Vernon Jacob Spitzer, 95, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2026. 

A memorial service will be 11:00AM, Thursday, June 11, 2026 at Eastgate Funeral Service, 3117 E Century Ave, Bismarck. 

Burial will be held at 3:00PM at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. 

Vernon was born May 25, 1930 and raised on several farms in the Wilton/Baldwin area. He graduated from Bismarck High School in 1948 and attended Wahpeton State School of Science, obtaining a two year electrical/refrigeration degree in 1950. On February 11, 1951 he married the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Violet Opp. He enlisted in the USAF in April 1951. During his time in the air force he maintained the weapons and gunnery systems on the RB-36 aircraft. He was honorably discharged in April 1955. He returned to the Baldwin area, settling on his grandfather’s farm and farmed for four years. In 1959-due to several years of drought conditions and very poor crops, he quit farming. His electronic training background in the Air Force helped him to land a job in 1960 with the Federal Aviation Administration as an electronic technician. In his position, he was responsible for maintaining the radio and navigational aid systems for the air traffic control branches. He was transferred to various states and in 1965 received a permanent position in Bismarck. In the early 1980’s he and Vi moved from their Bismarck home and built a new home on his grandfather’s farmstead that has been in the family for three generations- having been established in the early 1900’s. In 1986 he retired from his FAA position and returned to full time farming.

Vern loved his family, farming, and his country. He and Vi were members of the 1st Presbyterian Church in Bismarck. He served for a period of time as a deacon and an elder. They loved to dance and he and Vi were regular square dancers in their earlier years. Once he transitioned from full time- to part time farming- he and Vi would travel in the winter months with their RV. They experienced river rafting, snow cat travel, island hopping and made many visits to their daughters in various other states. He developed a love for photography and had quite an eye for it- winning awards at some local art shows. He had a sweet tooth for licorice beans and donut holes. He enjoyed fishing – just NOT the time Vi caught the trophy 10.8 lb Canadian walleye (he never did manage to frame her plaque)! He could fix anything that was broken- but NEVER acquired any talent for cooking. He was known to his daughters as the “energizer bunny” and to his grandson Ryan as “greenpea”.

Vern is survived by his wife of 75 years, Vi and their three daughters: Paula (Scott) Goss, Diane (Trace) Klein, Susan (Michael) Tanna and one grandson Ryan Goss. Vern’s siblings Darlene (Marv) Bloom and Ervin Spitzer and a brother in law Joe Thompson. He leaves behind many nieces and nephews- bonded by many years of 4th of July outings to MN lakes.

He was preceded in death by his parents Reynard and Minne (Seibold) Spitzer, Vi’s parents Christ and Tillie Opp, one brother Jake Spitzer and his wife Darlyne, sister- in- law Audrey (Ervin) Spitzer and the recent passing of his eldest sister Lenore (Joe) Thompson. Nephew David Spitzer and niece Loralee Bloom.

In lieu of flowers or gifts family will be offering donations to a local animal shelter.