Verne J. Hejlik

 Verne J. Hejlik, 89, of Garner, passed away Thursday, November 7, 2024, at his home surrounded by family. He was recently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia while in Arizona and his wish to be home was fulfilled by riding home on a medical jet flight.

 A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 16, 2024, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner with Rev. Fr. Andrew Marr officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

To view his service please click the following ink:  Verne Hejlik Funeral Mass

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, November 15th at Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. 4th St., in Garner with a Scriptural wake service at 4:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

 Verne Joseph Hejlik, the son of Anton and Rosetta (Phillips) Hejlik, was born on August 27, 1935, on the family farm northwest of Garner. He attended Garfield No. 5 Country School and graduated from Garner High School in 1954. Verne served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1954 to 1960. On October 15, 1955, he married Delores Mar Peterson ‘Punky’ at St. James Catholic Church in Forest City. They made their home in Garner where they raised their five children. Verne was employed at Howie Implement, Kerns Implement, Zrostlik Tire Service, and CF Industries before operating his business, Hejlik Auto Body, selling and working on cars. His shop was a popular place for family and friends to gather. He enjoyed his family and their large gatherings; and grandchildren (and greats) were his pride and joy. For Verne, family, faith, and church were a priority throughout his life. Verne and Delores enjoyed almost 58 years of marriage before Delores passed away from cancer in 2013.

 In earlier years Verne especially enjoyed camping with his young family almost every summer weekend, snowmobiling with them during the winters, hunting in Wyoming (as well as locally), and motorcycling across the country. Verne and Delores began enjoying winters in Arizona in 1994, making new friends, traveling throughout the Southwest and into Mexico, going to flea markets, and spending time with other North Iowa snowbirds. Over the past several years, he enjoyed spending summers in Iowa and winters in Arizona with his companion, Beverly. In Garner, Verne enjoyed time with his family, and he always looked forward to annual class reunions to visit with his classmates. He could be frequently spotted scoping out Garner in his little yellow truck. While in Arizona with Beverly, Verne enjoyed his friends, neighbors, and activities at Valley Palms Mobile Home Park where one of his favorite activities was playing pool. In 2023 he was proud to have earned the title of the park’s pool league champion.

 He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church where he served in the funeral choir. He was also a past member of the Garner Lions Club.

 Verne is survived by his four children, Deb (Jim) Rygh of Lake Mills, Susie (Butch) Kozisek of Ventura, Tim (Sharon) Hejlik of Garner and Tony (Melany) Hejlik of Garner; son-in-law, Rod (Barb) Dodd of Garner; 14 grandchildren, Michael (Lisa) Rygh, David (Margaret) Rygh, Travis (Tiffany) Dodd, Corey (Emily) Dodd, Brad (Casi) Kozisek, Ashley (Jay) Larkin, Chelsey (Tom) Cozad, Richie (Hannah) Kozisek, Lincoln (Lyndi) Harms, Lance (Alicia) Hejlik, Lucas (Taylor) Hejlik, Justine (Brad) McGrath, Jessica (Wyatt) Wood and Jamie Hejlik; 30 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; special companion, Beverly Dietrich and her family; sister-in-law, Doris (Harley) Harms of Buffalo Center; and many nieces and nephews.

 He was preceded in death by his parents; Anton and Rosetta Hejlik, wife, Delores; daughter, Cindy Dodd; son-in-law, Richard Fisher; sister, Marjorie (Bud) Savage; an infant brother, Donald; and brothers, Art (Betty) Hejlik and Harold Hejlik.