Vernon Frandsen, 68, of Lake Andes

Funeral services will be 2 PM, Monday, March 10, 2025 at the First Lutheran Church in Lake Andes. Burial is in Lakeview Cemetery in Lake Andes. Visitation will be at the church on Sunday from 2-4 PM. Peters Funeral Home in Wagner is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to the Lake Andes Fire Department to be used for equipment needed.

Vernon Frandsen was born on July 24, 1956 in Wagner, SD to Alyce (Brodsky) and Ejner Frandsen. He joined his 4 years older sister Pam as their second child. They were joined 4 years later by another brother Bruce to round out the family with 3 siblings.

Vernon attended country school with his sister before moving to Lake Andes for elementary school. Throughout his school years, he focused on playing football and was a starter for the 1973 high school team which went undefeated and only had 6 points scored against them on defense. He went on to graduate from Andes Central High School in 1974.

After high school he attended 2 years of trade school at the Mitchell Vo-Tech studying architectural drafting. After completing his studies at the vo-tech, he worked briefly at the Ravinia Elevator and part-time in the summer for the Corp of Engineers. He married Amanda in 1983 and went to work full-time with Charles Mix County highway department. He also spent time helping his Dad on the family farm eventually taking it over full time. Vernon sold the farm in 1993 and spent 7 years driving truck for the Houseman Brothers out of Lake Andes hauling livestock and grain.

In 2000, Vernon went to work for the City of Lake Andes in the maintenance department. This would be his last job and where he spent 19 years in service to the city where he grew up and lived retiring in 2019. His service to the City of Lake Andes also included being very actively involved as a member of the volunteer fire department in the community.

Vernon enjoyed bowling and playing pool including traveling to compete in many state and national tournaments. His skills were strong enough to result in several trophies he accumulated over the time of his participation in those activities. He was an avid NASCAR fan and his favorite professional sports teams included the Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins. He was obviously no stranger to disappointment being a Vikings and Twins fan……

He is survived by his children Matt (Kristin) Frandsen of Derby, KS, Brandon Frandsen of Mitchell, and Chelsa Frandsen (James Marion) of Omaha, NE; seven grandkids: Ali, Frani, Taylor, Olivia, Micah, Dalton, and Juliahna; his sister Pam Cwach of Tyler, MN and brother Bruce (Tammie) Frandsen of Kalamazoo, MI.

He was preceded in death by his parents.