Vernon Schaefer, age 98 of rural Whitehall, died on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire.

Vernon was born on January 27, 1917 in Whitehall to Fred and Florence (Saxrud) Schaefer. He attended high school for two years in Brainerd, MN and was on the state basketball team in 1933. Vernon graduated from the Whitehall High School in 1935.

Vernon married Elsie Fischer on September 30, 1939 in Osseo. Elsie preceded Vernon in death on May 13, 1999. Vernon later married LaVerne C. (Peterson) Karlstad on November 23, 2002 in the Elk Creek Lutheran Church in the town of Hale, Trempealeau County, WI.

Vernon farmed in the town of Hale and was also employed with Gunderson Chevrolet in Pleasantville. Vernon worked in the road maintenance department with the town of Hale, the recycling center in Pleasantville and mowed grass in the cemeteries in the town Hale. Vernon served on the Tri-County Cooperative board of directors for many years.

Vernon enjoyed snowmobiling, bowling, golfing, tennis, slow-pitch softball and watching sports on television.

Vernon is survived by his wife, LaVerne; two sons, John (Judy) and Bruce (Diane) Schaefer; a son-in-law, Lynn (Daneen) Norheim; eight grandchildren, Kim (friend, Jeff) Peterson, Julie (Rick) Brommerich, Greg Schaefer, Cathy (Chad) McCune, Brenda (Dan) Koxlien, Keith (friend, Cindy) Schaefer, Joy Norheim and Jill (Todd) Horel; ten great-grandchildren, Chad (Nicole), Allie (Sever), Cody, Zachary, Chelsea, Nick, Chase, Brock, Devon and Elektra; a great-great-grandson, Bentley; six step-children, Linda (Ron) Clegg, Dennis (Carolyn) Karlstad, Douglas (Jodie) Karlstad, Dale (Stephanie) Karlstad, Lisa (friend, David) Karlstad and Dean (Michele) Karlstad; thirteen step-grandchildren, Dana, Tyler, Ethan, Brandon, Jason (Dana), Trysten, Teryn, Melissa (Mike), Sherri, Douglas, William (Kari), Heather (Joe) and Julia.

In addition to his parents and wife, Elsie, Vernon was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Ann Norheim; a granddaughter, Janet Norheim and a great-grandson, Keagan Koxlien.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 23, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. in the Elk Creek Lutheran Church with burial in the church cemetery both in the town of Hale, Trempealeau County, WI. Pastor Terry Lorenz will officiate.

Visitation will be Sunday, March 22, 2015, from 4-7 p.m. in the Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.