Vern Schoenfelder, Chamberlain

Vern Schoenfelder, 80, Chamberlain, died Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, at Sanford USD Medical Center, Sioux Falls.

He was born on June 14, 1932.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. James Catholic Church, Chamberlain.

Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Hickey Funeral Chapel, Chamberlain, with a 7 p.m. rosary/Scripture service.

Vernon L. Schoenfelder was born on Flag Day, on the farm near Plankinton, to Fred and Susan (Blasius) Schoenfelder.

He attended country school and graduated from Plankinton High School.

After high school, he began working construction on the Fort Randall Dam and later enlisted in the U.S. Army.

After his discharge, Vern moved to Wyoming, where he worked construction before making his home in Chamberlain.

Vern began working for an electrician and later for Northwestern Public Service.

On July 5, 1954, Vern was united in marriage to Mavis Zeman at St. James Catholic Church, Chamberlain.

To this union, seven children were born Susan, Carol, Christine, Steve, Bill, Dale and Tom.

Vern then started working for Joe Gould at Gould Heating and Plumbing, and around 1960, he started his own business, Schoenfelder Heating and Plumbing, which he owned and operated for more than40 years.

Around 2000, Vern sold the business and began “retirement” by starting Schoenfelder Properties.

Vern enjoyed staying active in construction, developing and building apartments. His latest hobby was building another home.

Vern served as the mayor for the City of Chamberlain for several terms, on the City Council and as fire chief for the Chamberlain/Oacoma Fire Department.

He was also an active member of St. James Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus.

Gratefully sharing his life are his wife, Mavis, Chamberlain; two daughters: Carol Adams and husband Paul, Sioux Falls; and Christine Watratz, Fairfield, Calif.; four sons: Steve, Elk Grove, Calif.; Bill and wife Jean, Olathe, Kan.; Dale and wife Michelle, Chamberlain; and Tom and wife Pam, Eldorado Hills, Calif.; three brothers: Marty Schoenfelder, Plankinton; Bob Schoenfelder, Sioux Falls; and John Schoenfelder, Yankton; two sisters: Evelyn Smith, Aberdeen; and Helen Bohr, Royal, Iowa; 18 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents, a daughter, Susan; a son-in-law, Mike Watratz; a sister, Marie Parker; and six brothers: Clarence, Gene, Leonard, Don, Freddy and Bernard.

Tags: obituaries, chamberlain

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