Vernon Bures, 86, of Pickstown

Vernon Bures, son of Frank and Julia (Kucera) Bures, was born April 2, 1929 on a farm near Wagner. He died Friday, March 25, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society in Wagner, at the age of 86 years. Vernon had been diagnosed with cancer in 2013. Private family Memorial Services will be held at a later date. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner is in charge of arrangements.

Vernon attended country school near Wagner and then attended Wagner High School for two years. He graduated from Sioux City Central High School in 1946. After high school, he picked apples in Washington, potatoes in Canada and any other jobs that were available. Vernon worked on the Ft. Randall Dam and farmed before being drafted.

Vernon married Lucille Arneson of Tyndall, SD at Lawton, OK in 1951. Four children were blessed to their union.

Vernon served in the Korean War with the 92nd Armored Battalion as a Sergeant 1st Class and earned three bronze stars. He served from August 22, 1951 to May 14, 1953. After returning home from the war, Vernon never wanted to travel much, so he returned to the Wagner area and farmed and ranched. He later moved to a farm at Pickstown, where he lived until entering the Good Samaritan Home in Wagner on October 18, 2013. Vern always said that the hills along the river reminded him of Korea. He loved raising cattle and was 75 when he was talked into selling his cattle. Vernon later sat on his couch and counted the renter's cattle as they came home to drink.

Vernon enjoyed dancing, playing cards and visiting with anyone about anything. The last thing he enjoyed was being crowned King with his Queen at the Valentine's Day party at the Wagner GSS.

Vernon was a member of the Fort Randall Castle American Legion Post 282 of Pickstown and the Rollie Bucholz VFW Post 7319 in Wagner.

Thankful for having shared his life are his wife, Lucille of Pickstown/Wagner; children: Michael of Corsica, Gerald of Ft. Dodge, IA, Patricia (Mike) Kisely of Huron, and Randal (Lisa) of Hiawatha, IA; 13 grandchildren: Nicole (David) Hansen, Kenneth Bures, Wayne (Kristen) Bures, Danielle (Ryan) Kollasch, Hillary (Don) Van Horn, Ashley (Andre) Reodica, Tyler Bures, David Kisely, John (Nicole) Kisely, Sara (Nathan) Van Noord, Katie Bures, Jacquelyn (Kasey) Kreuzer and Tommy Bures; 12 great grandchildren: Sydney Dean and Ryan Hansen, Bailey and Austin Kollasch, Allison Van Horn, Lee and Ava Kisely, Olivia and John Van Noord, Madeline Bures, and Wade and Beau Kreuzer; sister, Norma Hamilton of Yankton; and in-laws: Hazel Ferwerda of Florida and Don (Marie) Arneson of Yankton.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law; daughter-in-law, Geralyn; grandson, David; two brothers: Bill (Mary) and Dale; in-laws: Lester Arneson, Gladys (Carl) Kryger, Eveleyn (Joe) Fuchs, Clarence (Kathryn) Arneson, Noel Ferwerda and Frank Arneson; one niece, Sarah Arneson (daughter of Clarence and Kathryn); and one nephew, Keith Arneson, (son of Frank).