 MUNDT, VERNON JULIUS Age 76, a resident of Albuquerque, passed away Thursday, October 29, 2012. He was born March 12, 1936, near Litchfield, MN. Vern grew up working on a farm where he participated in 4H events. Later he became involved in tractor pulling competitions. However, his main passion was flying. He purchased an airplane and loved giving friends and family rides. Vern joined the army where he was stationed in Germany as a surveyor. The love of flying guided Vern to enter helicopter flight school. Vern later met Dianne Pesina at a dance and after a long distance courtship were wed on September 18, 1965 in Silver Lake, MN. In 1967, Vern was stationed at White Sands Missile Range near Alamogordo where his main job was missile retrieval. After five years, Vern retired and moved to Albuquerque working as a civilian pilot. During this time, Vern flew for the police department, local television stations and several private companies. He participated in filming for movies, and flew many famous people around New Mexico. His favorite was helping with the 1987 Miss USA pageant. Vern also spent many summers in the Black Hills where he fought forest fires and reseeded damaged areas. In 1983, he joined the Army National Guard Unit in Santa Fe. He participated in Operation Desert Storm and retired with the rank of CW4. In the last several years, Vern volunteered at the VA hospital. He was also a member of the American Legion Honor Guard and assisted at numerous funerals playing Taps on the bugle. He greatly enjoyed being around his grandkids and liked to spoil them just a bit. He is survived by his sons, Craig (Tina Drennan) of Edmonds, WA and Troy (Christine) of North Liberty, IA; two grandchildren, Tyler and Rachel; and sister, Linda of Litchfield, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife. Vern was very proud of serving his country and will be missed by all who knew him. Friends may visit Sunday, November 4, 2012 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Wyoming. Mass will be held Monday, November 5, 2012, 8:30 a.m., at Our Lady of Annunciation Parish, 2621 Vermont St. NE, in Albuquerque. Interment will take place Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 2:15 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Please visit our online guestbook for Vern at www.FrenchFunerals.com FRENCH 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
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