Vernon Leslie “Vern” Kingery

Vernon Leslie “Vern” Kingery went peacefully and happily into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, October 19, 2024. 

Vernon “Vern” was born September 22, 1937 at home in Dutch Hallow, La Valle township, Sauk County, WI to Leslie and Elsie (Dreischmeier) Kingery. He grew up on a small dairy farm with his younger sister Anita. Vern was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wonewoc, on October 31, 1937 and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in La Valle, on March 18, 1951. Vern attended Litz, a one-room country school through eighth grade, then Wonewoc High School before graduating in 1955. He then attended Wisconsin Institute of Technology in Platteville for three years and went to work for the State of Wisconsin Highway Department. 

In June 1960, he married Darlene Knudson and they had three children; Theresa, Veron and Darla. They later divorced. He married Patricia (Kowalke) Faris in 1990 and became step-father to three more children; Stephanie, Diane and Karen. 

In 1964, he went into sales with AAL Insurance. In 1975, he started Coulee Trophy in Onalaska, WI (which is still in operation today). In 1977, he sold welding supplies for Forney Company and remained with the company for seven years as District Manager in Iowa and Illinois. In 1986, he moved back to Baraboo and worked at Milwaukee Valve for almost four years before joining the State of Wisconsin DMV Driver’s Licensing team, retiring from the State in 2004. In 1988, he started Fresh Air Concepts, selling air fresheners and related products before discontinuing it after 30 years. After retirement, he made over 1,000 trips for Baraboo Motors driving cars for dealer trades and worked part-time for Baraboo State Bank as a courier until 2024. Vern was an Army Veteran, serving at Ft. Bragg, NC, and was proud to be part of the Badger Honor Flight in April of 2024.

Vern was a man of God, always focusing on the things that are true, just, noble, pure, praiseworthy, of good report, and have virtue. While he didn’t always approve of what others did, he never would say a bad word about anyone. He always believed God had the plan. Be anxious for nothing – pray and let God handle it was his motto. He prayed every morning that his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren would come to know the grace, mercy, and love of the Lord, and he was not afraid to tell them all to go to church! Vern was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baraboo and served many years on the council as an elder, finance committee and stewardship, but will be most remembered for being the greeter. He also facilitated a Bible Class for several years. 

Vern is survived by his wife of 34 years, Patricia; sister, Anita Bartz; along with his daughter, Theresa (Kurt) Rake; son, Veron (Kris) Kingery; daughter, Darla (Jeff) Statz; daughters, Stephanie (Pat) Endres, Diane Shaw, and Karen Faris; ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; two nephews, Wayne and John Bartz; niece, Cindy Bartz; several cousins, other relatives and good friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, several cousins, his in-laws and three brothers-in-law. 

Memorial Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Baraboo, with Pastor Ertl officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Military Honors will be conducted at the church following the service. Burial will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in North Freedom at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to be used as a gift in Vern’s name at a later date.

The family would like to thank Pastor Kuske and Pastor Ertl along with Vern’s care team at SSM Health, especially Dr. Krszjzaniek, for the care and support shown to Vern and his family.