Vernon D. Coffin

Vernon D. Coffin, 91, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, died Thursday, January 6, 2011, at The Gardens Assisted Living in Fort Dodge.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m., Monday, January 10, 2011, at the Celebration Center at Friendship Haven, with Pastor Matthew Martens officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until the time of services at the Celebration Center. Burial will be in the Dayton Cemetery. Carson - Stapp Funeral Home in Dayton is in charge of arrangements.

Vernon Delmer Coffin was born on April 13, 1919, in rural Burnside, Iowa, the son Earl and Lana (Schram) Coffin. He attended schools in the area of his birth, graduated with the Burnside High School class of 1937. On July 3, 1940, Vernon was united in marriage to Betty Jean (Hewitt). The couple made their home on farms in the Burnside and Dayton areas. In 1969, he became employed at Iowa State University in Ames at the Residence Department and retired in 1984. Vernon moved to Fort Dodge in July of 2006. He belonged to Grace Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge.

Vernon is survived by two children, Betty (Leroy) Hartquist of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Richard (Linda) Coffin of Norman, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Pam (Jeff) Borup, Mike (Jill) Hartquist, and Jason (Sarah) Coffin, seven great grandchildren, Brittany and Briana Borup, Madison and Chase Hartquist, Camille, Issac, and Chapman Coffin; and two sisters, Lois Howard of Des Moines, Iowa, and Lucille Zenor of Montera, California; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty Jean Coffin; two sisters, Ina Jessen and Ruth Rufer; and four children in infancy.

Memorials may be left to either: Grace Lutheran Church, Trinity Hospice, or Friendship Haven.