Vernon A. Dalzell

Vernon A. Dalzell, 95, of Walhalla, ND passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 13, 2014 at the Pembilier Nursing Center in Walhalla.
He was born Jan. 18, 1919, to James and Josephine Dalzell.
Vernon was a faithful man; attending St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Leroy where he received his First Communion, was confirmed, met and married his lifetime sweetheart, Marie Bailly, on June 1, 1928. They celebrated 76 years of marriage this year and became TV "stars" because of their long marriage. He served in the Army in World War II and earned a purple heart for being wounded. When he returned to the U.S. they lived in Cavalier, ND.
He worked as a farm hand and in an elevator in Walhalla, and parts manager at Olson Motors in Cavalier before moving to Walhalla to buy the service station and run it for 23 years to end his working years. He retired in 1984 and spent many happy months each year at Lake of the Woods until 2003.
Vernon was active in the communities he lived in; serving in both his Cavalier & Walhalla church communities in many capacities; including the Knights of Columbus. He was a volunteer fire fighter in Cavalier, and active in the American Legion in both communities. He also served as an alderman in Walhalla for several years.
He was a talented woodworker and his creations grace the homes of many people. His church and the public library also contain some of his beautiful woodworking.He bowled and golfed but enjoyed fishing most of all.
Vernon is survived by his wife of 76 years, Marie; daughter-in-law, Marge Dalzell, Mesa, AZ; children Catherine Pogorzelski, Green Bay, WI; Marilyn (Gary) Smith, Afton, MN; John (Jeanine) Dalzell, Dayton, WA; Robert (Elizabeth) Dalzell, Sebastopol, CA; and Jeffrey (Barbara) Dalzell, Blaine, MN. Also survived by brothers, Leonard & Donald Dalzell and sister, Leonora Gelder; 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Boyd Louis and Clifford Dean; sister, Annie (Romeo) Beauchamp; brothers, Clarence (Edna) and Ervin (Elizabeth) Dalzell and son-law, Alex Pogorzelski.
Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday August 19, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. , with a prayer service to follow. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 10:30 a.m., at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Walhalla. Burial will be held at the St. Brigid's Catholic Cemetery, Cavalier, ND.