Vern Anders, age 82, of Faith, SD, passed away with family by his side on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the West River Health Services Hospital in Hettinger, North Dakota.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Monday, May 5, 2025, at the Harding County School Old Gymnasium in Buffalo, SD. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be held Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 2:30 pm at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis with military honors.
Arrangements are with Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche.
Sidney LuVerne “Vern” Anders was born January 27, 1943, in Rapid City, SD. His parents were Nona Mae “Peg” (Fellows) and Edgar Johnson. Vern grew up on a family ranch near Sorum, attending Stevenson Country School. Another ranch near the Moreau River was purchased in 1960, and after graduating from Buffalo High School in 1961, Vern moved there to start his own livestock operation.
Vern took a break from ranching for a time, attending Black Hills Teachers College and working at Homestake Gold Mine. In November of 1965, Vern was drafted into the U.S. Army and he served in Vietnam from June of 1966 to June of 1967. Private First Class Anders, quickly promoted to Sargeant due to his leadership qualities and ability to handle responsibilities, was an Infantryman, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cav – a member of the 1st Air Cav Division. For his service, Vern earned the following medals: Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Order of the Star of the Republic of Vietnam, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Army Good Conduct Medal, Expert (Rifle M-14) Marksmanship Badge and three Army Air Medals for outstanding performance during helicopter missions flown into hostile landing zones.
Upon returning from Vietnam, Vern moved back to the Moreau River, continuing to raise cattle, and incorporating pigs, sheep, and chickens. The cattle wintered at the River ranch and were trailed to the family’s north ranch near Sorum for summer pasturing. This thirty-eight mile move was a two-day endeavor and was a twice-a-year family event creating many wonderful memories from 1962 to 1985.
Vern was united in marriage to Linda Dutton on November 29, 1968, in Zeona, SD. To this union four children were born: William Edgar, Kristi Marie, Laura Lynn, and Douglas Jay.
On September 3, 1983, Vern was presented an Executive Proclamation for Valor by Governor William Janklow at a ceremony during the SD State Fair in Huron, SD. He was selected for this honor after risking his life to save the lives of his two youngest children seconds before the total loss of their home on Christmas Day, 1982.
Vern was a lifetime rancher. Being able to properly care for his herd drew him to a two-day veterinary workshop in Wyoming. Afterwards, he assisted many neighbors by doctoring livestock: performing c-sections, water bellies, and preg checking. He traveled a wide area spaying cattle. Vern also trained quarter horses.
Besides being an accomplished self-taught trapper which supplemented the family’s income throughout the 70’s and 80’s, lasting friendships were formed through offering deer and antelope hunts. Return visits were always looked forward to, and Vern enjoyed sharing the rural lifestyle and ways of ranching with those from other parts of the Unites States, including local country musicians The Wilt Brothers and acclaimed hunter and rock star Ted Nugent.
Living the ranch life was what Vern enjoyed most, but he was also known for grading roads. He helped maintain rural township roads for a time and helped complete several summer highway projects operating a scraper and blade for Miller Construction out of Isabel, SD. For several years, Vern ran a blade in Harding County as an employee of Tim Olson Construction, receiving many compliments on his abilities.
Vern not only served his country, he also served his community. He was a member of the Bison School Board for three years and was also a supervisor of the Beck Township. Vern was also instrumental in bringing the sport of wrestling to Faith High School.
In his free time, Vern enjoyed playing cards and was always up for a game of pinochle, cribbage or poker. Once the games began, it was a chore to convince him to quit. He would always say, “Just one more game.” Besides card games, Vern also enjoyed dancing, travelling to many local halls and even to the Hills, especially Elk Creek. Some of his children’s favorite memories are of watching their parents glide across the dance floor.
Reading was another passion, and Vern could devour a good book in just a couple days. He favored a variety of topics including US history, westerns, and true accounts of soldier’s experiences.
Fishing was one of his favorite pastimes – catfishing in the Moreau, walleye fishing in the Missouri, or fishing for bass, perch or crappie in a stock pond. Many trips were made to the Missouri River, including Oahe Reservoir, Mobridge, and Herreid/Pollock. Vern very much enjoyed a trip to the Lake of the Woods. He competed in tournaments for many years, placing 4th in 2017 in the Grand River Sports Club Walleye Tournament.
Vern adored little kids and was always trying to get their attention. One would think his gruff voice would cause them to keep their distance, but they were drawn to him. He had a soft spot for them and formed a special bond with and dearly loved the youngsters in his family.
He was known to be a bit stubborn and Vern proved it through many situations – a chain sawed fingertip, broken back, treatments for blood cancer, and bouts of pneumonia, just to name a few. The constant care from his daughter Laura and the compassionate visits from West Winds Health Service nursing staff allowed him to remain at home until February of 2025, when he agreed to move to Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon, SD, because “it was close to Shadehill.” Vern enjoyed his time there, receiving excellent care and many visits from friends and family.
Vern is survived by his children: Bill (Jennifer) of Buffalo, Kristi Anders of O’Fallon, IL, Laura Fisher (Casey Joens) of Faith, Jay (Cameo) of Sioux Falls; 10 grandchildren: Chris, Camryn, Hadley, Zack, Taylor, Joey, Caden, Ashton, Raile, Bella, Ava, Ellie; 3 great grandchildren: Willow, Delta, Kylen; a sister, Peggy Brengle of Sturgis, two brothers: John (Marilyn) Johnson of Piedmont, and Bill (Laura) Johnson of Reva, and numerous nieces and nephews.
