***The Visitation scheduled for Monday, March 16th from 5-8 pm along with the Memorial Mass of Christian Burial & Visitation that was scheduled for Tuesday, March 17th at St. Hedwig's Catholic Church
HAVE BEEN POSTPONED and will be rescheduled at a later date***
Vernon D. LaCombe
Age 85, of Minneapolis
Passed away March 6, 2020
Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Jane; brothers, Leo, David, Ronald;
Survived by his children, Mary Kay (Michael) Madden, Matt (Liz) LaCombe, Mitch (Susan) LaCombe, Marty (Kelly) LaCombe, Jenny (Terry) Nelson; grandchildren, Jason, John, Jim, Kate, Claire, Katie, Gray, Will, Lily, Nick, Tommy, Ellie, Mary; five great-grandchildren; close friend, Nancy Abrahamson; siblings, Lorraine Peterson, Rosella (Derald) Hanson, Raymond (Mary) LaCombe;
Vernon was born in Minneapolis to David LaCombe and Amanda Finn on July 12, 1934. He was the fourth of seven children. He attended Marshall High School where he had many friends, and it was where he also met the love of his life, Mary Jane.
Right out of High School, Vernon started working for King Koil Mattress Factory where he retired from after 25 years. Not quite ready for the retirement home, Vern then went on to work for the Metropolitan Waste Treatment Plant where he was a proud member of the IUOE Local 35, and where he celebrated his second (official) retirement.
Vernon and Mary Jane were married on June 27, 1952 and had sixty wonderful years together. They had 5 children. Vernon loved his family and also loved road trips, which led to many wild and packed car adventures. Seven people, all their luggage in a 4-door sedan all the way to Disneyland! We also spent many summer vacations at Lake Osakis with the Pappas Family.
Vernon loved sports and was at every one of his children's sporting events; baseball, football, and softball. He was “Coach” to Jenny and all her softball friends. While they ran the bases, he held all their earrings, necklaces, and always told them how good they were! Vern also joined a bowling league with son, Matthew, and they bowled for many years together.
Vern was a LOYAL FAN of his beloved Minnesota Twins, and all Gopher sports. But more than anything, he loved watching his grandchildren's sports. He attended all their sporting events; baseball, football, gymnastics, hockey, cross-country running and skiing, rugby, tennis, and soccer. But his favorite was wrestling. Grandson Tommy was a great wrestler and Grandpa never missed a match. Vern also went to all the Nelson family wrestling matches, and was one of their biggest fans.
After buying a cabin up in LaPorte, Minnesota all summers were spent entertaining family and friends at the cabin. Vern loved to get his smoker out and make THE BEST RIBS IN THE WORLD!! He loved taking friends and family out in his boat, which he affectionately named “The Sapphire” because that was his nickname for Mary Jane. He also loved his tractor and his Bronco. Every grandchild's highlight at the cabin was getting a ride on Grandpa’s tractor. He also tried to fulfill all of Mary Jane’s dreams for the cabin, making gnome homes in the trees for the grandchildren, building ponds and bridges, planting trees, etc. The cabin experience was made extra special because Vern’s sister and sisters-in-law also had cabins in the area, giving them close bonds and many beautiful shared memories.
Vern also loved music, all kinds of music. He loved to go to concerts and he always had music playing. But his favorite thing was singing around the campfire. Fortunately, he had talented family to play guitar and sing along with him around the fire. His talented relatives, especially his nephew, Brian, would entertain Vern by performing all his requested songs.
After the loss of his beloved Mary Jane, he found companionship and close friendship with their good friend, Nancy, from Marshall High. They were able to go to concerts, travel (Alaskan Cruise) and find comfort in re-hashing all the old stories. He was very happy to be a part of Nancy and her family’s lives.
Vern will be missed by so many whose lives were touched just by knowing him. He was a special, kind man to all.
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