Vern M. "Joe" Bien, 91, of Eau Claire, died on Sunday, June 24, 2018, at Mayo Clinic Health System-Eau Claire, surrounded in the love and prayer of his family. He was born on November 30, 1926, in Durand, WI, to Joseph and Gertrude (Wilson) Bien. They moved to the Pepin and Stockholm area, where he attended grade school and later returned to the Durand area where he was a student at St. Mary's Catholic School and graduated from Durand High School in June 1944. Vern joined the U.S. Navy in October 1944, with boot camp at Great Lakes. He then attended schools at Norman, OK, and Jacksonville, FL. Vern was stationed in Pasco and Whitby Island, WA, and later at Adak, AK. He was discharged from the Navy in October 1947. On April 14, 1951, he married Dorothy Kulig, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Eau Claire. Vern operated a gas station in Eau Claire from 1949 to 1969, then worked for Sears in the automotive department before retiring from the Eau Claire Board of Education, as a custodian at Central Junior High and Randall Elementary in May 1991. Vern very much enjoyed fishing, watching the Packers, boxing, playing ping pong, and cards. Vern is survived by his daughter, Julie (Alan) Rauch of Princeton, NJ, and their children, Rebecca (Ben) Hart, Benjamin (Melissa), and Sarah; son, Jeffrey (Heather) of Loves Park, IL, and his daughters, Johnna (Matt) Melton and Julianne; son, Joe of Bastrop, TX and his son, Jason (Emily); son, David (Marjorie) of Verona, WI, and their daughters, Carly (Zac) Leider and Christie (Antwane) Thompson; son, Andy (Betty) of Mesa, AZ, and their daughter, Ashley. Also surviving are seven great-grandchildren, London and Aaron Bien, Owen Melton, Mahlia and Zaia Thompson, Jackson and Alexander Leider; sister-in-law, Irene Kulig; many nieces and nephews, and many special friends. Vern's family was very important to him, he will be missed by all. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; parents; granddaughter, Jaclyn Bien; and two brothers, Joseph Jr. and Chester (Anna Marie) Bien; three brothers-in-law, Eugene and Allen Kulig, and Peter (Irene) Graziano; nephew, Eugene "Chip" Kulig; and a grand-niece, Mirra Dahn. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, July 2, 2018, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1712 Highland Ave., Eau Claire, with Fr. John Schultz officiating. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will be at Rest Haven Cemetery, Town of Washington. Military Honors will be conducted by American Legion Post 53. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church or Sacred Heart Hospital Chapel.

Service Information

Cemetery

Rest Haven Cemetery 5750 Old Town Hall Rd Washington WI 54701

Visitation

Monday, July 2 2018 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 1712 Highland Avenue Eau Claire WI 54701

Mass

Monday, July 2 2018 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 1712 Highland Avenue Eau Claire WI 54701