"Sincere Sypathy, We will miss Vernon so much!"
In loving memory of
Vernon J. Biever
May 21, 1923 - October 13, 2010
Biever, Vernon J.
Vernon J. Biever, age 87 years of Port Washington, passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, October 13, 2010. Vern was born in Port Washington on May 21, 1923, son of Emil and Florence Altenbach Biever. He attended school in Port Washington at St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Port Washington High School in 1941. After graduation, he attended St. Norbert College in De Pere. After two years in college, Mr. Biever enlisted in the army, serving in the 100th Infantry Division and the 399th Anti Tank Company stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. He served in Europe during WWII. While in Europe, he served as a photographer for the divisional newspaper, which he helped initiate. After his time in service, he returned to St. Norbert College, graduating in 1948. After graduation, Vern returned to Port Washington to work with his father at the Ben Franklin store for 40 years. Vern married the love of his life, Frances “Frankie” Marsolek on October 19, 1948 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Independence, WI. In 1975, he started Biever Travel in partnership with his son Jim.
In 1941 Vernon started taking pictures of the Green Bay Packers. His award winning photography of the Packers have chronicled over six decades of football memories. His pictures have appeared in hundreds of books, magazines, TV, newspaper and advertising displays. His images decorate the walls of Lambeau Field and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. His many awards for his photography include four first place and numerous other awards at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH, including a 1984 first place award that designated him NFL Photographer of the year. He was given the Alma Mater Award by St. Norbert College in 1994, was inducted into the Port Washington High School Wall of Fame in 1996. In 2002, Vernon was given the incredible honor of being inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. He was introduced by his longtime friend, Bart Starr.
His community involvement in the Port Washington area included memberships in the Port Washington Rotary Club, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow, the Knights of Columbus and the Van Ells-Schanen American Legion Post. Vern served on the Board of Directors of the Port Washington Savings and Loan, and served as director of the Ozaukee County March of Dimes. In 2009 Vernon was given the Character Counts Award from the Port Washington Police and Fire Commission. He gave generously of his time and photographs to many charitable organizations.
Vernon is survived by his three children; Barbara (James) Farley of Peoria, AZ, John Biever of Shorewood, and Jim (Mary) Biever of Port Washington. He is further survived by four grandchildren, Megan and Sarah Farley and Amy and Mike Biever, other relatives and many, many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Frankie .
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 19th at 11 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Port Washington (MEET AT CHURCH). He will be laid to rest with full military honors next to his wife Frankie at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, October 18th from 4-8 PM at the Eernisse Funeral Home 1600 W. Grand Ave., Port Washington. In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to the Vernon and Frankie Biever Port Washington High School Scholarship Fund, c/o the Port Washington State Bank, 206 N. Franklin St., Port Washington, WI 53074. Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefunralhome.com.
A special thank you to his dedicated caregivers from Home Instead for their care and compassion.
Service:
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 19th at 11 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Port Washington (MEET AT CHURCH).
Cemetery:
St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Washington
Tributes
"Hello, Biever Family: I just caught up with the news about Vern, and want to send my belated condolences. What a nice and accomplished man. I am sorry to be out of touch, and will try to contact John. Please know our thoughts are with the family. George Vecsey"
"Our thoughts are with you at this time. I met Frankie and Vernon when I was working at Harbor Club. They were such a sweet couple. Take Care, Carol,Tom, Marydell & Marge Werking"
"Our deepest sympathy to the family of Vernon Biever. Although we have lived in "Saints" country for many years, the Green Bay Packers have always been in our hearts, especially because of the special connection with them through Vernon. He will always be fondly remembered and sadly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all always. Rose(Marsolek)Kampa and Family- New Orleans,La."
"Sincerest condolences to the family of my Sports Illustrated colleague John Biever. Dick Friedman"
"Barbara~ You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. What a legacy your father has forged--may you find comfort in knowing that his was a very well lived life. Dennis, Terri and Fran"
"Mr Biever was a role modle citizen for Port Washington. He was a person that i looked up to as a role model citizen as i attended high school. His talent in telling a story through the lense of a camera, his serivice in the military, and other organization in the city of port washington. he will truly be missed. Rest in Peace."
"May God Bless you and yours. I'm glad that you and Coach Vince are together again"
"Novy, Branden, and I wish to extend our prayers for your family. We were at the game on Sunday and saw the very touching moment after the game where the press joined Jim in the center of the field. We will remember Vernon for his very humble and respectlful approach to life. GO Packers! Mark Goeden"
"To the family of Vern especially Jim: My prayers for you, and a remembrance of Dad. I loved his presence at Mass, and valued hsi friendshop as many others. Most of all I treasure his sighned book Sincerely: Rev. Joseph H. Haas"
"My sympathy to John and Jim and your family. Be proud that Vernon's legacy is as the Patriarch of the first family of sports photography in America. Your artistry is in the genes. Rest in Peace, Vernon."
"I was so sorry to hear the announcement of Vern's death on the broadcast of the Packer Game Sunday. I think of all the road trips and late night typing and film processing in basement in Port Washington getting photos out for the Packer Report. Also the kid hospitality of Vern and Fankie during the 10 years I was editor of the Packe Report. So long Vern, it was good to know you."
"Dear Mary and Family: I am sorry for your loss. Your Father-in-law was obviously a wonderful man who touched many lives in many different ways. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Thinking of you, Karen"
"My thoughts and prayers are with your family as you mourn the loss of Vernon. I hope wonderful memories of his life will bring comfort at his passing. "
"Will be there tomorrow to pay respects to a true friend and great gentleman, who contributed so much to The Green Bay Packers and me personaly through the years. Vernon was a true pro, in both skill and character, and will be always remembered. Jon Echternacht, ex-Editor of Nitschke's Packer Report joins me in sending his regards to John, Jim and Barbara and their families. o"
"Dear Barb, John and Jim, My thoughts and prayers are with you today as you celebrate your father's life. The Biever family and Vernon's many friends and acquantiances were blessed by his wonderful spirit and zest for life. He will always be loved and remembered by all whose life he touched. "
"Vern was a great guy and always had time for us Packer fans. Thanks for making our memories hang on with you art."
"Jim & John, It was with great sadness that I learned of your father's passing. I always considered him to be one of my dearest friends in all of football. Meeting him on the sideline at the Super Bowl was always one of the highlights of my year covering the NFL. I cherish the photos you haven taken of me and your Dad at those games. Going to Lambeau Field will not be the same for me without him to greet me. I will never forget how kind and thoughtful he was to me, especially when I first met him as a young 20-something producer, who was honored to profile him on ESPN. I will also miss all those preseason phone conversations we used to have, assessing the team's prospects for the new season. He was a true gentleman. Our thoughts are with you and the rest of your family. God bless Vernon and may he rest in peace. Sincerely, Craig Mortali "
"Port Washington has lost a leading citizen. and a class act. I remember as a young boy in the late 40's, going to see his pictures of weekly Packer games that he posted in the windows of his Ben Franklin store. I will also cherish the memories of my visits with him at the Friday noon lunches..Ned L. Huwatschek Lac La Belle, Mi"
"On behalf of the Barber family I would like to extend our deepest sympathies. We are praying for the Biever family during this time. Love, Owen, Sue, Mike, Monica,Tim and Jill Barber"
"I'd like to offer my condolences during this difficult time, and let you know that I'm keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers."
"Barbara, Jim and Family, We are so saddened to hear of the loss of your father. He seemed to be a wonderful and talented man. Our sincere sympathy goes out to all of you. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Joe and Barb"
"Barbara, Jim and Family, We are so saddened to hear of the loss of your father. He seemed to be a wonderful and talented man. Our sincere sympathy goes out to all of you. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Joe and Barb"
"Vern's pictures and honors speak for themselves. What I'll remember most about him was that in 1974 when I was a rookie reporter on the Green Bay Packers' beat, he welcomed me as a colleague and couldn't have been nicer to me. And up until the last time I talked to him about a year ago that never changed. On top of all the traits that made him a great photographer, he was a great guy. My sympathies to the family."
"My deepest sympathies to Vern's family and friends. The Merrill family has always had the deepest respect for Vern. My dad spoke of him with a kind of reverence and in the early years often went to the game with him. As a member of the travel industry I had the privilege of sharing space with Vern on several fam tours and always enjoyed his company. "
"thanks vernon for the great photos they bring back alot of fond memories in packer history. you will be mist. "
"To the Family of Vern Biever, My wife, Rosann, and I send our deepest condolences. Vern held a very special place in my heart, as well as the hearts of many Green Bay Packers. He was truly a 'one man in a million' and will be very much missed."
"Dear Barbara and Family, Our sincere condolences on the loss of your dad. Jan & Mike"
"Dear Biever Family, Please accept my condolences in the loss of your dear father and grandfather. His passing is a loss to all of us in Packerland. Growing up in the 60's, all of my precious memories of time spent with my own dad (that taught a girl about football and team spirit) have been preserved. There has never been a time in my life that Vern wasn't chroniling our beloved team. He has become a part of all of us and we are so grateful for what he has done on the field and in the community. You are all in my prayers. Eternal rest grant unto him and let the perpetual light shine upon him. With sincere sympathy, Pamela Cullen Picard De Pere, WI "
"My name is Keith Carpenter,and I did not know Mr. Biever personaly. When I learned of his passing I was very saddened. I am just a Packer fan from Illinois. Mr.Biever was an exceptional photagrapher. I really enjoyed the many pictures that he took at the games. He will be greatly missed."
"I am saddened to learn of the death of a dear friend. Vernon and I had many dinners together on the road, many golf games that didn't turn out as well as we thought they might since our skill levels were less than we thought. He was a man liked by all, a friend to everyone, and a true gentleman. He is as much a part of the Packers as any player because of his great skill as a photographer. The good news is that he will live forever through those outstanding photos. I will miss him. Jim Irwin"
"My sincere condolences to the Biever family. I have enjoyed Mr. Biever's photos my whole life, being a GB Packer fan since the age of 8 and I am now 61. His pictures captured some great moments in Packer history. I will pray for his eternal rest."
"It was a pleasure meeting the legendary Vern Biever on the sidelines of Lambeau Field. He gave me his attention and had answers for me the rookie Wisconsin State Journal photographer. I left with a wonderful first impression of Vern and looked forward to return visits. He was proud of his boys and his boys were proud of him. What more could any of hope for? Sincerely, Joe Jackson"
"John, my sincerest condolences to you and the rest of the Biever family for your loss. God Bless Sherm"
"Our thoughts are with the Biever family and hope that warm memories help you through. Vernon Biever added so much to the Green Bay Packers and their legacy he can never be forgotten. Thank you, Vernon, for preserving so many great moments in Packer history!"
"My thoughts and prayers with the Biever family."
"My thoughts and condolences with the Biever family. As a friend and colleague of Vern for the last 15 years, he will be sadly missed. It was a true pleasure to say I knew him. He is a gentleman in every way and the contributions he as made to the photography profession and the NFL will live on forever. As a fellow photographer, you mention Green Bay Packers to another football photographer, more often than not the first thing that comes to mind is Vern. This man was walking history, and I will always remember him standing on the sidelines in his long tan coat, Packers stocking cap, and his brown-framed glasses, and everyone on down on the sidelines going out of their way to say "Hi" to the man who is just as much of an icon in Packer history as anyone else. Everyone knew Vern and he remembered everyone who knew him. Rest in peace Mr. Biever it has been an honor knowing and working with you"
"It was an honor and joy to have known Vern even just a little. Anytime I came into the travel agency for service or simply to visit and talk football, Vern was accessible, hospitable and genuinely friendly. Port Washington loses yet another treasure. We were blessed."
"Jim - My htoughts are with you and your family. He was a great person as well as a great photographer. It was an honor knowing him starting when we did the Ben Franklin remodeling and the many years since then. Karl Hokanson "
"To the Biever Family and Vernon's numerous friends our deepest sympathy on the passing of your father, grandfather, relative and friend. Vernon was one of my favorite people and I always looked forward to catching up with him at Packer games or at The Super Bowl where he was royalty. Vernon never had a cross word for anyone and was always the most helpful person with his vast warehouse of knowledge about virtually everything from football to travel to Catholic literature. I will miss him greatly. The Strohmyer family sends its sincere condolences and while no one can ever fill the hole in our hearts we hope that family and friends will provide the comfort that is needed to get through this difficult time. With Our Deepest Sympathy Damian Strohmeyer and Family"