Cover photo for Vernon Maxa's Obituary
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1938 Vernon 2018

Vernon Maxa

July 8, 1938 — October 17, 2018

Reverend Vernon Maxa, age 85, of Brainerd died peacefully on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at Good Samaritan Society – Bethany Village. Vern was born at home on July 8, 1933 in Seaforth, MN to Ed and Alvina Maxa. He graduated from Wabasso, MN high school in 1951, St. Paul Bible College in 1955, Macalester College in 1959 and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, IA in 1962. He was ordained to ministry in Presbyterian Church USA June, 1962 in First Presbyterian Church, Foley, MN. Vern married Marilyn Joy Warring on January 14, 1956 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. In the following years four children were added to the family.

Vern’s ministry began in college and seminary. Following ordination, he served Angus-Tabor Euclid and Keywest Presbyterian churches in Northwest, MN. In 1967 he commenced his journey of 30 years in Clinical Pastoral Education in Jamestown, ND, Presbyterian Hospital Ministry in Rochester, MN and at University of Virginal Medical Center in Charlottesville where he became a Chaplain Supervisor and Asst. Professor in the Medical School. During this time, he was an interim pastor at Meadows Presbyterian Church and other area churches. In 1991 Vern established a CPE training center in Billings, MT where he trained many pastors and Catholic Lay ministers. Upon retirement in Brainerd, MN he served as part-time chaplain at St. Joseph’s Medical Center and volunteer chaplain at Good Samaritan Society – Woodland Village. He also served as an interim pastor at Crosslake Presbyterian Fellowship, First Presbyterian Church, Brainerd and Bigfork Presbyterian Church. Joining an international group in Israel/Palestine to pick olives for Palestinians who were kept from their orchards by the The Wall, was a profound experience.

Sports were very important to Vern, especially baseball. He played as a catcher for teams in Southwest, MN, was active in Babe Ruth baseball in Charlottesville, VA as an umpire, coach and president of Senior League. He loved the MN Twins. He was an avid fan of the MN Vikings and Gopher football, University of Virginia and Gopher basketball.

Vern in survived by his wife of 62 years, Marilyn; children: Bruce of Charlottesville, VA, Timothy (Sandy) of Lenox, IA, Bradley (Becky) of Puyallup, WA, Kathy of Severna Park, MD; grandchildren: Corey, Amber, Naomi (Matt), Hannah, Karlie (Kris), Haylie, Scott, Paige, Kelly, and Kevin; great-grandchildren: Scarlet and Penelope; sisters: Marilyn McKay and Ruth Bliss; brothers-in-law: Leonard Lohre, Glen Schueller, and Neil McKay; sisters-in-law: Dianne Maxa and Janet Warring; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding Vern in death are his parents, brothers: Donald, Marvin, Neil, Gordon, Russell, Mike; sisters: Doris Lohre and Marvel Schueller.

A Memorial Service for Vern will be held on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Brainerd with visitation at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be in Vern’s hometown, Seaforth, MN. Memorials can be made to First Presbyterian Church, Brainerd for Presbyterian Disaster Relief.


Memorial Service

First Presbyterian Church
  • Email Details
  • 512 8th Street
    Brainerd, MN 56401
  • Visitation one hour before service.
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