Vernon L. Kolb, beloved father, Papa, brother, and friend, was called home to Heaven to meet his Lord on Sunday, November 22, 2009 in Billings, Montana.


Vernon was born on January 25, 1931 at Date, SD. He was the sixth of nine children born to Rudolph and Amelia (Hintz) Kolb. He attended grade school in Reder School District and then graduated in 1948 from Northwestern Lutheran Academy in Mobridge, SD. While attending school, Vernon met his sweetheart Darlene Hochhalter and they married June 29, 1952. He earned his teaching certificate from Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. Vernon taught school in various counties during the school year and spent the summers flying with his brothers. After obtaining his commercial pilot's license in 1958, Vernon sprayed crops, seeded clouds, instructed flight students, counted wildlife for the Game and Fish department, and flew charters.


In May of 1962 Vernon and Darlene moved to Lemmon, SD where they started Kolb Machine Shop. In 1974 the machine shop closed to the public and Vernon worked for Wheeler Manufacturing, making and maintaining machinery to manufacture jewelry. He continued until his retirement in June 2002.


Vernon was a consummate teacher and was able to enrich many people's lives with his knowledge. He enjoyed fishing with his best friend and wife Darlene, flying and teasing his grandchildren, the children of the church and community. He will be greatly missed by his family but will be remembered for his wisdom, smile, and his joking nature and witty sense of humor.


He is survived by three daughters, Marion (Earl) Seaholm, Billings MT, Susan Urban, Billings MT, Noreen (Mark) Fahsholz, Walcott, ND; six grandchildren, AJ (Michelle) Seaholm, Brian (Anne) Seaholm, Trevor (Maureen) Urban, Katie (Travis) Gross, Kari Bubbers and Adam Fahsholz, and four great grandchildren, Madison, Taryn, Macey, Tagon Seaholm; two sisters, Lillian Simon, Spearfish, SD, Deanna (Rod) Kensrud, Fargo, ND, sisters-in-law, Betty (Raymond) Kolb, Lemmon, SD; Willeyene (Eldred) Kolb, Bison, SD; 3 brothers, Ernest (Darlene) Kolb, Bison SD, Arnold (Florence) Kolb, Alamagordo, NM, Delbert (Betty) Kolb, Sturgis, SD, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.


He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 54 years Darlene (Hochhalter) Kolb; three brothers, Gilbert, Raymond and Eldred Kolb; son-in-law, Jim Urban, one brother-in-law, Lee Simon.


The Funeral Service for Vernon will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lemmon. Rev. Frank Gantt will officiate with burial in the Date Cemetery southwest of Bison.


A family service will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday evening at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon.


Serving as Honorary Bearers are Aaron Seaholm, Brian Seaholm, Trevor Urban, Adam Fahsholz, Katie Bubbers, and Kari Bubbers. Serving as Active Casketbearers are Dwight, Jeff, Duane, and Lowell Kolb, Brad Wheeler, and Mike Ginther.


A memorial has been established.


Visitation will be Tuesday 1:00 to 7:00 pm at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon.