Vernon Raymond Sternitzky

Vernon Sternitzky, age 87, of Lynn, WI died Sunday, February 11, 2018 at the Marshfield Medical Center.   Vernon Raymond Sternitzky was born on April 8, 1930 at home in Lynn the son of Raymond and Leona (Gotter) Sternitzky. Vern entered the Army National Guard on January 24, 1949. His Unit was activated during the Berlin Crisis from October 15, 1961 to August 10, 1962 at Fort Lewis, WA. He was honorably discharged from the Guards on January 23, 1963. He worked at Lynn Dairy beginning when he was 16 years old as a milk hauler and he retired as a field agent 68 years later at the age of 83. On October 23, 1976 he was united in marriage to LaVern “Blondie” Grussing in Granton.   He was a member of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Granton. He was a long-time member of the Granton Rotary, the National Rifle Association and the Haugen-Richmond Neillsville American Legion Post #73. When not working, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, bowling, baseball and watching his Purple Martins fly in and out of the many bird houses he had constructed on his property.   He is survived by his wife, LaVern “Blondie” Sternitzky, four children, Mary (Michael) Esser of Marshfield, WI, Molly (John) Drach of Eagle Point, OR, Chris (Curtis) Anding of Granton, WI and Micky (Tara) Sternitzky of Rhinelander, WI, 10 grandchildren and a brother, Wayne (Doris) Sternitzky of Overland Park, KS.   He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Leona Sternitzky, a sister, June Kaddatz and his granddaughter, Manda Rae Esser.   Funeral services for Vernon will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 16, 2018 at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Granton, WI. Pastor Daniel Schoessow will officiate. Music will be provided by Caroline Helm, organist. Interment will be in the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, with military honors performed by the Neillsville Veteran’s Council. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Thursday at the Gesche Funeral Home and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Friday at the church.   Honorary Pallbearers will be grandchildren: Makayla Sternitzky, MaKenna Sternitzky and Brock Sternitzky.   Casket bearers are also grandchildren: Joshua Esser, Benjamin Drach, Zachary Drach, Brandon Anding, Derek Anding and Danielle Anding.   The family requests in lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Heart Association, 208 S. LaSalle St., Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60604-1242 or the Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901.   Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.   The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Vernon’s family with funeral arrangements.