, toward the end of his service. Vern was honorably discharged with the rank of E-4, Radioman 3rd Class on June 5, 1972. While in the Navy, Vern received the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the National Defense Service Medal. He was a member of the VFW. His naval experience was a major influence in shaping the rest of his life. Vern studied under photographer, Jim Peterson, at Iowa Lakes Community College, Estherville, Iowa, and he graduated with an associate degree in photo-journalism in 1974. This launched a life-long passion for photography. His eye for detail and the wonders of nature and people are evident in his work. In 1975, he married Cindy L. Klein. The couple had two children, Lacey Jean and Collin George Schubert. Vern was employed by the Farmer's Co-op Grain Elevator in Terril, Iowa, for a number of years and at the Gingerbread House also in Terril before beginning a career with Stylecraft Furniture in Milford, Iowa, as their senior buyer and dispatcher until 1999. He then worked as a marine and auto mechanic for a time and finally as a distributor and accountant for Okoboji Wines. He was a professional freelance photographer, and during his entire working life, Vern continued his love of photography, gardening, and canning his famous dill pickles and his spicy salsa. Left to cherish Vern's memory are his two children, Lacey Dreeszen, her husband Nathan, their son, Owen Dean of Boone, Iowa; and Collin Schubert of Spirit Lake, Iowa, and his special friend, Kelly Cozza of Chicago, Illinois; and their mother, Cindy Schubert. Also left to cherish Vern's memory are one sister, Mariel Johnson and her husband, Don E. Johnson of Estherville, Iowa, as well as his nieces, Christina Johnson (Mark Remme) of Iowa City, Iowa, and Beth Johnson (Ted Powers) of Davis, California, nephew Charles Johnson of Reno, Nevada; grandnieces and grandnephew, Casey, Ayden, and Ava; and his sister-in-law, Eddie Klein, of Wenatchee, Washington. Vern was preceded in death by his parents, George T. and Etta M. Schubert.