Vernon Chan, 87

Vernon “Bud” John Chan, 87, died August 31, 2012 at Douglas County Hospital from complications with pneumonia.

Vernon was born September 30, 1924 at home in Lake Mary Township, Douglas County, to Louis Sr. and Mary (Brosh) Chan. When he was born they named him Vernon, but his mother called him Bud, which he went by all of his life.

He attended country school at District #14 and got his 8th grade diploma in 1938. He helped out on the farm and worked for others doing farm work and in 1947 he began carpentry work along with his dad and John Zavadil.

On September 14, 1948 Bud and Christine Doraska, whom he nicknamed “Tinker” from the beginning, were married at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church. They lived in a one-room house the first year of their marriage. On December 29, 1949 they bought a farm in Holmes City Township and made a home for their children, Wayne and Jeannie and themselves. In 1978, Vernon and Christine moved to Lowry into a house, which they had built. When you stopped by the house, you were sure to be greeted by the aroma of fresh-baked kolaches or goodies, as Christine would always be baking something for Bud to satisfy his very hearty, healthy appetite. Bud would then have to take you down to his “Little House,” which he took great pride in, where he displayed all his latest wood crafting ideas, birdhouses or repairs he was doing for other people, and then back up to the big house, where lunch was ready and waiting.

On March 19, 2007, due to his declining health, Vernon moved into Bethany Home, where he made many new friends of staff and residents alike, and became especially fond of playing bingo with his “specially- marked cards.”

Bud was a great storyteller who liked woodworking, playing cards, dancing and entertaining his grandchildren and great-grandchildren with new tricks that he always managed to come up with on each new visit. He also enjoyed restoring antique broken-down things and fishing.

He is survived by his wife of almost 64 years, Christine Chan of Alexandria; son, Wayne (Marlene) Chan of Lowry; daughter, Jeannie (Ronald) Klimek of Lowry; five granddaughters, Kristie (Kevin) Davis of Starbuck; Sandra (Brad) Munson of Sauk Rapids; Nancy (Dean) Dufner of Cold Spring; Jessica (Russell) Froemming of Hoffman; and Cindy (Brandon) Reichel of Sauk Rapids; great-grandchildren, Britney and Shawn Munson; Michael Dufner; Ashley and Katie Froemming; Kaitlyn and Joseph Reichel; sister, RoseMarie (Myron) Berglin of Alexandria; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Rebecca Marie Klimek; brothers, Bernard and Louis Chan Jr.; and sisters, Mary Jane Hvezda and Florence Ann Svec.

A funeral Mass was held Monday, September 3 at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church in Lake Reno Township with Father Roger Thoennes officiating. The organist was Ann Zavadil and the soloist was Pam Anderson. Casket bearers were Kevin Davis, Russell Froemming, Dean Dufner, Bradley Munson, Brandon Reichel and Tim Koubsky. Honorary casket bearers were Bud’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and godchildren.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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