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In Memory

In Memory of Vern Kiesau

November 26, 1924 - November 23, 1997

Mr. Vern Kiesau was born on Wednesday, November 26, 1924 in Fort Morgan, Colorado, the son of Gustav and Anna (Kliewer) Kiesau. He passed away on Sunday, November 23, 1997 in Oklahoma City at the age of 72. Vern was reared and received his education in Corn, Oklahoma graduating from Corn High School in 1943. Vern came to Clinton, Oklahoma following graduation and joined the Kern & Schneider Funeral Home.

Vern was united in marriage to Zerita “Tommye” Thompson in Clinton, Oklahoma on May 12, 1946. In 1947, Vern graduated from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in Dallas, Texas. He returned to Clinton and continued working at the funeral home, purchasing a one-third interest in 1952. In 1968, Vern purchased Leo Schneider’s interest of the firm and at the death of Elgin Kern, in 1970, he purchased the remaining one-third interest from the Kern estate making he and his wife, Zerita, the sole owners of the Kern-Schneider-Kiesau Funeral Home. In 1972, the funeral home was moved from its downtown Clinton location to a brand new facility located at 2500 West Modelle Avenue where it remains today.

Vern was active in many local organizations, including the Clinton Noon Lions Club, where he was a charter member, past president and the recipient of the 50-year pin. Vern also served as President of the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association and was recognized for his 50-year membership and contribution to the association before his death. He was also a 50-year member of the Travelers Protection Association and was a member of the Corn Alumni Association. Vern also served on the board and was a past president of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce. He also served as a member of the Clinton Industrial Foundation. Vern was also a member of the Clinton Masonic Lodge #339 AF&AM and was a member and regional director for the International Order of the Golden Rule. He was also a board member for the Clinton Hospital Trust Foundation. Vern also served as president of the Clinton Red Tornadoes Football Booster Club and a member of the Rollin’ Okies Chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association. Vern was also an active member of the First Baptist Church of Clinton.

 

 

In Memory of Zerita “Tommye” Kiesau

September 19, 1925 – February 11, 2020

Zerita “Tommye” (Thompson) Kiesau was born September 19, 1925 in Eagle City, Oklahoma,

the daughter of Arthur and Ollie Thompson. She passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 in Clinton, Oklahoma at the age of 94.  Zerita was raised in Eagle City and the Barnitz Creek area and graduated from Butler High school in 1943.  She continued her education at the Western Oklahoma School of Nursing. 

Zerita married Vern Kiesau on May 12, 1946 in Clinton, Oklahoma.  She worked as a registered nurse in the former Oklahoma General Hospital and was an office nurse for several years before working alongside her husband, Vern, as owners of the Kern-Schneider-Kiesau Funeral Home. 

The Kiesau’s were members of the First Baptist Church and Zerita was active in the Clinton Community volunteering her time with the Junior Service League, the Merry Matrons Club, and various other organizations. She enjoyed traveling with Vern in the RV, working, and visiting with family and friends.

 

Vern and Zerita raised two sons, Tom Kiesau, who resides in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and the late Randy Kiesau.

 

 

In Memory of Randy Kiesau

May 31, 1950 - October 2, 1970

Randy Kiesau was born on Wednesday, May 31, 1950 in Clinton, Oklahoma to Vern and Zerita Kiesau. He attended Clinton Public Schools, graduating from Clinton High School in 1968. After graduation, Randy attended Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas on a four-year football scholarship. He passed away on Friday, October 2, 1970 in the Colorado Rockies, eight miles west of Silver Plume, Colorado when a chartered Martin 4-0-4 airplane crashed into a mountain. Randy and the Wichita State University football team was traveling to Utah State University in Logan, Utah to face the Aggies in a Saturday afternoon football game.

Randy loved athletics. His father, Vern, was quoted saying that “Athletics were Randy’s life.” “Randy’s first achievement was winning a blue ribbon while running in the junior Olympic dashes his first year in school, “ Vern continued. Randy’s football career began in the sixth grade when he was a member of the pee wee team. Randy was also a member of the Clinton Championship Football team for three years. His jersey number was 22.

His older brother, Tom, still resides in Oklahoma.

1995: ‘What a beautiful place to die’

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Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home
Phone: (580) 323-1212
2500 W. Modelle Ave., Clinton, OK 73601

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