Vernon L. Dahlheimer, 86, St. Cloud

August 9, 1928 - June 10, 2015

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Monday, June 15, 2015 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud for Vernon L. Dahlheimer, who died Wednesday at St. Benedict’s Senior Community. The Rev. Tony Oelrich will officiate and burial will be in St. John the Baptist Parish Cemetery in Dayton. Friends and relatives may call after 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Cathedral Church in St. Cloud. Arrangements by Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, St. Cloud.

Vernon was born in Dayton to Leonard & Aurelia (Lenz) Dahlheimer. Following high school at Nazareth Hall, his studies continued at the St. Paul Seminary and at the North American College in Rome. Vern helped begin the original Foster Grandparent Program in the United States in 1965 at the St. Cloud Children’s Home and was its director for 16 years under the auspices of Catholic Charities. He loved music; he was a long time member of St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish and its adult choir. Vern was interested in establishing a competent herd of Golden Guernsey s on the family farm, as well as promoting the history of the Dahlheimer family. Vern valued social justice issues and social concerns. He was an executive board member of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition. He was very generous and contributed to numerous charities.

Letter to the President:

“We ask that you might move those of greater wealth to be willing to meet the needs of our people who are struggling in our weak economies."

Survivors include his brother, Fr. Ronald Dahlheimer of Northfield, MN and sister, Sr. Corrine Dahlheimer, SSND of Coon Rapids; sister-in-laws, Bernadine and Alverna; many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Lauren and Louis; and a niece, Ann Foley.

Special thanks to the St. Benedicts Senior Community Care Center in St. Cloud and St. Croix Hospice for their loving care.