Vernon D. Anderson, age 85, passed away on August 30, 2026.

Vern was born on July 19, 1941, in LaMoure, ND, to Raymond and Hazel Anderson. He grew up in LaMoure, graduating from LaMoure High School in 1959. He graduated from Minot State University in 1973.

Vern worked for various farmers and attended Valley City State College before joining the Air Force in 1964. On October 27, 1967, he married Mary Beth Anderson in Jamestown, ND. Vern then served in Iceland as a radar technician.

Vern and Beth spent almost all of his 21 plus years in the Air Force in Minot, ND, and Grand Forks, ND. Vern worked as a Missiler while living in Minot. After they moved to Grand Forks, ND, he was a Contracts and Grants Manager and retired as an Air Force Captain. During this time, David was adopted into the family and Erica was born in Grand Forks. After retirement, they moved to Bismarck.

Vern then spent 22 years working in various positions at United Tribes Technical College, retiring in 2007 as head of the Finance Department's Contracts and Grants.

Mary Beth passed away in October of 1987. On July 14, 2000, Vern married Linda Job. They made their home in the Bismarck area.

Vern loved to spend time on his sister and brother-in-law's farm, putting in the crops and helping harvest. If he could have, Vern would have loved to be a farmer. Other activities he enjoyed were bowling, playing cards, fishing, camping and traveling. Linda and Vern spent many happy months traveling with their fifth-wheel camper around Canada and Alaska (twice) and all over the western half of the United States. Many camping trips with friends and family took them to South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Yellowstone, Glacier Park and around North Dakota.

Vern was a family man, his two grandchildren, Parker and Nora, were the light of his life. Right up to the end, he rallied when they visited. He played games with them, even beating everyone he played at Farkle. He had a great sense of humor.

A special thank you to the Baptist Home staff for all the care they provided over the last 6 plus years of his life.

Vern will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and special friends Jo and Alan Stoklund, Apache Junction, Arizona.

Vern is survived by his wife of 36 years, Linda; son David, Jamestown, ND; daughter Erica Thornton (Jon); two grandchildren, Parker and Nora, Puyallup, WA; sister Jo Ann Loewen (Dennis) Sykeston, ND; brothers Doug, LaMoure, ND; Dennis (Sharon), Fresno, CA; Gary (Lolly), San Diego, CA; and many nieces and nephews.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Hazel Anderson; wife, Beth; three brothers, Robert, Victor and Kurt; and two infant brothers.

A celebration of life will be held September 3, 2026, at 11 a.m., with visitation beginning 1 hour before the service, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 3117 E Century Ave, Bismarck, ND.