Vernon died just before midnight on Saturday, November 14, 2009, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar at the age of 95 years, 6 months and 7 days. Funeral service was at 10:30 AM, Friday, November 20, at Providence Valley Lutheran Church in rural Dawson with Pastor Cheryl Matthews officiating; Pastor Cheryl read Psalm 46 and her message was based on I Timothy 4:6-8; Micah Ness read Jeremiah 17:7,8 and Josiah Ness read Proverbs 20:7; son, Doug gave comments and a personal eulogy of his Dad; organist, Arlys Swenson accompanied the hymns "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" and "Borning Cry"; grandchildren, Hanna McGee and Naomi, Micah, Josiah, Lydia & Tabitha Ness, accompanied on the piano by their mother, Marjorie sang "It Is Well With My Soul"; and Dean Pearson accompanied on piano by wife Joyce, sang "One Day At A Time" and "In the Garden". His 9 grandsons were honorary casketbearers and Todd Buer, Larry Haukos, Lyle Ness, Bob Pehrson, Harvey Swenson and Roger Swenson were active casketbearers. Burial was in the church cemetery. Vernon Selmer Ness was born on May 7, 1914, to August and Emma (Pederson) Ness in Dawson. He was baptized, confirmed and spent his 95 years as a member of Providence Valley Lutheran Church. He attended Windy Hill School (District 38), as did his father, 4 brothers and 4 of his 5 children. Vernon and Selma Ardella Haukos of Ortonville were united in marriage at Holden Lutheran Church in Beardsley, MN, on March 6, 1938. They were blessed with 71 years together and 5 children. He was a farmer in the Providence area his whole life. Vernon loved his life as a farmer and traveling to far off places, often saying, "I am just a farmer from Minnesota, I just can't believe I am here in ...." He is survived by his wife, Selma at the Johnson Memorial Home in Dawson; children: Vernetta (Thomas) Hiatt of Roswell, NM, Curtis (Cheryl) Ness of Brookings, SD, Douglas (Marjorie) Ness of Nampa, ID, and Rebecca (Daryl) Schutte of Dawson; 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; brother, Myron (Lillian) Ness of rural Dawson; as well as many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, August and Emma; son, Linnae on July 28, 1986; grandson: Derrek Schutte on March 19, 1999; and brothers: Everett, William and Lloyd.