Vernon Feuerhelm

VERNON FEUERHELM

Cedar Rapids

Vernon Frederick "Vern" Feuerhelm of Summit Pointe Senior Living Community, Marion, died peacefully Oct. 20, 2014. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 153 Cherry Hill Rd. NW.

"The Music Man" was born March 20, 1926, in Lansing, Iowa, the fifth of six children. Vern served in the Navy during World War II. When he returned, he studied music and met Pearl Baumbach, the love of his life. They were married Aug. 28, 1948.

Vern spent most of his life teaching music in six different districts, including Washington, Iowa, and Cedar Rapids at Washington, Kennedy and Grant Wood schools. Vern created the first Iowa show choir, Happiness Inc., at Kennedy, and he and Pearl wrote the Alma Mater and Fight Song for Kennedy High School. His love of music and of students created a legacy that touched many lives.

Vern was an avid artist and created hundreds of miniatures. Some of his work is on display at Mercy Medical Center.

Also, whether playing in dance bands, playing piano at church, school and home, or listening to Bach, he lived through music. He loved his church, Gloria Dei Lutheran, where he conducted the choir for many years.

Most importantly, Vern was a family man. Surviving him are his children, Deborah (Michael) Mehegan of Cedar Rapids, Randy (Heather) of Cedar Rapids and Bruce (Janice) of Burleson, Texas; his adoring grandchildren, Jennifer (Simon) Frost and James (Erin and son Preston) McArthur of California, Benjamin and Elijah of Cedar Rapids and Jeff (Rebecca and son Jason) and Aaron Neal of Texas; one brother, Ron (Bernadine) and their family; as well as nieces and nephews; and his dog, Nicky.

Vern was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl, and four siblings.

Memorial donations may be made to Gloria Dei or the Vern Feuerhelm Scholarship Fund at Kennedy High School.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedar memorial.com under obituaries.