Vernon Vollum Sr.

Vernon Duane Vollum Sr., 81, died on August 6th, 2025, at his home in Saco MT.  Vernon was born in Williston ND on August 26, 1943, to Violet (Vollum) Lee. The first of seven children, he was raised in Williston. Vernon married Mary Louise Engen in Cartwright, ND on July 6, 1963.  To this union three children were born: Sheila, Sharon and Vernon Jr.

Vernon wore many hats in his lifetime including jobs with Department of transportation, railroad, Great Falls smelter, certified welder, heavy equipment operator, over the road trucking and construction. Due to the transitory nature of his work, they lived in numerous locations including, Williston ND, Honolulu HI, Phoenix AZ, Great Falls, Wibaux, Livingston, Malta and Saco MT where they made their final home. Vernon and Mary were active in the Jaycees in Malta, where he participated in Demolition derbies and curling tournaments.  In his younger years Vern rodeoed (Bare Back), played pool and while in school in Mandan, made a marionette that he displayed on television.  Vernon was an animal lover and always had a pet.  He and Mary had a small hobby farm where they raised bum calves, sheep, pigs and chickens along with trying his hand at potato farming.  He was an avid reader and watcher of old westerns.  He loved a good whiskey and a sweet treat.

After retiring Vernon spent much of his free time constructing windmills, wishing wells, and picnic tables which were sold or given to family members. 

Vernon is survived by his children, daughters Sheila (Levi) Doll,  Sharon (Allen (Kip)) Young and Vernon Jr., grandchildren Lesley (Jay) Larson, Nathan (LouVon) Doll,  Trinity Young, Nicole (Jameson) Fercho,  Allen (Jasmine) Young, Jesse (Kayla) Young, Vernon (Taylor) Vollum III, and Vanessa Vollum,  great-grandchildren Violet and Liberty Larson, Sophia Doll and Venorium Plante,  Ryder, Renzey, Raegyn, and Rivyr Raymond, Jaydon, Jourdyn, Jenyr, Journeigh and Jalaine Fercho, Kaelyn, Kinley and Kruz Young, Beckett and Zander Young, Viola Vollum and Kyle Harley.  His brothers Joseph (Diana) Lee and Kermit (Wanda) Lee and sisters in law Evelyn Falkenhagen, Glenda Engen and Shirley Engen, numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, great granddaughter Remy Raymond, his mother Violet Lee and stepfather Kermit, In-laws Alf and Phyllis Engen, sisters Terry Lou Slater, Carol Ann Lee, Barbara Lee and Brother Jerry Lee and his brothers in law Robert Engen, Harold Engen and Dave Falkenhagen, three nieces and a nephew.

Funeral service will be held at Wilderness Funeral Home in Malta on Saturday August 16th at 1:00 PM, with luncheon to follow at the Malta Event Center (Old Armory 1008 US hwy 191).

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