Vernold Derichs

Vernold J. Derichs, age 79 of Cottage Grove, passed away June 8, 2017 at White Pines Assisted Living in Cottage Grove.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am, Thursday, June 15, 2017 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 920 Holley Avenue, St. Paul Park. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00-8:00 pm at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 -80th Street S., Cottage Grove and also on Thursday starting at 10 am until the service at church. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Vernold John Derichs was born March 12, 1938 in Richmond, Minnesota to Joseph and Helena (Schafer) Derichs. He grew up in Roscoe, Minnesota and actively helped on the family farm until moving to the South St. Paul where he worked for Armour and Company until 1979. He met Diane Herges at a dance in Richmond and they were married on August 10, 1968 in St. Martin. They purchased their home in Cottage Grove where they raised their family. Vernold was a "jack of all trades" and his resume included butcher, maintenance man, bus driver and cemetery caretaker. His prized possession was his lawn tractor and he also enjoyed woodworking, going to their lake place near Richmond, fishing, hunting and old tyme dancing.

Vernold is survived by his wife of 48 years, Diane; daughters Darla (Anthony) Sanders and Cindy Smith; grandchildren Miguel, Brenda, Chris and Amanda Sanders; brothers Victor and Elgin (Irene); sisters Florine Doll and Jeanette (Maynard) Walz. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Helena; sister-in-law Margaret Derichs; nephew Brian Walz and brother-in-law Virgil Doll.