Vern Edward Stokke

Vern Edward Stokke, 79, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2018 in Vancouver, Washington, surrounded by his loving family. Vern was born on January 8th, 1939 in Minot, North Dakota, to Iver Stokke and Dorothy (Busch) Stokke. He was the first of five rambunctious sons raised on a farm near Granville, ND. Vern joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 and was always very proud of his service to our country. Vern obtained his BA in Economics and Business Administration in 1969 from Minot State University, in Minot, ND. Vern began his career at Westland Oil as an accountant, then auditor and later as manager of the computer department on the first mainframe computer in the area. Vern moved to Salem, OR in 1972 and worked for many years as the Director of Management Information Systems at Norpac Foods, finally retiring in 1999 from Truax Harris Metrofueling (Wilsonville, OR). Vern was also an Information Systems instructor at both the Minot College of Business (Minot, ND) and Chemeketa Community College (Salem, OR). Vern was a member of the Battle Ground Loyal Order of Moose, the Vancouver Elks and the Salem Eagles. He enjoyed technology, golfing, hunting, fishing, dancing, playing cards, reading and napping. Although Vern had many health issues throughout his retirement, he embraced each day with optimism and enthusiasm. Vern had a large extended family and enjoyed planning family gatherings, including his beloved annual Lutefisk Dinner at the Sons of Norway. Vern's family will remember his strong faith, sincerity, honesty, his determination to always "do the right thing," his great sense of humor and his love for his family. We will all dearly miss him. Vern is survived by his loving companion, Betty Atkinson, children Kathy (Stokke) Erwin and son-in-law Jerry Erwin (Vancouver, WA), Debbie (Stokke) Locke (Vancouver, WA) and step-children Kathy Buntjer (Salem, OR), Mark Buntjer and daughter-in-law Karen (Livermore, CA), Lisa (Buntjer) Fitzmaurice and son-in-law John Fitzmaurice (Salem, OR). Surviving grandchildren include Eric Stokke (Vancouver, WA), Kalib Locke (Vancouver, WA), Kristen and Amy Franke (Salem, OR), Alexander Buntjer (Sacramento, CA), Kelsey Buntjer (Washington, DC), Marcus Buntjer (Riverside, CA), Alivia Buntjer (Livermore, CA), and Kyle Buntjer (Salem, OR). Great grandchildren include Rylie Locke, Logan Stokke and many step-great grandchildren. Surviving siblings include brothers John Stokke (Granville, ND) and Edwin (Marcia) Stokke (Vancouver, WA). Vern was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Eugene Stokke and Milton Wesley Stokke, beloved wife Beulah Stokke, and beloved companion Kay Doogan. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 28 from 5-8 pm, at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, at 1101 NE 112th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98684. Services will take place at the same location on Thursday, November 29, at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Willamette National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Vern Edward Stokke

January 8, 1939 - November 20, 2018