Vernon Bengtson

Vern was brought into this world on June 14th 1944 in St. Paul, MN to Vernon Bengtson Sr. and Marie Engelhart. After high school Vern moved to Colorado and started a career with a Ford dealership in the parts department. He met and fell in love with a beautiful woman, Lillian Trujillo, and they were married on April 25, 1970. Lillian had two sons, Bill and Robert, who Vern lovingly accepted as his own. In 1972, as Lil wished for a girl, they welcomed a daughter, Eleanor (Ellie), into the world completing their family. In 1974 they made the move to St. James, MN as Vern was offered a job in the parts department at the local Ford dealership. Vern worked in St. James until 1985 when he was offered a parts manager position at the Ford dealership in Montevideo, MN. In 2007, as retirement approached, Vern decided to move back to St. James to be closer to his daughter and her family. Vern's career wasn't over yet, he decided to help out at St. James Electric owned by is son-in-law Mike and daughter Ellie. He would help get and deliver material to the employees on the job site and tidy up the shop and lunch room when needed. Vern liked being useful, he kept busy and enjoyed interacting with all of the guys at the shop. He also was a taxi service to the grandchildren whenever needed and he loved every minute of it. Vern enjoyed spending afternoons with Ellie playing cards, golfing, gardening, fishing and watching his grandson, Lucas, play sports. Vernon is survived by daughter Eleanor (Ellie) and Mike Kulseth of St. James, his sons Bill Bengtson of Thornton, CO. and Robert Samora of Denver, CO. Sisters Sharon Shoup of OH and Leanne Luna (Dave) of CO., brothers Wayne Bengtson of OH, Stuart Bengtson of WI, step-brother Richard Gudmunsen (Elaine) of MN, and step-sister Janet Gudmunsen of WI. Grandchildren Jordan Davis and family of MN, Chantelle Abeyta of CO, and Lindsey and Lucas Kulseth of St. James. Vernon is preceded in death by his wife, Lillian, his parents, his step-mother Iola Bengtson, step-brother Larry Gudmunsen, and his grandson Joshua James Abeyta along with other relatives and friends. He will be dearly missed. Visitation 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Wednesday, May 6, 2015 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 10:30 am Thursday, May 7, 2015 St. James Catholic Church, St. James 623 4th Street S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Calvary Cemetery- St. James East of town on CR 27 Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081