Vernon Ralph Shamp, 88

Published 9:03 am Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Vernon Ralph Shamp, 88

Vernon Ralph Shamp, 88, of Elysian, Minnesota, died on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018, at the Benedictine Health Care Center in St. Peter, Minnesota.

Born on Aug. 8, 1929, in Pine River, Minnesota, Vern was the son of Frank and Elizabeth (Brooks) Shamp. He grew up on a farm in Pine River along with seven brothers and sisters. Vern joined the National Guard in 1948 and then moved to Minneapolis, where he met his wife Lorraine Fiedler at the Marigold Ballroom, thus his love of dancing. They were married in Minneapolis on Sept. 6, 1949, and then moved to Austin, Minnesota. He worked at Hormel Co. for 35 years and the Oaks Condominium for 12 years. In 2007, they retired to their lake home on German Lake, where they became members of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Elysian. Vern served as Mapleview Fire Chief for 42 years and helped with many community volunteer projects. He loved fishing, hunting and trapping with the boys, playing bingo and was always ready for a game of cards. Best of all, he enjoyed dancing with his beautiful wife, Lorraine.

Vern is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lorraine; three sons, Dennis (Gina) Shamp of Elysian, Randy (Karen) Shamp of Austin and Alan (Wendy) Shamp of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Ryan) Hegge, Adam (Lindy) Shamp, Amanda Paine and Aaron Morris; seven great-grandchildren, Brody, Aiden, Noah, Caleb Hegge and Johanna, Riley and Logan Shamp; and sister, Katie of Weatherford, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Christine Ann; and six brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Elysian with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Austin.