Vernon Keith Hjelden

Vernon K. Hjelden April 1961, at the age of 17 years he joined the United States Army and served three years active duty and was honorably discharged in April 1964. Inducted at Fort Riley, Kansas and was handpicked to go to Fort Benning, Georgia to be trained as a Ranger. Once again picked for the 38th Special Forces attached to the 7th Air Mechanized Calvary. Served six months in Germany at the Berlin Wall and was based in Baumholder. Attached to the 11th and served at the United Nations for forty-days, served on President Kennedy’s Honor Guard at Arlington. At the age of 19, he was promoted to Specialist, he made Colonials Orderly twenty-one times and was up for Soldier of the Year. Assigned to Special Operations and trained with the Navy at Norfolk, Virginia Marines at Paris Island for Operation Swamp Fox and trained with the Air Force for Jungle Survival. Married Marjorie Ann Sargent of Fennville, Minnesota on September 4th 1965. Moved to California in 1968. Owned and operated Advanced Refrigeration from January 1970 and sold the business in September 2005. He purchased a home in Grove, Oklahoma in 2004 and after selling the refrigeration business and home in Elk Grove, California, retired and moved in November 2005 to Oklahoma. Joined the Elk Grove Elks in 1998 and was elected Exalted Ruler for the fraternal year 2001 to 2002. Served on various committees within the lodge. Served one year as Assistant Chairman for the North Central District Drug Awareness and as chairman for one year. Vern was a member of the VFW, American Legion, DAV, and Elks. His hobbies were many but the most recent were fishing, golf, traveling, and camping. In addition, if something was broken, he would tear it apart and try to find out why it didn't work. He loved helping those who needed help with something they could not repair. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Marjorie and two brothers Lloyd Hjelden and his wife Patricia, Ron Hjelden, and his wife June and two sisters, Barbara Solberg and her husband Al and Marlene Petri. Numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Isabel (Doyle) Hjelden, eight brothers and three sisters. Graveside services will be at the NEO Veterans Cemetery in Miami, Oklahoma, on Friday, October 13, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Mr. Hjelden’s Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.

Vernon Keith Hjelden

February 17, 1943 - September 24, 2023