Vernon Odell Palm
 December 30, 2024

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NancySand

Vernon Odell Palm January 3, 1937 – December 30, 2024

Vernon Odell Palm January 3, 1937 – December 30, 2024   Vernon (Vern) Odell Palm, 87, of Golden Valley, MN (and formerly Prior Lake, MN), passed away on December 30, 2024, peacefully at The Moments Assisted Living in Lakeville, MN, from Alzheimer's. Vern was born in Roseau, MN, on January 3, 1937, to Petrus and Alice Palm.   As a youth, Vern was adventurous, which continued throughout his life. In fact, in his memoir, he mentioned twelve near-death experiences. Vern was a great writer and was able to bring his memories to life. Vern attended Roseau High School (RHS) but decided that school was not for him. He left school in October 1954 to join the Navy. He spoke highly of his three years in the Navy aboard the U.S.S. Walton. Later, he obtained a GED and was included in the Class of '55. He was also proud to be from Roseau and RHS.   After the Navy, Vern attended Dunwoody Institute to become a draftsman. He was a draftsman and surveyor for Skelly Oil Company (1962 to 1972) and B. Dalton Bookseller (1972 to 1987) as construction coordinator. Both of which required weekly travel from home. Vern moved to Collegeville, Maryland, in 1987 after being laid off from B. Dalton when Barnes & Noble purchased them. This move started him to be able to expand his love of sailing. While living on the East Coast, the sailboat became their home. They took trips down the waterway up and down the coast and had an extended work hiatus to travel to the Bahamas for four months.   Vern was married to Lorena Palm (1960-1981), Kay Stivland Palm (1983-2013), and Lorelei Swan (2019 until she passed in 2021).   After retirement, Vern continued his love of sailing, skiing, gardening, traveling, biking, camping, hunting, volunteering, and home projects. Vern was the type of person who would choose to repair something over buying new. He was a member of ULLR Ski Club. Volunteered often for Habitat for Humanity.   Vern was preceded in death by his parents, Petrus & Alice; siblings, Mildred, Floyd, and Betty, and previous wives, Kay Stivland and Lorelei Swan.   Vern is survived by children, Renee (Dean) Thompson, Steve (Martha) Palm; stepchildren, Todd (Sarah) Stivland, Tim Stivland, and Darcy (Michael) Stivland; and 11 grandchildren. Also survived by Lorena Palm.   Celebration of Life will occur on January 17th from 1-4pm at VFW at 16306 Main Ave SE, Prior Lake, MN. Burial of ashes will take place in July 2025 at Palmville Cemetery in Palmville Township, MN.