Vernon Renbarger
Vernon Renbarger, 83, of Watford City, N.D., passed away Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, at the McKenzie County Hospital. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010, at Banks Lutheran Church. Pastor Chris Montgomery officiated and interment followed at the Banks Cemetery. Friends may share memories and condolences with the family at www.fulkersons.com.
Vernon Russel Renbarger was born Sept. 7, 1926, to James William and Jennie (Nyen) Renbarger. He spent his early years on the Missouri River flats north of Banks, N.D. Vernon went to Senechal School, then, in 1945, entered Watford City High School. 1946 brought the family’s move to the farm just south of Banks.
Vernon married Elise V. Gamache on March 22, 1952. The young couple lived on the river bottom until that fall, when they moved to the same farmstead as his parents. There, he farmed and ranched with his brother, Arnold, and their father, Jim. Later, Vernon farmed together with only his father until Jim and his wife, Jennie, moved to Watford City in the late 1960s.
Vernon and Eli have two children, Carolyn Loreen and James David. Vernon and Eli stayed on and worked the same farm until they moved to Horizons last fall. Vernon especially enjoyed visiting and putting puzzles together with his new ‘family.’
Vernon’s hobby was working. Haying equipment was prepared as soon as the new crop was in the ground, harvest equipment worked on when it rained during haying, and disks and drills were his winter projects. His cattle were well taken care of, and cattle buyers knew the Renbarger calves were good stock. After Jim took over most of the farming, Vernon started woodworking. Vernon approached this new hobby as he approached most tasks in his life: get a plan, get materials, do meticulous work completing the project, and begin planning the next.
Vernon is survived by Elise, his wife of nearly 58 years; his children, Carolyn Benjamin and James (Jody) Renbarger; grandchildren, Russel (Angela) Benjamin and their daughters, Gabriel and Leah, Loree (Brad Boggess) Benjamin, and Cory (Amanda) Renbarger and their daughter, Bella; step-grandchildren, Sheryl Borner, Tammy Benjamin, and Misty (Rod) Luke and their families; sister, Vivian (Paul) Linseth; three sisters-in-law, Borgny (Arnold) Renbarger, Florence (Ivan) Johnson, and Vera Kite.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Arnold; an infant brother and sister; grandson, Jeremiah Renbarger; and three infant grandsons.