Vern Allen Thurneau

Vernon A. Thurneau passed into the next life on August 7, 2023, with family by his side at his home in Wasilla, Alaska. He had a long and healthy life until the complications of Parkinsons and old age took its toll.

Vern was born in Chicago on September 15, 1935. He married his wife, Carol on June 2, 1956. In 1961 he, his wife and two small children moved to Alaska for the wide-open spaces and the hunting and fishing. He built a cabin on five acres in Tok and lived there with their growing family for twenty-six years, living largely off the game he harvested. Vern had to a spend many months away from home every year working to support his family. Vern and Carol became empty nesters in 1984 and moved to Fairbanks where Vern could work close to home. After 28 years in Fairbanks, they moved to Wasilla to get out of the cold weather where Vern lived until his passing.

He loved hunting and halibut fishing with his family. He liked to reload and was a great marksman. He was a good trapper in the early days, catching as many as 60 lynx and a large variety of other animals in a single season using only snowshoes.

Vern was a well-respected construction superintendent known for his vast knowledge, and a member of the Carpenters Local 1243 for 65 years. He really enjoyed his work and was a tough but fair boss.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Carol, daughters Cindy Bergstrom (Dave) and Charlotte Deese (Jeff); sons Steve Thurneau (Laura) and Greg Thurneau (Candy); grandchildren Justin Bergstrom (Susann), Camrin Knudsen (Brandon), Zach Thurneau (Molly), Amy Young (Nick), Joe Thurneau, Alisha Charlo (Mo), Natasha Northway (Michael), Danielle Weisz (Andrew), Annaliese Thurneau, and 14 great grandchildren.

In keeping with his adventurous spirit, Vern will be buried at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery with a grand view of the mountains that he loved so much.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in memory of Vern.