LuVerne "Vern" T. Gulden, 56, of Eau Claire died Saturday, January 29, 2005, at Luther Hospital following a brief illness. He was born in New Ulm, Minnesota on December 4, 1948, the son of Jim and Lorraine (Waibel) Gulden. Vern graduated from New Ulm High School with the class of 1966 and served three years in the Army National Guard. \r\nVern married Mary A. Halama in Independence, Wisconsin on October 21, 1972. Together they had two children. Vern spent much of his career in the plumbing and heating wholesale business, as a salesman and later in management. Ten years ago he fulfilled a dream to start his own business, and has since run the Clearwater Car Wash. He was a golfer, card shark, avid reader, and enjoyed traveling. A man of few words, he had a sharp mind, wry sense of humor, generous heart, sense of fair play, and prided himself on being able to provide opportunities for his family.\r\nHe was the beloved husband of Mary and devoted father of James of Eau Claire and Cheryl (Jeremy) Duffield of Boston, MA. He is also survived by his mother Lorraine of New Ulm, MN; three brothers, Marvin (Denise) of Eau Claire, Paul (Nancy) of Placentia, CA, and Jeff (Lisa) of New Ulm, MN; five sisters, Rosie (Jerry) Cordes, Karen (Dave) Christiansen, Gayle (Tom) Schaefer, Lois (Mike) Bode, all of New Ulm, MN, and Karla (Junior) Watkins of Rock Dam; mother-in-law, Helen Halama of Whitehall; three brothers-in-law, two sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. \r\nVern was the oldest of ten children, preceded in death by his father Jim and his brother Lyle.\r\nA memorial celebration of Vern's life will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 2, 2005, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home with Sister Catherine Manning officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. until the time of services Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, in Searles, Minnesota at a later date.\r\n

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