Vernon Wenger

Minot

Vernon Wenger, 92, Minot, formerly of Max, ND, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 in his residence.

Vernon LeRoy Wenger was born to John and Martha (Wendschlag) Wenger on March 21, 1933, on a farm west of Max. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in Max. He helped with all the farm chores and was often hired to do field work for the neighbors. He was hired by the Zahnow Combiners to go south to combine for five years as a young adult. Then he moved to Minot and worked at Campus Texaco and later Fisher Motors.

Vern met the love of his life, Barbara Elaine Mickelson, and they were married at First Evangelical United Brethren Church (later Faith United Methodist Church) on June 14, 1959. Both Barbara and Vern were very involved in the church leadership and served on many committees at Faith Church. He was also an usher on most Sundays. He and his wife attended the Dakotas United Methodist Church Conference for 12 years and he served on the Board of Equalization Committee.

In his younger years, Vern completed the Dale Carnegie Course and in 1958 became a member of the Eagles Club, Elks Club, and Moose Organization. He was very active in the local Eagles Club and served as Local President, Dakota State President, and then the Regional President for the organization. During his time with the Eagles, he helped break ground for the new club building on 16th Street, he won many awards and was so proud to represent the Eagles Aerie of Minot.

In 1968, following the death of his father, Vern and Barbara purchased the family farm near Max. They built a new home so his mother could stay in her home on the farm site. They farmed for 30 years, and he was also the Service Manager at Fisher Motors and then Nielsen & Stewart Inc. He was a member of many farm associations: Farm Credit Association, Nodak Mutual Insurance, Max Farm Services, McClean Electric Co-op, and Reservation Telephone Co-op.

His beloved wife, Barbara, passed away in June of 2020, and Vern stayed in their condo for another couple of years. He made the decision to move to the Ellison Assisted Living Facility, now Edgewood on June 10, 2022. He loved his time there these past few years and enjoyed visiting with fellow residents and the staff. His joy was seeing his family and talking with anyone and everyone.

Vernon is survived by:

three sons: Keith (Tracy) V. Wenger, Max, ND; Dr. Barry J. Wenger (Steven Hoover), Honolulu, HI, and Kevin (Karyn) L. Wenger, Granville, ND; Ten Grandchildren: Kristyn (Jared) McIntosh, Kristyl (Jason) Blowers, Kalsey (Trevor) Kronberg, Dana (Kyle) Lizzotte, Darcie (Ryan Studaker) Newgard, Shalynn Wenger, Kaitlan Wenger, Kylei Wenger; Rose Wenger and Josie Wenger;

24 great-grandchildren: Tyler, Austin and Devon Blowers, Anthony and Camden McIntosh, Kottyn and Hardy Kronberg; MaHalle, Elijah, McKenna, Teresa and Karsin Lizzotte and Great Niece Amayha; Paislee, Ryland, Amelia Newgard, and Sawyer and Brekken Studaker; Avery Jo, Aryiah L and Payton Wenger; Ayden, Greyson, and Tobias McCloud; Rowan Boedicker; many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 61 years Barbara, and his sister Margie and brother Odean.

Visitation: Saturday, March 14, 2026 one hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral Service: Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 10:30 am at Vincent United Methodist Church, Minot.

A livestream of the service can be found on Vernon’s page on the funeral home’s website.

Burial: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot

Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot

Published by The Minot Daily News, March 13, 2026.