Vernon W. Lane

Vernon William Lane of White Lake died at Aspirus Wausau Hospital on Dec. 26, 2013 at the age of 77. He was born April 8, 1936 in Wausau, son of the late Roland Victor and Eleanor Winifred (Tucker)Lane. He graduated from Wausau East High School in 1954, and earned an accounting degree from Northcentral Technical College. He married Elizabeth "Betsy" (nee Spiller) Berge on March 25, 1989 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in White Lake. He served in the Army National Guard. Vernon retired after a varied career that included employment at Wausau Homes, operating a dairy farm, working for an agricultural cooperative, brokering real estate, and other jobs. Vernon was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in White Lake, where he was longtime treasurer of the congregation. He also was a great supporter of the youth group, assisting with their pizza sales. Also active in the wider community, Vernon volunteered delivering meals to the homebound in Antigo and White Lake, and served as a director of the White Lake Area Historical Society. He enjoyed traveling and camping. Vernon was a member of the Gateway Squares, attending square dance conventions around Wisconsin, and also visiting other state conventions. He liked riding trains, visiting interesting places in railroad history, and collecting model trains. Survivors, in addition to his wife, include 2 sons, Kristopher Berge of Wausau, and Kenneth Berge of Elton; 2 sisters, Jeanette (Dave) Schulz of Merrill, and Nancy Lane (special friend Marvin) of Dodgeville; a brother-in-law, Duane Calmes of Wausau; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Linda Calmes, and a brother, Don Lane. A funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. Monday at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in White Lake. Visitation will be 9:00-11:00 a.m. Monday at the church. Local veterans will perform military rites at the church immediately after the service. Interment will take place at a later date at Restlawn Cemetery in Wausau. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the St. Matthew Lutheran Church building fund.