Vern Leroy Lightfoot was born on April 5, 1923 in the Locust Grove Township, the son of Lee and Hattie (Livingston) Lightfoot. Vern entered into the arms of the Lord on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at the Bellevue Medical Center.
Vern attended school in Farragut and graduated from Farragut High School with the Class of 1941. He was united in marriage to Mary Laughlin on February 2, 1948 in the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Imogene, Iowa. The couple raised their family in the Walnut Township. Farming was his lifelong passion. He also raised hogs and cattle.
Vern was very active in the community. He was a 35 year member on the FSA County Committee and a member of Farm Bureau. He was a former member of the Farragut School Board where he served from 1972--1981, serving as President from 1976 to 1978. He was a 60 year member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church where he served as a church usher for numerous years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus for 62 years. Vern continued his service to Walnut Township by serving as a Trustee since 1952 and also served on the Fremont County Fairboard. Back in the early 1980's Vern and Mary were featured as WOWT's Farm Family of the Week. In August of 2010, Vern and Mary were inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame at the Iowa State Fair. What a great honor, for such a deserving couple. Vern and Mary also enjoyed traveling. The couple enjoyed their travels into Canada and managed to see 43 out of 50 of the states in America. What a marvelous accomplishment.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; brothers Elmer Lightfoot and Sherman "Hap" Lightfoot; sister Mabel Rea, Lois Anderzhon and Ruth Rima; and a grandson Kevin Frank.
Those left to honor his memory include his beloved wife Mary of 62 years; children Rita Frank and husband Larry of Lake City, IA, Janet Hare and husband Richard of Hollister, MO, Robert Lightfoot and wife Kathy of Shenandoah, IA and Theresa Rowan and husband Kurt of Bedford, IA; grandchildren Amy Rueber and husband Chris of Hudson, IA, Brian Frank and wife Natalie of Leawood, KS, Eric Frank of Carroll, IA, Erin Frank of Hampton, IA, Todd Hare of Pasadena, CA, Tom Hare and wife Elizabeth of Washington, D.C., Ryan Hare, Trisha Lightfoot and Megan Lightfoot all of Omaha, NE; Troy Rowan and Kyle Rowan both of Bedford, IA; 3 great-grandchildren; a sister Margie Anderson of Tabor, IA; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends.