To view a delayed stream of the service access https://bethanylutheranchurch58701.com/ and click on the “Worship Service” tab.
To view the flowers from Vern’s service, click here: Vern Erck Flowers
Vern M. Erck, 68, Minot, former longtime resident of Burlington and retired Ward County Sheriff, died Monday, July 25, 2022, in a Minot hospital.
Vern was born July 6, 1954, in Garrison, North Dakota, the youngest of six children to George and Vivian (Brown) Erck. Raised in Esmond, he graduated from Esmond High School in 1972 and then continued his education at the Bismarck Academy of Law Enforcement.
Vern’s distinguished career in law enforcement began in Bowbells where he served as Chief of Police until moving to Burlington in 1977. He served the Burlington community as Chief of Police until joining the Ward County Sheriff’s Office in 1980 as Deputy. In 1983, Vern was promoted to Second Investigator, and eight months later, to the head of the department as Lead Investigator. After attending the National FBI Academy in 1989, Vern was elected to the office of Ward County Sheriff in 1990, serving five consecutive terms until retiring in 2010. Over the course of his career, he received numerous awards and recognitions including the North Dakota Peace Officer’s Distinguished Service Award and recognition as Deputy Sheriff of the Year in 1986.
On August 23, 1980, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Minot, Vern vowed his heart to the love of his life, Julie Clark. Even though Ward County was his office, Burlington was their home and it was there they raised their two sons, Kyle and Aaron. With them, Vern shared his love of fishing and golfing, claiming the Garrison Country Club and Wildwood Golf Course as his home greens over the years. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan, and his favorite highway ride was his metallic blue 1968 Pontiac Firebird. He spent many friend-filled hours volunteering at the Ward County Historical Society’s Pioneer Village, and his envied green thumb was proudly on display in the grass at the Burlington Sports Complex.
Above everything, Vern’s heart was dedicated to his family. More recently, his roles as husband and father had taken a backseat to his new favorite job as proud grandpa, showing up as the #1 Fan for the many events that his grandchildren took part in and loving the hours he got to spend in their smiles.
His loving family includes: his wife of 41 years, Julie; his sons, Kyle (Erica) Erck, and Aaron (Brandi) Erck, both of Minot; his grandchildren Hailee (Mac) Fletcher, Boden, Averi, Harlow and Krew; his one great-grandson, Jacobi; his siblings, Frank (Viktoria) Erck of New Port Richie, Florida, Les Erck of Irving, Texas, and Pam (Mike) Humphreys of Kingston, Tennessee; his in-laws, Cindy (Keith Marshall) Strandberg, Burlington, Brenda (Al) Kunka, Gold Canyon, AZ, Randy (Jackie) Clark, Maxbass, ND, Troy (Lynn) Clark, Minot, Rhonda Clark, Colorado Springs, CO and Vicki (Bill) Finke, Wasilla, AK; as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Vern was preceded in death by: his parents, his brother, Gary, his sister, Geraldine McClean, his nephew, Fran, his mother-in-law, LaVonne Clark, his father-in-law, Herb Clark and his brother-in-law, Brent Clark.
Celebration of Life service: Monday, August 1, 2022, at 10:30am at Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot. To view a livestream of the service access https://bethanylutheran.tv/ or https://bethanylutheranchurch58701.com/
Visitation: Sunday, July 31, 2022, from 4:00pm-6:00pm at Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Peace Lutheran Church of Burlington or the Ward County Historical Society in Burlington.
