Vern W. McConnell, 98

Vern W. McConnell, 98, passed away on Monday, Feb. 9, 2009, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. Vern was born Aug. 21, 1910, in Davenport, Iowa, to Ralph and Nette McConnell. He was raised in the Davenport area, where he finished high school in 1928. That summer he moved to Flandreau, S.D., where he accepted a job as a printer for the Flandreau Herald Newspaper.

In 1934, the Herald was consolidated with the Moody County Enterprise, where he continued working until semi-retirement in 1974. He remained part-time at the newspaper until 1985.

During those years he physically built the family home while working six days a week at the paper. After 10 years of living in the house, he hand-dug a basement to make room for the furnace, extra storage and washing machine. In 1950, in his spare time, he enlarged the kitchen, added two bedrooms and expanded the bathroom.

Vern lived in Flandreau until 2003, then moved to Buffalo Hill Terrace in Kalispell. He loved Buffalo Hill Terrace and Montana, often commenting on the beauty of this area. He never tired of the scenic drives that Buffalo Hill provided.

Vern married Mae Hanson, the love of his life, in 1931. Mae passed away in 1991, in Flandreau.

Vern is survived by his son, Ron, and wife, Sheila, of Bellevue, Wash.; his daughter, Karen, and husband, Steve, of Bigfork and San Diego; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. His granddaughter, Paulette Welch, and her husband, Dr. Mark Welch, reside in Bigfork with their children, Jacob, Cameron and Lauren.

Vern enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S., golfing and bird hunting. Services will be at 3:30 p.m. today, Feb. 11, at the Kalispell Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1375 U.S. 93 N., Kalispell.

To send condolences, please go to www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.