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Vernon Tesar
VERNON TESAR
1924 – 2015
Cedar Rapids
Vernon Joseph Tesar, 91, of Sun City, Ariz., formerly of Belle Plaine and Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, June 7, 2015, at Banner Hospice Inpatient Unit in Sun City West from complications of pneu-monia. Services: 1 p.m. Thursday, June 18, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Mason City, with Father Rodney Allers as celebrant. Friends may greet the family for one hour before the service. Burial: Elm-wood Cemetery, Mason City.
Survivors include his wife, Carol (Gardner); five sons, Michael (Sharon) of Omaha, Robert (Connie) of Marion, Daniel (Jenese) of Rancho Mission Viejo, Calif., Scott of Coppell, Texas, and James (Traci); and a daughter, Susan (Joe) McDuffie of Missouri City, Texas. Additional survivors include Carol's four children, Gwen, Gary, Gayle and Glen. Their blended family includes 20 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mabel Tesar; and by his first wife, Theresa Ann (Fisher) Tesar, who was the mother of his six children. They were married for 47 years before her death in 1993.
Vernon was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in the Pacific for three years during World War II. Upon his discharge, he began a long and successful career with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. His 44 years with the company took the family to many locations in the Midwest. He retired in 1985, having served his last assignment as assistant division manager-engineering for 18 years in Mason City.
Vern enjoyed the next 30 years wintering in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Sun City, Ariz. Vernon and Carol were married in 1996 and spent their summers in Fargo, N.D., near her family.
A life member of the VFW and American Legion, Vern loved to drive, and he traveled the country to visit all the places he had read about during his lifetime. He also liked to run, play golf and spend time with his far-flung family.
His outgoing, affable nature allowed him to make friends quickly. He was a wonderful happy-hour storyteller and a good friend to many.
He will be missed.
Memorials may be directed to the Hospice of North Iowa, 232 Second St. SE, Mason City, IA 50401.
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