Luverne N. "Vern" Link • 1935 - 2004

Luverne N. "Vern" Link, 68, 6721-27th Ave. NW, Minot, ND, former county commissioner and longtime airline terminal manager, died Saturday, July 10, 2004, at a Minot hospital following a long, courageous battle with lung cancer. Throughout his life, and especially the past several years, he lived by the honorable motto of his former naval ship, the USS Essex - "a fighter, a feeder, a taskforce leader."

Luverne Nicholas Link was born on July 19, 1935, the son of Raymond and Rhoda (Omoth) Link in Caledonia, Minnesota. He was raised in Caledonia and educated at Catholic Central Grade School and attended Loretto High School.

In October of 1952, at the age of 17, Vern enlisted in the US Navy and served on the Aircraft Carrier USS Essex as a signalman during the Korean War. He left active duty on July 12, 1956, and after serving in reserve status, was honorably discharged in October of 1960.
Following his discharge, Vern went to work for North Central Airlines in Chicago, IL and later, LaCrosse, Wisconsin,where for 2 years he worked as a station agent. It was there he met Shirley Wiese. They were married on January 4, 1958, in Hokah, Minnesota and made their home in LaCrescent, Minnesota. In April 1959, a son, Kurt, was born.

In 1960, the family moved to Minot, where Vern started the first station for North Central Airlines. Following mergers, he also managed the Minot terminal for Republic and most recently, Northwest Airlines. He received several awards during his employment with the airlines and served as a substitute and mentor to other regional managers in his later years. He retired in August of 1992, following 36 years of service.

Vern and his family were members of Little Flower Church and St. John the Apostle Church. He joined the Knights of Columbus in 1965 and was Grand Knight in 1970. He was named Knight of the Year for Council 1150 in 1970 and again in 1974. Later, Vern was active in the 3rd and 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and had held offices in both.

In the mid-1970s, Vern was instrumental in the formation of the Ward County Civil Defense Police Reserve force. He received awards for "outstanding and dedicated service", was its first Chief and served in that capacity from 1973-83.Vern spearheaded the formation of the group's special diving team and patrolled Minot's dikes with fellow Reserve members during the 1970s floods.
Following his retirement, Vern ran for and was elected to the Ward County Commission, where he served for 8 years. He prided himself on listening to all points of view, doing extensive research and voting for what was in the best interest of all his constituents. In his conservative way, he always tried to keep taxes at appropriate levels.

Vern was active in community development. He was a member of the Minot Task Force '96 for retaining the Minot Air Force Base, and served on the Minot Area Development Commission from 1998-2001, the County Library Board, and the Souris Basin Planning Council. An avid reader, he worked with the Library Board to secure the purchase of a new "bookmobile" for Ward County.
Over the years, Vern was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Elks, Lions and American Legion Clubs, and worked with the Boy Scouts. He served on the school board and finance board for Little Flower Grade School and on the Bishop Ryan High School board of directors. Vern was presented the Bishop Ryan High School "R" award in 1975 and the Minot State University Beaver Booster Club "M" award in 1997.

Vern enjoyed camping with family and friends, bowling, playing pinochle at the KC club, going to all his son's ball games and, in his retirement years, golfing, working on the computer and debating politics with anyone he could engage. Above all, he enjoyed helping others.

Vern is survived by his wife of 46 years, Shirley Link of Minot; his son Kurt (Jody) Link of Bismarck; his grandchild, Jaden Link; a brother, Robert (Dolores) Link of Caledonia, MN; his sisters, Beverly Link, Wilma Nelson, and Betty (Virgil) Winjum, all of Caledonia, MN; and Janet (William) O'Hare of Cedar Rapids, IA. He had numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Rhoda Link; sisters, Virginia Mae Link and Shirley (Donald) Schwartzhoff of Dorchester, IA; a sister-in-law Mary Link; and a brother-in-law Donald Nelson.

Special friends who shared in his life are David and Cindy Romine of Bismarck, Bob and Molla Romine and Tina Brown of Minot.

Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, July 14, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Apostle Church, Minot.

Prayer Service: Tuesday, July 13, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. at the church.

Interment: Memorial service and burial will take place at the Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia, Minnesota, at a later date.

Visitation: Tuesday, from noon until 5 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home and 6 p.m. until the prayer service at the church.

In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials are preferred to the Home on the Range for Boys & Girls - Sentinel Butte ND, Minot Catholic Schools, Retired Sisters Fund at Richardton, ND and the American Lung Association of North Dakota.

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