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Official Obituary of

Vern Turner Genzlinger

November 15, 1940 ~ May 24, 2022 (age 81) 81 Years Old

Vern Genzlinger Obituary

Genzlinger, Vern T., born November 15, 1940, passed away peacefully May 24, 2022 at the age of 81.

Born and raised on a farm in Burke, SD to parents Harry and Ruth Genzlinger. After graduating from Burke High school in 1959, Vern earned his civil engineering degree from South Dakota State University. His engineering career began in Los Angeles County, California. After 5 years, missing the Midwest and wanting to be closer to the family farm, he settled in Maple Plain and worked for Hennepin County for 30 years until his retirement. He was instrumental in the execution of numerous high-profile County projects including the Hennepin Avenue Bridge, the Minneapolis garbage burning facility, and the Light Rail system, all while wearing his signature cowboy boots. Whether it was work or play or church on Sunday, Vern was rarely seen without his cowboy boots! In retirement, Vern was most happy when working on his farm in South Dakota, vacationing in St. Maarten or spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Vern was preceded in death by his first wife, Gail. Vern is survived by his wife of 20 years, MaryEllen; children Todd Genzlinger (Amy), Craig Genzlinger (JoLynn), Kim Guettler (Jim) and Mike Genzlinger (Joanne), stepchildren Eric Hudson (Michelle) and Kelley Linquist; 11 grandchildren, and brother, Lowell Genzlinger (Alice).

Simply put, Vern was everything to everyone. Vern will be long remembered as a man of the utmost integrity and character. He was the go-to guy for everyone who was fortunate to know him. Whatever was needed – be it helping to milk the neighbor’s cows during a blizzard, pulling someone out of a snow drift, building a deck, or seeking wise counsel – Vern was your man! He will be deeply missed by his family and friends, but we all know that he is already busy in the afterlife clearing a plot of land where we can all gather again, still wearing his cowboy boots.

Services will be held at Saint Ambrose Catholic Church, 4125 Woodbury Drive, Woodbury, MN at 11am on 5/31 with lunch to follow. Visitation one hour prior to services. Interment Graceland Cemetery 1 pm on 6/2 in Burke, SD. A gathering to follow at the residence of Tom and Mary Lou Bohnet.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, lbda.org