Luverne Gade

Mr. Luverne E. "Vern" Gade, 91, of Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, passed away at the VA Medical Center in Cheyenne on Friday, March 13, 2015, surrounded by his family. Luverne was born April 6, 1923, in Miller, South Dakota, a son of the late Emil and Louise (Becker) Gade. Vern was raised in Pine Bluffs and graduated from Pine Bluffs High School in 1941. He loved all sports and while in high school he was all-state in football, basketball and his favorite sport, track. Vern served in the United States Army with the Counter Intelligence Corps. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sargent with special endorsements in undercover investigations. On September 25, 1948, he married the love of his life, Mildred Kruse. In 1952, the Gade's owned and operated The Wild Horse Truck Stop in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming. In 1975, they purchased and operated Gade's Friendship Inns Motel. He was the inspector for Friendship Inns International for two years covering the State of Wyoming. Vern enjoyed repairing and selling boats, motors and motorcycles. Throughout his life he also enjoyed bowling. At the age of 88 he was forced to quite due to a bad shoulder. He played a big role in both the Grace English Lutheran Church and the Pine Bluffs Community. At one point he was the chairman of church, a member of the church men's club, Junior Chamber of Commerce, and a member of Isaac Walton's and Bluffs Busters Motorcycle Club, all at the same time. Later he was a chairman and board member of the Senior Citizens of Pine Bluffs and a member of the Flying Civil Air Patrol. He also served on the Pine Bluffs Town Council for four years. He will be remembered for his love of family and as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Vern is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mildred; four children, Renae Corn of Arizona, Carolyn DeMara of Colorado, Daryl Gade and Marlene Svenkesen, both of Pine Bluffs; 11 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Mabil and Helen; three brothers, Erwin, Melvin and Harold; and twin siblings that died at birth. A funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at the Grace English Lutheran Church with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grace English Lutheran Church.

Service

Tuesday, March 17, 2015 10:30am

Grace English Lutheran Church

Pine Bluffs

PINE BLUFFS, WY 82082