Vernon E. Hartung

Vernon E. Hartung passed away peacefully on May 22, 2025, at the age of 92, surrounded by his family. He was born on a farm near Randolph, Nebraska, on November 16, 1932, to Ernest and Hilda (Rohwer) Hartung. He attended country school in Randolph and graduated from Coleridge High School in 1952.

As a young man, Vern experienced the life-altering loss of an arm in a farming incident-an event that shaped his quiet strength and unwavering determination.

On July 20, 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie A. Meier. They made their home in Coleridge, Nebraska, where Vern worked as a parts man at Cady Implement. In 1955, they moved to South Sioux City, Nebraska, where they built a life rooted in faith, hard work, and love for their growing family.

Throughout his life, Vern was an entrepreneur and investor. He was part of a group of local partners who operated several businesses over the years, including the Omaha Truck Plaza, Truck Haven in Sioux City, the Diamond Horseshoe in South Sioux City, and the Crystal in Dakota City-which has been in continuous operation for nearly 70 years. Vern remained actively involved in these ventures until the age of 90, always grateful to be part of something built through shared effort and community spirit.

He was a dedicated member of his community, serving with the Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club, and was honored as Developer of the Year by the Dakota Industrial Development Group. His faith was central to his life, and he found purpose and fellowship in his men's Bible study group. He also enjoyed fishing, playing cards, and family vacations-especially when surrounded by those he loved most.

Vern and Marge raised four daughters: Rhonda Lynn Hartung (deceased); Patti (Gene) Lauritsen of Beatrice, NE; Rochelle (Kirk) Maxfield of Sioux City, IA; and Janine Anderson of Cave Creek, AZ. He was a loving grandfather to Brett (Kelli), Matthew (Allison), Shelby (Matthew), Steven, and Molly (Keegan), and a proud great-grandfather to Danny, Mikey, Lilly, Luke, Stella, Brooklyn, Azzy, Maddie, Olenna, and Jude.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Rhonda; son-in-law Michael Anderson; brothers Marvin and Ralph; his parents, Ernest and Hilda; and his father- and mother-in-law, Charles and Leona Meier.

A service to celebrate Vern's life will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Morningside Lutheran Church in Sioux City, Iowa, with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Dakota City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Vern's memory through a donation to Morningside Lutheran Church, Shriners Hospitals for Children, or the Siouxland Food Bank.

Vern will be remembered for his humility, quiet strength, and deep devotion to faith and family. He was deeply loved and will be deeply missed.