Vern was born on December 23, 1928, in New Ulm, MN. He was the son of Joseph and Elsie (Krause) Rubey. Vern attended school at Holy Trinity Catholic School graduating in 1946. He worked for Liberty Cab and then the PUC in the Electric Department. On January 6, 1951, he married Phyllis Lang, his high school sweetheart at Holy Trinity Church.

Vern enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard on April 17, 1947. He became a member of Service Company – 135th Infantry Regiment, 47th Division. On January 16, 1951, the Division was mobilized and sent to Camp (now Fort) Rucker, AL. He was sent to Korea where he served as 1st Sergeant of the Service Battery – 138th FA Bn – 2nd Division. He returned to New Ulm in September, 1952. In October, 1953, he began his 35 years of working as a technician for the Department of Defense at the New Ulm Armory. His last 5 years were spent at Camp Ripley, MN where he served as Post Command Sergeant Major. His name remains on the honor roll at Camp Ripley.

After retirement he served 18 years as Chairman of the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for Region 6 in Southeastern MN. After retirement Vern also spent 10 years employed by Stark Farmers Insurance of Sleepy Eye as a fire safety inspector.

Vern was a volunteer fire fighter of the New Ulm Fire Department from 1955 through 1980, attaining the rank of 1st Assistant Chief. He also served as City Fire Marshal for 4 years. Sons Mike (20 yrs) and Pat (23 yrs) and son-in-law, Rick (10yrs) also served in the fire department. Vern always enjoyed his brotherhood of fire fighters (no women in those days).

Vern was a lifelong member of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. He served many years as a Eucharistic Minister. He was a member of the St. Joseph’s Society and the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of many service organizations including the Legion, VFW, DAV, National Guard Enlisted Assn, etc.

Vern was very proud of the fact that he and his immediate family served a total of 185 years in military service. He, alone, served 41 years, 8 months, and 6 days. A great-grandson serves in the Air Force at this time. Vern enlisted many young men from the surrounding area into the National Guard. In later years, wherever Vern went – church, shopping, or social events – he met former Guardsmen and always enjoyed a visit with them.

Vern enjoyed the outdoors. He walked hundreds of miles hiking Flandrau trails. Many fun times were spent fishing with Charlie or Matt. He started hunting as a boy snaring gophers in Wech’s pasture. His best times were deer hunting trips with a great bunch at Saum.

Vern is survived by his wife, Phyllis, of New Ulm; sons Gary (Kathy), Mike (JoAnn), Pat (LeAnn), all of New Ulm, and daughter Ann (Rick Block) of Brainerd, MN; 7 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Elsie Rubey; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Loretta (Ted Kretsch/Donald Walser) Walser and Marion (Donald) Fiebiger; and his brother Joseph (Beps) Rubey.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. Burial will follow in the New Ulm City , Cemetery Soldier’s Rest Section with full military honors provided by the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard.

Visitation will be 4 – 7 p.m. Monday and 9 – 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home NORTH Chapel in New Ulm.

To leave an online condolence for his family or to sign the guest book go to www.mvfh.org.

Memorials may be given in Vern’s name to NUACS or to Oak Hills.

Vern, go in peace and celebrate your 93rd birthday with Jesus. Mach es gut and auf wiedersehn!

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