Vern Stevick, 87, lifelong Des Lacs area farmer and rancher died Friday, Aug. 28, 2020.

Vern was the only child of Carver and Mabel (Swensrud) Stevick and was born Sept. 7, 1932 at Trinity Hospital in Minot.  He was raised on the family farm one mile south of Des Lacs.

He got an early start in the livestock business by raising and selling ducks. He saved his money and bought his first Angus heifer in 1946.

Vern met the love of his life, Donna Gjerde, at a 4-H event in 1952 and they married on March 29, 1954.  That date was also his parents' anniversary. They made their first land purchase in 1958 and continued to expand over the years.

Vern, like many others, acquired his life-long love of cattle through participation in the 4-H program.  He fed Angus steers and bought registered Angus heifers as finances allowed. From that humble beginning, he built up a solid group of registered Angus cows, from which the world-renowned herd sire, QAS Traveler 23-4 emerged. Traveler is one of the most widely use sires in the history of the breed.

While farming and raising cattle, Vern often worked off the farm as well, but always in an agricultural-related business. He was a writer and fieldman for the Western Livestock Journal, spending many days on the road. He was also a livestock buyer for Harrington Bros. Livestock Auction.

He later served as the manager of the North Dakota State Fair from 1971-1976 and was instrumental in the building of the All Seasons Arena and FFA building on the fairgrounds.  He was also manager of the Brandon (MB) Provincial Exposition from 1980-81.  He was livestock manager for the KMOT-TV Ag-Expo from 1986-1995. He was proud of his involvement with Ag in the Classroom and he and Donna took a small calf named Sweet Pea to many area schools.

Throughout the years, he had been active in many organizations, including the North Dakota Angus Association, the American Angus Association, North Dakota Farm Bureau, North Dakota Farmers Union, Farmers Home Administration, Des Lacs Farmer's Elevator, North Dakota Winter Show Livestock committee, Minot Chamber of Commerce State Fair and Livestock committees, Third District and Northwest Region Republican Party, a township supervisor, cemetery sexton, Des Lacs Fire Department, North Prairie Rural Water Association, Northwest Historical Society, the North Dakota Stockmen's Association, the Ward County Tool Chest and the Des Lacs United Methodist Church.

While secretary for the ND Angus Association, from 1968-1980, he helped to initiate sales and events that are still in existence.

He was named Agriculturalist of the Year by the North Dakota State University, Saddle and Sirloin Club in 2000. In honoring him for his work in the cattle industry, he was praised as "one of those rare individuals who is both a doer and a dreamer. Furthermore, he has an unbelievable combination of vision, work ethic and good old-fashioned common sense.  In addition to helping the current generation of young farmers and ranchers to get headed in the right direction, Vern has also made it a point to make sure that the next generation of our nation's agricultural leaders are learning at an early age."

A Celebration of Life will be held for Vern and Donna in the summer of 2021. Details will follow.

He is survived by his two children, Quentin (Anne) Stevick, Pincher Creek, AB, and Coreen (Kirby) Ball, Chatham, IL, one step grandson, Bryce Ball, Springfield IL and his beloved cat, Tina.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Donna, who passed on Feb. 21, 2020, great-grand parents, parents and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A Visitation and book signing will be held Thursday, September 3, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials in Vern Stevick's memory may be gifted to the foundation at the Des Lacs United Methodist Church or to a charity of the donors' choice.

Vern Stevick Flowers