GOLDEN VALLEY, MN (September 15, 2017) – Retired Covenant minister Vernon Kenneth Lund died peacefully at home at Covenant Village of Golden Valley on September 13. He was ninety-one.
Vern (“Putt”) was born May 11, 1926, in Mount Vernon, Washington, to John and Elizabeth (Elde) Lund. He began his professional life as a carpenter, working in his Swedish immigrant father’s construction business, until he left for North Park College in Chicago. There he graduated from the junior college in 1949 and from North Park Theological Seminary in 1954. In subsequent years, he continued his studies at the University of Minnesota. He was ordained in 1956.
Vern and Elaine Iris Johnson were married June 16, 1950, in her home church, Maywood Covenant, in Foley, Minnesota. Together they served Nelson Covenant Church in British Columbia; Portage Park Covenant in Chicago; Grace Covenant in Stambaugh (now Iron River), Michigan; and Bethany Covenant in Richfield, Minnesota.
In 1970, Vern began work for the Baptist Hospital Fund at Midway Hospital and later at Mounds Park Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, as director of personnel and related positions. Despite this vocational shift, being a Covenant pastor remained a large part of his identity, and until very recently he continued to do pulpit supply; officiate at baptisms, weddings, and funerals; lead various classes and Bible studies; and provide countless hours of counseling and companionship. The carpenter’s blood also never left him, and family and friends (and churches) benefited throughout the years from his woodworking and construction skills.
Vern is survived by his wife, Elaine; four children, Ken (Elrene) of Madison, Wisconsin; Curt of Minneapolis, Carol Syverson of Minneapolis, and Kris Whalen (Tim) of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, September 24, at Covenant Village of Golden Valley, with visitation beginning at 1 pm. Memorials may be directed to Salem Covenant Church in New Brighton, Minnesota, 2655 Fifth St. NW, New Brighton, MN 55112, or to Covenant Village Benevolent Care Fund, 5800 St. Croix Ave. N, Golden Valley, MN 55422.
