Vern Joseph Parenteau

Vern Joseph Parenteau, 92, died Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at his home surrounded by his loving family.  

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, September 18, 2021, following a 12:00pm visitation hour at St. Philips Catholic Church, Bemidji with Fr. Bill DeCrans officiating. There will be an additional visitation from 5pm-7pm on Friday, September 17 with a prayer service at 6:30pm at the church.  Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Bemidji.

Vern Joseph Parenteau was born January 26, 1929, in Red Lake Falls, MN to John & Ida Parenteau.  His family moved to Bemidji when he was a young boy.  Vern graduated from St. Thomas Military Academy in St. Paul, MN.  He entered the US Navy after WWII and was stationed aboard ship. Once he was honorably discharged from the Navy, he married Adeline Egeland on August 19, 1954, in Webster, SD.  Vern then went to work for the Northern Pacific Railroad and would remain there until his retirement in 1980.  During that time, he and Addie owned the Corner Tavern in Nymore.  He loved to travel with his girls and friends in his “Gypsy House” where he was able to attend country concerts, rodeos with his wife, Addie and later, his life partner, Sheryl Ristvedt. Vern also enjoyed boating and pulling skiers for endless hours of fun. 

Vern is survived by his daughters, Micki (Gary) Allen, Tammy Parenteau and Lori (Darrell) Patterson; 8 grandchildren & 10 great grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his wife, Addie; life partner, Sheryl Ristvedt; sister, Patricia Davis-Bauman; brother, Louis; grandson Cory Lee Bliss and great-granddaughter, Piper Danielle Reierson; fur babies, Abby & Coco.