Vernon Heyer

Vernon John Heyer, age 76, of Willmar and formerly of Atwater , died Saturday afternoon, March 8, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 12, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar. Interment will be at Ripley Cemetery in Litchfield. Military honors will be provided by the Willmar American Legion Post. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue for one hour prior to the service. www.petersonbrothers.com
Vernon was born on June 27, 1937, to Ben and Bertha (Cordes) Heyer on a farm site in rural Grove City, Minnesota. He attended country school before entering the U.S. Army in 1955 and was honorably discharged in 1957. Vernon was united in marriage to Samuela Gregory on October 19, 1957. To this union they were blessed with three daughters, Kim, Joan and Vickie.
Vernon farmed and milked dairy cows most of his life near Cosmos and in his retirement years restored old farm equipment and tractors. He also managed the Phillips 66 Service Station in Spicer for a few years. In 1997, he was married to Judith Sletta. They lived on a farm near Atwater for many years and just recently moved into Willmar.
Vernon will be best remembered for his sense of humor and outgoing personality. He enjoyed dancing, singing, playing the harmonica and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also enjoyed coffee and sweets with friends.
He is survived by his wife, Judith Sletta of Willmar; three daughters: Kim (and Paul) Milbradt of Belview, Joan Macik (and special friend Tom Hoover) of Willmar and Vickie Jacobson-Ellingson of Albuquerque, NM; seven grandchildren, Cammi (and Dean) Kruse; Greg (and Gina) Macik; Jesse Jacobson; Katie Jacobson, Jackie Jacobson; Morgan Milbradt and Max Milbradt; and five great grandchildren, Dustin Kruse; Dylan Kruse; Myles Macik; Liam Macik and Joren Macik. Also surviving are two siblings, Dorothy Naber of Moses Lake, WA and Phyllis (and Floyd) Krueth of Minneapolis. Additional survivors also include Dale Macik, David Jacobson, Lon Ellingson and Sammie Heyer, besides other relatives and friends.
Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Larry Heyer and one sister, Karen Bard.
Vernon, our dad, will be greatly missed in our lives. The family would like to thank the Rice Hospice care and Rice Hospital nurses for all the love and care they provided.
Blessed be his memory.

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