Jan. 11, 1940-July 11, 2024
Verlin Ireland, formerly of Dawson, Minnesota, died Thursday, July 11, 2024, in St. George, Utah, after a short illness at the age of 84. Verlin Gene Ireland was born in Renville County, Minnesota on Jan. 11, 1940, the son of Glenn and Agnes (Fundinglsand) Ireland. The youngest of three, nicknamed Sonny, spent most of his childhood growing up in Minnesota where he graduated from Renville High School in 1958. Soon, he met the first love of his life. One Friday night in early 1960, he was driving his souped-up car through the nearby town of Granite Falls. It was here he met Karen (Patty) Kipp. A few months of courtship led to an elopement and wedding on Sept. 14, 1960. Vern was a man of many talents until he started his dream career with Northwestern Bell Telephone in 1966, retiring in 1994.
Karen and Vern enjoyed life together in small-town Minnesota and eventually settled in rural Dawson, Minnesota, in April 1972. Along the way, their family grew to seven. They loved their life together spanning 32 years. Sadly, Karen passed away suddenly on Sept. 22, 1992. Vern took the opportunity to work in St George, Utah, with AT&T in 1993. This is where he, through an acquaintance, met the final love of his love, Merle Jacobsen Giles. They were married on Oct. 29, 1993, in St George. After the sudden death of Merle’s daughter Cristi, Vern and Merle adopted her young son Kason and raised him to adulthood.
Vern was an avid collector from antiques to automobiles, always in search of the next treasure. He loved garage sales, estate sales and visiting the D.I. (thrift store in Utah). He loved seafood, any kind of ice cream, rommegrot and lefsa, and don’t forget the Minnesota Twins, not necessarily in that order. He had a zest for life and will be sadly missed.
He is survived by his children Dave (Sandy), Steve (Rose), Laurie (Gregg), Tricia (Timothy) and Kason Giles; stepdaughters Angela (Ben) and Lisa (Darcey); along with 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, a family friend and caretaker Angela Talbot.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wives Karen and Merle; a son Kevin; a stepdaughter Cristi; a brother Glenn; and a sister Virginia.
In honor of Vern’s love of the Minnesota Twins, please wear a Twins shirt or any MLB shirt to the funeral.
A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff St., St. George, Utah.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 26, at 11 a.m. at Lac qui Parle Lutheran Church, rural Dawson. The Rev. Matt Danielson will officiate, and the interment will be in the church cemetery.
A visitation will also be held at the same church for one hour before the service.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St. George, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to click here to sign Verlin’s online guest book.