February 4, 1931 - August 11, 2018
Vern was born on February 4, 1931 to Leon and Helen Wozniak, on a farm in Arcadia, NE.
Vern was raised on the farm in Arcadia, the first of two children. He attended the rural school, which was about a quarter of a mile from their home, until the eighth grade. He then went onto Ord High School, in town, until he graduated. Since his parents still lived on the farm, he would stay with his grandparents, Anna and Frank Knapp, during the week. He got his first job working at a gas station after school and would go back home on weekends.
He was a great older brother to his sister, Ruth. His parents even allowed him to choose her name. However, there was one instance when he was teaching her how to ride a bike. He put her on her bike at the top of a hill and sent her on her way, suddenly realizing he forgot to tell her about brakes. She ended up at the bottom of the hill in the bushes. Fortunately, with no injuries.
His Dad, Leon was in a Polka band, and Vern had learned to play the clarinet. He would play along just for fun.
At the age of 21, he joined the Air Force. He was stationed in TX for basics and then transferred to Saint Louis, MO for classification training. He then went on to Prescile, ME and was stationed in Korea for a year. After coming back to the states, and on furlough, he married Sharlene Bartos, from Burwell, NE, at Burwell Methodist Church on April 5, 1955.
Vern still has a year left in the service, so they drove to Sea Side, WA where he was stationed. They were close to the beach and decided to give clam hunting a try. Unfortunately, they were going to find the clams when al the other clam hunters were coming in. They had the timing wrong but soon corrected that. This was Vern and Sharlene's happiest year together.
He got out of the service in February 1956. They drove back to Arcadia where they were to take over the family-farm and give farming a try. It was planned that he was to rent 1/2 of 365 acres of irrigated land, but that fell through. While living on the farm, they had their first child Terrill Ray. Unfortunately it was a dry year. Apparently being a farmer was not meant to be.
Vern and Sharlene then moved to Omaha, NE where they had their remaining 3 children, Sherry Louise, Alan Wayne, and Diane Lynn. He went to work at Kellogg's but was laid off 90 days later. He the went to Alamito Dairy, where he was able to buy his own dairy route, and did this for the next 11 years. When Terrill, Alan and Sherry were old enough, they would ride along and run the orders up to the houses.
He then bought a new business, Steam master Carpet Cleaners, which he did for 8 years. Once again, Terrill, and Alan would work along side him, when they were not in school.
Vern then went on to sell Real Estate, with his good friend Bill Smalley's Real Estate Company, and Insurance for John Hancock. He did this until he semi retired in 2004.
His grandchildren have fond memories of him when would play Santa Clause at Christmas. He was the best Santa Clause ever.
He would take his family to Sunset Speedway. This gave all his kids a love for sports cars, which is why they each had one. When his daughter Diane bought her Mustang, he was the first person she showed her car to. telling him she bought the car because she got her love for sport cars from him.
Vern and Sharlene had bought some land on Beaver Lake and he proceeded to build their home. He used all his past experiences from his previous home improvement projects, and had shared with his sons. Once again, Terrill and Alan were right along side building with him. They lived there until 2008.
They made their last move to Bellevue, NE, where he lived out his final years.
He was put into the Tabor Manor Nursing Home in Tabor, IA. the beginning of June, due to Alzheimer's. He passed away there peacefully on August 11, 2018 at 7:30 a.m.
Vern will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him, and these fond memories we have of him, and more than we can mention, will stay with all of us forever.
He is preceded in death by his parents Leon & Helen Wozniak and sister Ruth Lech. Vern was born in Arcadia, NE. He is
survived by wife of 63 years Sharlene Wozniak of Bellevue. sons and daughter in laws, Terrill (Sue) Wozniak of Omaha, Alan (Brenda) Wozniak, Tabor, IA. and daughters Sherry Wozniak - Bunz, of Omaha and Diane (Dean) Coontz of Papillion, 9 Grandchildren, 11 Great Grandchildren and one on the way.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 15, from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Kahler-Dolce Mortuary, 441 No Washington St in Papillion, NE. Funeral Services will also be held at Kahler-Dolce Mortuary on Thursday at 12:30. Graveside service will follow at Omaha National Cemetery. Memorials suggested to The Alzheimer's Association
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