Vern Sivers' Obituary
Vern Sivers was born July 13, 1921 in Clearbrook, Minnesota growing up the middle child of seven on an 80 acre farm. Early in his life he farmed, trapped, and hunted with a slingshot to help feed his family. Growing up in the depression, he learned the value of hard work and making what he had last.
He followed his family to Scappoose Oregon arriving in 1937. He started but didn't finish schooling as earning money for the family was more important than an education at the time. In 1942 at the age of 20, he volunteered for the U.S. Navy and spent the next three years serving his country in the engine room of the USS Little Rock, a Mine Sweeper, in the Aleutian Islands and Hawaii. His was the only Mine Sweeper in the Pacific not hit by a mine.
Upon discharge from the Navy October 3, 1945, he was paid a sum of $192.04 and joined the rest of his incredible generation in building the US to the super power it is today.
On leave April 4, 1944 he married his sweetheart Lois Waugh. They spent their honeymoon at the Orcadia Hotel in St. Helens. His first son Ron was born November 9, 1945 followed by Mike and Patricia. He taught his children to work hard and love nature, raising everything from cattle to pheasants on their farm in Warren.
Throughout his life Vern worked as pipe welder, in a steel mill, and in a pickle factory, spending his best 33 years as a driver/salesman for St. Helens Ice and Beverage where he proudly earned awards throughout his career as top salesman for brands such as Budweiser, Rainier, and Blitz. With no high school education, Vern was proud of these achievements.
Vern retired in 1983 and spent his free time fishing, hunting, being there for his family, and tinkering in his barn and garden. He and Lois spent every Spring planting the garden and every fall canning and pickling; which was something that had been important throughout his life.
As Vern aged and his knee pain prevented him from the activities of his youth, he spent his days working crosswords and feeding the birds, squirrels, deer, pheasants, quail, skunks and endless stray cats that frequented his back yard he called his "little piece of heaven".
In his final days, Vern was surrounded by three generations of family and passed away peacefully on March 24, 2011, a rainy Thursday, at 11:20 a, m. Shortly after his death, a ray of sunlight broke through the clouds onto his family reminding them of his love and giving them peace in knowing that he's on the path loved ones prior had traveled.
Vern nearly made it to his 67th wedding anniversary and 90th birthday. He had muscled his way over many tough obstacles in life and ultimately, his body was the only thing that could beat him.
Vern is preceded in death by brothers Si and Leslie; Sister Violet; and son Mike.
Vern is survived by wife Lois, siblings Pearl, Judy, Alice; children Ron and Pat; grandchildren Eric and Kelli, and great granddaughter Amalie who loves her Gate Gampa very much.
A celebration of life will be held at Columbia Funeral Home, St. Helens, Or. Saturday April 2, 2011, 11:30 a.m..
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