Vernon G. Bliss, 96, of Bemidji, MN, passed away Sunday, November 22, 2020, at Sanford Medical Center. Vernon “Dude” Bliss was born on September 9, 1924, in Cass Lake, MN, to George and Ottilia (Edlund) Bliss. He grew up in Cass Lake. Dude served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946, spending 24 months on Guadalcanal. After returning to Cass Lake he met and married Lillian Carter. They moved to California where he first worked as a logger and then in underground tunnel construction. He and his family lived all over the country while he was working on various tunnel projects. After retiring and returning to Bemidji, he worked briefly for the DNR. He was a member of the American Legion, The VFW, and a past member of the Eagles. He did extensive volunteer work for all these posts. Dude was an avid gardener who enjoyed hunting (shooting his last deer at 91) and having a cold Hamm’s.
He is preceded in death by his parents Ottilia and George Bliss; sisters Viola (Russ) Isensee, Nora (Fritz) Quimby, and Vivian (Lyndon) Ellis; nephews Barry Isensee and Gary Ellis; grandson Cory Lee Bliss; and great-granddaughter Piper Reierson.
He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Lillian; sons Robert Bliss of Igo, CA, Thomas (Jennifer) Bliss of Laporte, MN, and Daniel Bliss of Bemidji; grandchildren Jennifer (Jim) O’Donnell of Lake Elsinore, CA, Thomas (Brandy) Bliss, Jr. of Lake Elsinore, CA, Danielle (Ryan) Reierson of Bemidji, MN, and Christopher (Michelle) Bliss of Loveland, CO; and great-grandchildren Alik Christiansen, Evin Christiansen, Bailey Bliss, Tobey Bliss, Mataya Carter, Isabella Reierson, Sawyer Reierson, Jorgan Bliss, and Jaxon Bliss; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.