Vern A. Suhr, 69, of West Bend, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in West Bend.

Vern was born on Sept. 25, 1940, to the late Arnold and Esther (nee Matzner) Suhr in Gresham, Neb. He was raised on his family’s rural farm and graduated from high school in Columbus, Neb. Shortly after high school, Vern enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois. While in the Navy, Vern enjoyed traveling to many different ports including Hawaii and Japan. Following his service in the Navy, Vern worked a variety of jobs before starting his own real estate and appraisal business called Suhr Realty Inc. and Accu-Pro Appraisals Inc. in Milwaukee.

On Feb. 11, 1976, Vern was united in marriage to Betty Strackbein Durian in Milwaukee. Together they enjoyed operating their family businesses, traveling and spending time raising emus on their hobby farm in West Bend. In his later years, Vern loved nothing more than being around his grandchildren. He was a longtime member of the Fredonia Lion’s Club and was a member of the Wisconsin Emu Association, the Wisconsin Realtors Association and the Wisconsin Apartment Association.

Vern is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Betty; his four daughters, Kristin (Tony) Perkins of Northglenn, Colo., Lori (Dave) Crain of Belen, N.M., Cheri (Gary) Haire of Fort Worth, Texas, and Tami (Dean) Berglund of Rio Rancho, N.M.; his three step-sons, Scott (Chris) Durian of Athelstane, Brian (Brenda) Durian of West Bend and Michael (Sherry) Durian of West Bend; and his 19 grandchildren, Anthony (Janessa), Leah, Joshua, Cederro, and Tawny Perkins, Aubri and Timothy Crain, Ryan and Shaylah Haire, Tyler and Tevin Berglund, Hunter, Peter, Nicholas, Daniel, Jacob, Brandon, and Cody Durian and Bailee Schmidt. He is further survived by his brother-in-law, Harvey (Fran) Strackbein; nieces, nephews, many other dear relatives and close friends.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Esther Suhr; his stepson, Mark Durian; and his brother, Curtis.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. at the Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home in West Bend. The Rev. Luke Emrich of New Life Church will officiate. Visitation will be held on Thursday at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until the time of service. Burial will be on Friday, Sept. 17, at 11 a.m. at Wisconsin Memorial Park in Brookfield.

Online guest book and condolences may be found at www.myrhumpatten.com.