Vernard Frederick

Vernard Frederick, 88, of Mandan, passed away on Nov. 9, 2024 at Edgewood Vista, Mandan. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m. at United Church of Christ, 1200 Highland Acres with Rev. Gretchen Deeg officiating. Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. 

Visitation will be held on Monday from 4-6 p.m. at the Bismarck Funeral Home. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. 

Vern grew up on the family farm west of Flasher and attended Flasher high school and participated in baseball, basketball and football. After high school, Vern attended NDSU and graduated with a degree in ag education. He then returned to the family farm and met his future wife while in Bismarck. They wed on July 7, 1962. Vern was in the army from 1961-1963 and while stationed at Fort Hood Texas, they welcomed their first child, Darla. The family moved back to Flasher in 1963 and later welcomed Wesley into the family. 

Vern was active in many community organizations throughout his lifetime. He taught Adult Farm Management in Carson for many years. He was a member of the Flasher American Legion Post #69, Flasher Masons and Lions Club. He was a life long member of the Flasher United Church of Christ serving as a lay minister for his church as well as serving on the church council and on the Northern Plains Conference Council of the United Church of Christ. Vern was also part owner of the Flasher Implement Company and served on the Federal Land Bank and Flasher Farmers Union Elevator Board of Directors. He also served on the board of directors for Mor-Gran-Sou for many years and enjoyed staying up to date on all the happenings in fossil fuels in North Dakota. He also ran a tax service out of his home up until the time of his death. 

Vern loved farming and ranching almost as much as he loved traveling. He was always looking forward to his next casino trip and would give only a grin when asked about his winnings. Vern was a good bowler and won many trophies. He enjoyed spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids. He had a special beanbag spot in the tractor for his little helpers and was always willing to give horsey rides on his back and take the babies for walks. Vern and Bonnie attended most all of the kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids events. He wasn’t a loud cheerer, but always had some words of wisdom after sporting events. Vern was a pheasant hunter and he and Bonnie hosted family and friends each year for the season opener. He enjoyed a good joke and was often seen documenting family and community events with his camcorder. He loved showing off the videos to others. Vern was not a quitter, and strived to do all the things he loved up until his final days. 

He will be deeply missed by his wife of 62 years, Bonnie, daughter Darla (Randy) Schafer, son Wesley (Janelle) Frederick, grandkids, Weston (Kristin) Schafer, Kayla (Palmer) Henke, Jake (Ashley) Schafer, Serena (Bo) Beer, Hunter (Chanci) Frederick, Landon Frederick, great-grandchildren, Noah, Leah, Kora Henke, Elizabeth, Jaren Schafer, Iris, Gavin Schafer, Moxyn Beer, baby Beer on the way, sister, Eunice (John) Toman, brother-in-law Alvin (Donna) Weidner, sister-in-laws Darlene Frederick, Diana Weidner, Marion Weidner and many nieces nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother Elizabeth (Grimm) Frederick, his father Fritz Frederick,  brother Darryl Frederick, brothers-in-law, Donald Weidner, Fred Weidner, Dan Weidner and sister-in-law Sarah Weidner.

The family would like to thank the staff of Edgewood Vista in Mandan and Caring Edge Hospice for the wonderful care they provided for Vern.