Vernon Huber

Vernon R. Huber, 96, died September 14, 2024, at his home in Mandan. 

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 AM on Friday, September 20, 2024, at Christ the King Catholic Church, Mandan, with Fr. Fred Harvey celebrating. Burial will be at 2 PM at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery with full military honors.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Parish Rosary & Vigil at 7 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Vernon was born September 4, 1928, in Mandan, ND, the second eldest of six children born to Joseph and Elsie (Moebius) Huber. Upon graduating from Mandan High School, Vern was awarded a football scholarship to UND. While attending UND, Vern was afforded the opportunity to join the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). Having achieved the rank of Cadet Colonel during his senior year, he was offered a regular United States Air Force Commission. Vern began his pilot training in Randolph, Texas. This training eventually led to him flying an F-84 Thunderjet, beginning in December 1951. In January 1952, he was assigned to the 9th Fighter Bomber Wing and 49th Fighter Bomber Wing at Taegu Air Base in Korea. On May 16, 1952, Vern became a Prisoner of War (POW) during the Korean War. On September 20, 1953, after 16 months as a POW, Vern arrived in San Francisco, CA, as a repatriated Korean War prisoner. 

A year and a half after his release, Vern married his sweetheart, Marlene Boehm. Colonel Vernon Huber retired as Commander of the 456th Bombardment Wing at Beale Air Force Base in California in 1975, ending a 25-year career in the United States Air Force.

After his military retirement, Vern became a realtor and worked for Robert James Realty. Eventually he decided the “full-retirement” life was for him and Marlene. They spent their time traveling, and in time, became the “best grandparents” around!

Left to cherish Vern's memory are his daughter and son-in-law, Marla and Randy Joersz, Mandan; grandchildren, Mandy (Charles) Dendy, Bismarck, and their daughters, Madeliene, Lola, Willow, and Isabella; Blaine (Kiana) Joersz, Denver, CO, and their children, Adriana and Quinlan; and Melissa Joersz (Jayme) Emmetsburg, IA, and their sons, Jayson and Carter; brother, Duane (Georgette) Huber, Livermore, CA; brother-in-law, Virgil Kilen, Mandan; and his faithful companion, Alice Ereth, Mandan; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Vern was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marlene, in 2003; his son, Scott Huber; sweet baby daughter, Jane Marie; precious great grandsons, Wyatt and Eli Dendy; parents, Joe and Elsie Huber; brother, Edwin (Shirley) Huber; sisters, Lorraine Kilen, Donna (Robert) Joersz, Marlene (Bud) Kindel; sister and brother-in-law, Shirley (Edward) Makelke; and nephews, Joel Joersz and Kevin Kilen. 

Off you go Vern, into the Wild Blue Yonder!!

To learn more about Vern’s time as a Prisoner of War, his book, “To Korea & Back: A POW’s Story: The Story of Vernon Huber,” is available on Amazon with all proceeds going to Veterans organizations.