Vernon E. Kraetsch was born on January 21, 1928, in Ellsworth, Minnesota to the late George and Emmy (Moeller) Kraetsch and baptized on June 8, 1928. He spent his early years in Kanaranzi, Minnesota attending school there. In 1946, Vern graduated from Magnolia. In 1951, Vern enlisted in the United States Navy until 1954 when he was honorably discharged. On September 29, 1957, Vern was united in marriage to Ardoth Jauert in Luverne, Minnesota. They made their home in Luverne where Vernon was a letter carrier for the US Postal Service until retiring in 1988. They then moved to Windom to be closer to family. Vern enjoyed woodworking-making toys and furniture, along with other projects for family. Recently, Vern became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society Sogge Memorial in Windom where he passed away on Saturday morning, September 11, 2021, at the age of 93. Vern is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Ardoth Kraetsch of Windom; three children, Patricia "Trish" (Alan) Schulz of Windom; Michael "Mike" (Lisa) Kraetsch of Pagosa Springs, CO; Carolyn (Neal) Townsend of Fort Worth, TX; 7 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two siblings, Twila (Milt) Lauck of Sioux Falls, SD; Floyd (Mary) Kraetsch of Luverne; and many nieces and nephews. Vern is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Gerald Kraetsch and one sister, Lois Kelly. Blessed be the memory of Vernon E. Kraetsch.