, surrounded by loved ones at his Alexandria home, after a courageous battle with cancer. Known for his warmth and his belief that “strangers are friends you just haven’t met yet,” Vern lived a life defined by service, faith, and an unwavering love for his family.

A visitation for Vernon, will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria from 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM. Vernon's Funeral Service will take place on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 11 AM at Calvary Lutheran Church with Pastor Hans Dahl officiating. Interment will be in Summit Cemetery in Morris, MN. Full military honors will be accorded by the Veteran’s Memorial Honor Guard.

Early Life and Military Service

Vernon Eugene Wevley was born to Leola Marie (Kussatz) Wevley and Earl William Wevley on February 17, 1946. Vern was raised on a farm near Morris, MN and went to country school before attending public school in Morris.

A proud member of the Morris High School Class of 1964, Vern served as Class President and was active in football, Student Council, and Key Club during his high school years. He attended the University of Minnesota, Morris, for one year before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. Following Basic Training and Radio Intercept Analyst schooling in San Angelo, Texas, he was assigned to Kelly Air Force Base for further training.

Vern volunteered for service in Vietnam, where he was stationed at Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base in Saigon from December 1967 through December 1968, serving during the Tet Offensive. He later served at the Royal Thai Air Force Base in Korat, Thailand, with the Det. #7 6922nd Security Wing until his discharge in 1970.

His commitment to service continued long after his return. He joined the Air Force Reserves and later transferred to the Minnesota National Guard (Company A 136th) in 1974. He retired in November 1990 at the rank of First Sergeant. For most of his career, he served in Morris, finishing his service as the Intel Sergeant for Headquarters Company of the 1st Battalion 136th Infantry in St. Cloud. He chose to retire at that time to devote his life more fully to his wife and young daughters.

Career and Professional Life

Vern famously remarked, “You can’t take the country boy out of the country.” After his Vietnam service, Vern chose to return and remain in the communities where he grew up and the area he loved. In fall 1970 Vern attended Alexandria Technical College for accounting. He also worked various roles, including construction and bartending, on his path to finding a meaningful career with the United States Postal Service.

He began his career with the Civil Service in 1973, eventually becoming a full-time Rural Mail Carrier in August 1977. He served the communities of Morris, Alberta, and Chokio for 35 years. Even years after his retirement in 2008, former patrons frequently told him how much they missed seeing him on his route.

Family, Community, and Faith

Vern met Leona Marie Sprouls on July 4,1982 at a dance at the Eagles. Vern and Leona united in marriage on May 13, 1983. Vern and Leona raised three daughters and enjoyed spending time together raising their family, traveling, and dancing.

Vern was a pillar of every community he called home. He took great pride in his involvement, serving as President of the Church Council for two terms, VFW Commander, VFW Baseball Coach, and a member of Kiwanis. He was a Sunday school teacher, a church greeter, a participant in church plays, and dressed as Santa during the holiday season. He was especially honored to march and call cadence in the Bicentennial and 150th Anniversary parades in Morris.

After moving to Moorhead, Minnesota for 14 years to be near his grandchildren, he and his wife finally settled in Alexandria in October 2021—a place they had always dreamed of retiring. There, he continued his spirit of service by greeting at the school for Kiwanis, attending veteran’s coffee groups, and participating in his church Connect Group.

Legacy of Strength

Vern faced a long and difficult battle with cancer with the same courage and bravery he showed in uniform. After defeating prostate cancer in 2010, he was diagnosed in 2016 with neuroendocrine cancer resulting from Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. He fought hard, driven by the desire to be there for his family for as long as possible.

Of all the titles Vern held—President, Commander, Sergeant, Coach, and "Top"—his most cherished were Husband, Father, Grandpa, Brother, Friend, and, above all, Christian. To know him was to love him, and his legacy of kindness and service as well as his great sense of humor will be deeply missed.

Vern is survived by his wife, Leona and daughters: Julie (Terry) Speer, Lisa (Steve) Sjoberg, and Mari (Jon) Stockford. Five Grandchildren, Victoria, Evelyn, Ingrid, Margret, and Sullivan. Vern is survived by his siblings, Alice (Lee) Seurer, Willard (Paula) Wevley, David Wevley, Eric (Karla) Wevley, and Aaron Wevley as well as aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Vern is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Leola Wevley, brother Erland Lars Wevley, and brother-in-law Dennis Pietrek.

Pallbearers: Terry Speer, Steve Sjoberg, Jon Stockford, Mark Mithun, Joe Pietrek, and James Pietrek.

Honorary Pallbearers: All Military Brothers and Sisters.