Vernon Foss

Vernon M. Foss passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2026 at Samaritan Bethany Nursing Home in Rochester at the age of 98. 

Vern was born on August 12, 1927 to Anton and Alma (Spelhaug) Foss at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. 

At age 8 he had his appendix removed by Dr. Charlie Mayo who left a minuscule scar. He attended country school and at the age of 17 entered the United States Army. His brother, Marv was doing the farming for their mom when he was paralyzed by polio. The Red Cross got Vern out of the service to take over the farming. Vern met Susan Bates in 1953 and on September 25, 1954 they were married at Root Prairie Church in Fountain. In 1957, their 98 year family farm was sold and Vern and Sue moved to Rochester. Vern worked for Rochester Dairy, Montgomery Ward, and then his dream job for the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier. In 1988 Vern suffered a heart attack and retired. Vern enjoyed woodworking, reading, politics and traveling around the United States, Norway, England and Ireland. He also loved to lend a helping hand to his four children in clearing blackberry bushes from their yards, putting in a lawn sprinkler system or remodeling their homes. 

Vern is survived by his wife of 71 1/2 years Susan of Rochester, a daughter Linda (David) Crawley of Rochester, three sons Jerry (Maki) of Bothell, WA, Greg (Lisa) of Pagosa Springs, CO and Tony of Claremont, MN, 4 grandsons Dan, Justin, Jared, and Takumi and one great-granddaughter Madelyn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers Leland and Marvin and many cousins.

If you never met Vern you missed knowing a man who enjoyed a good laugh, was always sharing his handyman skills and promoted seeing both sides before making a judgement. He was just a really nice guy.