Vernon Donald Kompelien, age 85 of Embarrass, passed away peacefully Tuesday, August 22, 2017 in his home. He was born August 7, 1932 in Pinecreek, MN the son of Oluf and Anna (Knutson) Kompelien. Donnie grew up speaking mostly Norwegian on his family farm until the age of seven. He farmed with his family until entering the U.S. Navy; serving from 1952 - 1956. He served on the USS Purdy DD-734 and visited 32 different countries during the Korean Conflict. Vern was united in marriage to Audrinne Marie Dybedahl on June 1, 1958 at Salem Lutheran Church - Malung, MN. They started their married life in Thief River Falls, MN where he worked as a plumber until they moved and settled in Embarrass, MN. There he built their homestead and they remained there for 57 years. During that time he worked for Erie and then Reserve Mining, did investments & stock sales, was a self-employed carpenter, built and repaired tv's & cb radios, traveled to work on the Orwick Farm in North Dakota, did maintenance for the Supreme Court in Virginia, and then his favorite job - owning and operating ADK Books in Tower with his wife. Upon his retirement: he continued to travel to ND on occasion, devoted his time to woodworking, built beautiful furniture pieces for his loved ones, and spent time with his family who lovingly referred to him as "Buppa.". He was a member of the Babbitt VFW Post # 1539, the Sons of Norway, the Embarrass Town Board, the Embarrass Federal Credit Union Board, was active in Youth Hockey during his sons involvement, and an active member of Hope Lutheran Church in prior years.

Vernon is survived by his loving wife of 59 years; Audrinne (Dybedahl) Kompelien; daughter: Karen (Russ) Reichter; daughter-in-law: Lorinda Kompelien; grandchildren: Paige (Jacob) Rosandich, Andrea (Cody) Kasper, Erik (Breanna) Kompelien, and Karl Kompelien; great grandchildren: Juhani, Audii, & Taavi Rosandich, and Elena Kasper. He is also survived by: Lavern Kompelien, Linda Lee, Elaine Honl, Winnie Koivisto, Dennis Niemi, Mitchell Lee, Charlene Meinzer, Tor Erik & Wenche Stenberg, Per Odd Smelhus, Glen & Chris Orwick, and many other beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and family friends.

He is preceded in death by his son: Jeffrey Kompelien; parents: Oluf and Anna Kompelien; siblings: Opal Markstrom, Kermit Kompelien, Gordon Kompelien, Roy and Darlene (Dybedahl) Kompelien, Amy Johnson, James Kompelien, Ruby Warnecke, and Ruth Kompelien; brother-in-law: Owen Lee; nephews: Arnie & Allan Lee, and Jerome Honl; niece: Deanna Jorgenson; great-nephew: Brian Kompelien; and father & mother-in-law: Fred and Freda Dybedahl.

The Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 27, 2017 at Hope Lutheran Church in Embarrass. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the Church. Interment will follow in the Embarrass Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Babbitt VFW Post # 1539 Honor Guard.

Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com .

Visitation 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ,Sunday, August 27, 2017
Hope Lutheran- Embarrass
5088 Hwy21 Embarrass, MN 55732
Funeral Service 3:00 PM ,Sunday, August 27, 2017
Hope Lutheran- Embarrass
5088 Hwy21 Embarrass, MN 55732
Interment 4:00 PM ,Sunday, August 27, 2017
Embarrass Cemetery
Hwy 135 & Hwy 21 Embarrass, MN 55732
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