Vernon Harry Albertson was born on May 27, 1926 in Apple River Township of Polk County, Wisconsin the son of Henry and Ethel (Johnson) Albertson. He attended the Goose Lake School through the 8th grade. He then went to the Balsam Lake High School and finished his junior year. Because of the war he enlisted in the Navy and went to Farragut Naval Base in Idaho for boot camp. He was then transferred to San Diego for basic engineering school. He was sent to Pearl Harbor for his first deployment. He was discharged in August of 1943 and had attained the rank of Machinist Mate 3rd Class. He returned to Amery and worked for Ralph Pennington at the Gas Station and later in the Ice Cream Plant. He also took training at the Volga Airport to get is license as an airplane pilot. On September 27, 1947 he was united in marriage to Viola Johnson at the Balsam Lutheran Church Parsonage. He worked for Fay Auto Company in downtown Amery for several years. Because he wanted to work in his field of training he took a job at Fabri-tek until being laid off. He went to Work for Thompson Machine where he worked until retiring because of his failing eye sight.
After retiring he got very involved in crafts. He made many things for family and friends and for church sales. His workmanship was beautiful even if he was legally blind. The past few months have seen a difficult struggle with congestive heart failure and lung and kidney issues. He died at the Amery Regional Medical Center on Monday December 21, 2009 at the age of 83 years. December 21 was the same date his mother passed away.
He will be greatly missed by his wife of 63 years Viola, son Donald and his wife Marie, one grandson Troy Busick as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held on Saturday December 26, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Amery with Pastor Keith Ruehlow officiating. Soloist was Eric Aleckson. Organist was Helen Osborn. Casketbearers were: Bill Johnson, Clifton Johnson, Raymond Strohbeen, Brian Johnson, Les Markee and Jason Amans. Honorary casketbearers were: Herb Johnson, Jerry Baldwin, Merle Bergren, Alan Amans, Doug Nelson and Alvin Swanson. Interment was at the Amery Cemetery.