Vernon "vern" F. Anthofer

Vernon Francis (Vern) Anthofer, of Waukee, Iowa formerly of West Des Moines, joined his Lord in Heaven on April 18, 2017 at the age of 72. He passed peacefully surrounded by family and friends. Vern joins his parents, Theresa and Michael, and his siblings Coleta Ann, Donald, Jerome, and Michael, his brother-in-law Sam Frazier, and his nephew Robert. Vern was born on March 27, 1945 in Carroll, Iowa, the youngest child of Michael and Theresa (nee Sturm) Anthofer of Coon Rapids. Following a lively and loving childhood at his family’s farm, Vern graduated from Bayard High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force. After basic training in Texas, Vern was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington and served a tour as an Airman Basic at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Vietnam. Upon his honorable discharge and return home, Vern enrolled at Drake University and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He earned his CPA and began working at Peat Marwick in Des Moines. He spent most of his career at Meredith Corporation as Director of Internal Audit. He retired in 2001, but never one to sit still for long, he continued working seasonally at Mr. Tax of America through 2015. In June 1968, at his brother Paul’s wedding, Vern met the light and love of his life, his wife, Marianne (nee Eddy). In true Vern fashion, he proposed on April Fools’ Day 1969 and they were married later that year. Vern and Marianne had three children, their son David and daughters Tanya (Joel), and Jolene and two grandchildren, Erica and Evan McClure. Vern enjoyed spending time outdoors, walking, fishing, hunting, gardening, golfing, and mushroom hunting. He kept the birds and local wildlife well fed and had the fattest squirrels in the neighborhood. He also loved shopping for more antiques than he could ever need and could never pass up a bargain. Vern was an avid reader and always kept up with current events. He had an opinion on almost everything and wasn’t afraid to share it. Vern loved to joke and have fun. He always looked forward to hearing kids tell their Beggars’ Night jokes. He was a cut-throat monopoly player and enjoyed bocce, billiards, cribbage and other card games. He loved chocolate and popcorn and chocolate and nuts and chocolate and cookies and chocolate and chocolate. Ever the romantic, he doted on his beloved wife Marianne. He provided his children and grandchildren with a strong foundation of love and support and never left them wanting. In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, Vern is survived by his sisters Gladys (Sam) Frazier and Mary (Robert) Stessman, his brothers Robert (Vicki) and Paul (Sandy) and his sisters-in-law Kay (Michael) and Kay (Jerome) as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. Visitation will be held Friday, April 21, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.; with a Mass of Christian Burial being held Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 10:00 a.m., both at Ernst Funeral Home in Waukee. A private family burial will be held at Iowa Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Mercy Hospice of Johnston or the Waukee Public Library.