Vernon L. Bane

Vernon L. Bane, 94, passed away Saturday, November 30, 2024, at Prairie Vista Village in Altoona, IA.

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, December 5 at 10:00 a.m. at Mitchellville Christian church, 210 3rd St., NW, Mitchellville, IA.

Vernon was born August 1, 1930, to Merle and Opal (Wagner) Bane on a small farm near Bagley, IA. The family farmed on several farmsteads around the area. Vernon graduated from Bayard High School in 1950. He then attended AIB Business School in Des Moines for a year before being drafted into the Army in 1952. In the Army he served in Alaska during the Korean Conflict.

He was joined in marriage to Esther L. Bull in 1957. They started their family with Jim, followed by Diane, while living in Des Moines. In 1967 they moved to Mitchellville and completed their family with Cynthia. When the nest was empty in 1992, they moved to a small acreage near Glidden. They resided there until 2021 when they moved to Prairie Vista Village in Altoona.

Vernon worked many jobs in his life; working on the farm, server at Younkers Tea Room, Taxi Driver for Ruan Cab was just the start. The bulk of his time was spent working at Dico Mfg. in Des Moines for 35 years until retirement. After working his way through most of the production jobs in the plant he retired as Shipping and Receiving Clerk. After retiring he continued working various jobs. He was a grounds keeper for an apartment complex, helping on farms in Carroll County, working for Bomgaars and reading meters for the REC. Finally, he settled on a part-time job with APQS wiring quilting machines. He FINALLY retired from employment at age 82 to pursue his real job of mowing the yard. He truly enjoyed mowing. When he was not working or mowing, he enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting, canoeing, bicycling, motorcycling and square dancing. After moving to Prairie Vista, he enjoyed playing Bean Bag Baseball and was not happy if he had to miss a game or practice.

Vernon is survived by Esther, his wife of 67 years, son, Jim (Jan), daughters, Diane (Scott) Benjamin, Cynthia Bane (Chris Haymaker), grandchildren, Miranda (Nick), Carissa (Andy), Sarah, Jenny (Kyle), Joel (Katie), Haile and Mae, great-grandchildren, Sullivan, Elsie and Cooper, and his brother, Virgil (LaVonne).

In addition to his parents, Vernon is preceded in death by his sister, Vaneta Moore and brother, Larry.

Vernon was a Charter Member of the Mitchellville Lions Club and a 70-year Member of the Bayard American Legion.

Memorial contributions can be made in Vernon’s name to the Mitchellville Lions Club, the Bayard American Legion or Pleasant Ridge Evangelical Free Church-Youth Activities Fund.

Interment at Orange Township Cemetery, Coon Rapids, IA, at a later date.