Vernon Oman

Vernon Russell Oman, age 92, of Willmar, died Monday afternoon, January 1, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 5, at Bethel Lutheran Church. Interment will be later this spring at Cloverleaf Memorial Park Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Willmar American Legion Post #167. Visitation will be from 5-7 P.M. with a Masonic Service at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 4, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Vernon was born on May 17, 1914, in Delano, Minnesota, the son of Adina (Johnson) and Emil Oman. He grew up and received his education in the Delano community. On February 20, 1937, in Willmar, Vernon was united in marriage to Frances Jones. They lived in the Howard Lake and Cokato communities where Vernon was employed in the creamery and dairy business. From December 7, 1941 to August 15, 1945, he served his country in the American Merchant Marine in Oceangoing Service. Following his discharge, Vernon was employed by the American Oil Company as a chief engineer aboard several oil tankers. In 1951, they moved to Willmar and he retired in 1968. Vernon was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church. His hobbies included gardening, watching birds, fishing and just being outdoors. Vernon was well known as the "Gardening Angel on Julie Street".
He is survived by two daughters, Nancy (and Bill) Ward of San Mateo, CA., and Sally Carlson (and special friend, Larry Kleinhuizen) of Spicer; one son, Paul (and Sharon) Oman of Paynesville; four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Also surviving ate two sisters, Norma Silverthorne of Parish, FL., and Betty Erett of Aurora, CO., besides other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Frances in 1999; one sister, Yvonne and three brothers, Cecil, Gordon and Ralph in infancy.