Vernon Steilen age 86, of Alexandria, SD died Sunday, February 5, 2017 at Diamond Care Center in Bridgewater, SD. Visitation will be 6 to 8 PM Thursday, February 9, 2017 at St. Mary of Mercy Catholic Church in Alexandria with a prayer service and rosary beginning at 7:00 PM. Mass of Christian burial will be 1:00 PM Friday at St. Mary of Mercy Catholic Church in Alexandria with Fr. Dana Christensen officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary of Mercy Cemetery with military rites.

Vernon William Steilen was born October 7, 1930 on a farmstead south of Farmer, SD to Joseph and Louisa (Kass) Steilen. He attended St. Peter's Catholic School in Farmer, SD. Vernon farmed with his father until enlisting in the U.S. Army from January of 1952 to December of 1953 and served in the Korean War. He returned home and farmed north of Alexandria, SD. On September 18, 1970 he married Dorothy Heiter they continued to farm until they retired and moved in Alexandria in 1998.

Vernon was a member of St. Mary of Mercy Catholic Church and a proud 63 year member of the American Legion.

Grateful for sharing his life are his sisters Sister Lenore Steilen OSF and Sister Leona Steilen OSF of St. Francis, WI, Marlys Schlimgen of Hot Springs, AR and Lenore Stainbrook of Rapid City, SD; step daughters Kay (Jon) Smith of Alexandria, SD and Jeanne (Gary) Heineman of Clark, SD; nieces, nephews, step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Joe and Ron Steilen; sisters Elverda Skalos, Lorena Phillips and Irma Ozanne; nephew Larry Steilen; nieces Vicky (Schlimigen) Wyatt and Janice (Phillips) Alderman.

Special thanks to the home health nurses and to the nurses and patient care workers at Diamond Care Center, Bridgewater, SD. A very special thank you to Vernon's guardian angels here on earth David and Sandy Kayser for their love and care of Vernon these last few years.