Vernon Henry Baehman, age 94, New London. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (II Tim. 4:7, nkjv) His Lord and Savior gathered Vernon Henry Baehman in to His arms and took him to his heavenly home on February 23, 2014.
He was born on April 15, 1919, to Louis and Clara (Winter) Baehman. Vernon was but three years old when he sat on his mother’s knee and she taught him the Lord’s Prayer in German. He was baptized, attended, and was confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hortonville. He started his farming career at the age of 9 on his father’s farm. While attending a friend’s wedding dance, he met the former Margaret Korth, and they were married on December 18, 1941. They lived and farmed in the Hortonville area, and raised three sons and three daughters. Marge preceded Vernon in death in 1972, after battling cancer. Vernon later married Bernice McNulty and moved, along with his younger children, to Wellington, Colorado. After a few years they returned to the New London area. He became an employee of the Hortonville Wire Works, and also joined the Radtke Real Estate group in New London. Bea preceded him in death in 1999 after a long illness. In 2004, Vernon renewed his acquaintance with June Close. On January 2, 2005, in addition to being his best friend, June became Vernon’s wife. They shared companionship for the last 9 years of his life. June was also his caregiver. Our entire family will be forever grateful for her care and love. Vernon was a good man with a hearty laugh, who loved to have a good time with his friends. Almost every Tuesday for the past 12 years he played cards with “the old foagies” at Lathrop’s cabin. In fact, there was never a deck of cards, a cribbage board, or a gallon of ice cream that got away from him.
Vernon is survived by his wife, June; three daughters: Bonnie (Mark) Sommer, Racine; Beverly Franke, Pewaukee; Beth (Don) Grosek, Neenah; a daughter-in-law, Annette Baehman, Appleton; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. He is further survived by a brother, Louis, Ripon and a sister, Vera (John) Maahs, Holly Lake Ranch, Texas. He is also survived by 3 step-children: Jay (Mary) Close, New London; Jan (Pat) Close, New York; Todd (Susan) Close, New London; also 6 step-grandchildren and 6 step-great-grandchildren and his dog Peanut. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents and two wives; three sons: Vernon Jr., Rick and Randy; two brothers: Kenneth and Walmer and a sister, Elnora.
Funeral services for Vernon will be held on Friday, February 28, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church, New London with Rev. Marcus Schulz officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be in the Hortonville Union Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established. Cline Hanson Funeral Home, New London is assisting the family with arrangements. www.clinehansonfuneralhome.com