January 31, 2013
LaVern Toone Brown

Aug. 10, 1924 – Jan. 30, 2013

Vern Brown, 88, passed away Jan. 30 from natural causes incident to age. Vern was born Aug. 10, 1924 in Grantsville to Joseph Leishman and Mary Toone Brown. Vern was the sixth of nine children. He is survived by one sister, Gayle Buckwalter. Vern graduated from Grantsville High School in 1942. He joined the Navy in 1943 and met his wife to be, Alda Marie Phister, in Oakland, Calif., at a U.S.O. dance. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on Jan. 24, 1945. Vern served a mission to the New England states during the first years of their marriage. Vern and Alda were blessed with 10 children: Larry (Elizabeth Low), Jeffrey (Gloria Revill), Randall (Cheryl Williams), Roger (Carol Ann Hinds), Darlene (Richard Lamplugh), Darrell (Holly Anderson), Loren (Danell Paskett), Kevin (Kim Early), April (Brett Wallace) and Sheryl (Alan Walker). Alda passed away Oct. 17, 1987 from cancer. Just prior to her passing, Vern and Alda served a mission to Birmingham, Ala. He married LaRue Hale Soelberg on Oct. 14, 1989. Vern loved LaRue’s eight children: Jean Didericksen (Paul), Carol Jefferies (David), Scott Soelberg (Shelly), Jay Soelberg (Julee), Laurie Green (David), Kaye Stice (Jim), Lisa Droubay (Mark) and Mark Soelberg (Allison). Together, they loved each other’s family in amazing ways. Their combined posterity is now more than 200 and growing. Vern and LaRue served missions to New York City and Sidney, Australia. He worked in sales most of his life, primarily at Granite Furniture. He loved to meet and greet people. Vern was called to be bishop of the Liberty 2nd Ward in 1958 at the age of 34. Vern had a special love for missionary work as evident in the four missions he served during his lifetime. Vern’s parting message to his family is: “I love you and I’m so proud of you. You are my greatest blessing.” Services will be held at the Orem Park 4th Ward, 725 W. Center St. in Orem, on Feb. 4. The funeral will begin at 11 a.m. and there will be a viewing at 9 a.m. prior to the service. Interment at the Larkin Sunset Lawn at 2350 E. 1300 South in Salt Lake City. Services entrusted with Didericksen Memorial, 277-0050.