Gallagher, Vernon F.

Vernon F. Gallagher, 95, of Waukon, died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be Saturday, Dec. 28, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 2:45 p.m. Scripture service.

Vernon Francis Gallagher was born Feb. 18, 1918, in Hanover Township, Iowa, the son of Maurice Francis and Estella (Dahlen) Gallagher. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Hanover Catholic Church in rural Waukon and graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Lansing. On Nov. 15, 1944, Vernon married Frances Marie Larkin at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. The couple briefly lived in Hanover before making their home in Waukon. Vernon was an automotive and implement mechanic and also owned his own service station.

Vernon was a member at St. Patrick Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and was a charter member of the Waukon Lions Club. He was also an Eucharistic minister and volunteered for senior citizen tax preparation. He enjoyed fishing and family genealogy.

A great craftsman, Vernon did a lot of woodworking and made furniture, birdhouses, Christmas crèches, and a variety of items for his grandchildren. He loved dirt track stock car racing and built a championship race car with his good friend, Roger McMillan. Most of all he loved his family, and had a special bond with his grandchildren.

Vernon is survived by eight children, Sister Mary Suzanne “Theresa” Gallagher of Waukon, Maurice (Lorraine) Gallagher of Postville, Michael (Annie) Gallagher of Waukon, Daniel (Renay) Gallagher of Waukon, Mary (Mark) Verthein of Waukon, Monica (Kenny) McGeough of Waterville, Martha (Dale) Day of Waukon and Paul (Carolyn) Gallagher of Garnavillo; 27 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Idella (Bernard) Bresnahan of Waukon and Karen Sweet of Minneapolis; four brothers, Robert (Connie) of Waukon, Father Maurice of Boone, Colo., Joe (Inez) of Dorchester and Donald (Charlene) of Bossier City, La.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Frances in 2002; two sons, Patrick and David Gallagher; grandson, Troy Gallagher; brother, Thomas Gallagher; and sister, Dorothy Deeny.

Honorary casketbearers are Vernon's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Casketbearers are Nick and Eric Verthein, Mike, John, and Andy Gallagher, Paul Gallagher Jr., Matt and Josh Beisker, Trent, Travis, and Brandon Gallagher, Dalen Day and Cory McGeough.

Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.

Published Dec. 27, 2013 in The Gazette