Reverend Jaberg

Reverend Vernon E. Jaberg, Pastor Emeritus of St. Johns United Church of Christ, Sheboygan, passed away with his loving family by his side at Aurora Memorial Medical Center in Sheboygan on Sunday, January 22, 2017. He was 94 years old. Vernon was born September 28, 1922 in Indianapolis, IN a son of the late Reverend Elmer C. and Hilda C. (Stuckmann) Jaberg. Rev. Jaberg came to Sheboygan with his family in 1936, graduating from North High School in 1940. The following year Reverend Jaberg enrolled in Mission House College (Lakeland University) where he was affiliated with Zeta Chi fraternity, graduating with his Bachelor's Degree in 1944.

On June 5, 1946, he married his beloved wife soul mate, the former Virginia Dirkse . She preceded him in death on April 22, 2006.

In 1947, Reverend Jaberg graduated from Mission House Theological Seminary and was ordained at Ebenezer UCC, Sheboygan that year. During his tenure, Reverend Jaberg served Zion UCC in Talmage, Neb.; Immanuel UCC in Klemme, IA.; St. Peter's UCC in Kiel, and started at St. John's UCC in Sheboygan in 1966. After his retirement, Vernon continued as the Pastor of Visitation at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Sheboygan until 1996.

Vernon lived an active life beyond the church. He was involved with many community organizations. Vernon volunteered and chaired several ecumenical and civic boards over the years. He served on the Board of Directors for Cedar Community, West Bend, WI and Moon Beach Camp, United Way, Salvation Army and the Associate Board and Alumni Board of Lakeland College. He was past president and active member of the Sheboygan Noon Kiwanis Club.

Vernon was a man of great love, good humor, faith and generosity. He enjoyed traveling, reading, swimming, volleyball and golf. He spent several years working on the railroad to pay for college and developed a life long passion for trains.

Surviving Vernon are his sons; Mark (Dr. Patricia) Jaberg of Plymouth and Steven (Susan) Jaberg of Kohler, and his daughters; Mary (Jerry) Liebetrau of Elkhart Lake and Laurie Mauss of Sheboygan, eight grandchildren; Leisl (Dr. Borna) Bonakdarpour-Jaberg, Dr. Peter (Lisa) Jaberg and Timothy (Linda) Jaberg, Charles (Marie) Liebetrau and Joseph (Lisa) Liebetrau, Maria (Lance) Dai, Jon and David Mauss,
Fourteen great-grandchildren; Alexandra, Mason, Lilliana, Jackson, and Hazel Jaberg, Nickrooz Bonakdarpour-Jaberg, Meara, Claire, Leo, Luca and Willa Liebetrau, Charlotte Jaberg, Jillian, Genevieve Dai, a sister; Ruth (Edward) Grosshuesch, three sisters-in-law; Mary Dirkse, Nancy Claerbout and Miriam Jaberg, as well as many nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues.

In addition to his wife and parents, Vernon was also preceded in death by his son-in-law; Terry Mauss, his brother; Dr. Eugene Jaberg, a great-grandson; Samyar Bonakdarpour-Jaberg, and two brothers-in-law; Carl Dirkse and William Claerbout.

A Funeral Service will be held for Reverend Jaberg on Friday January 27, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at St. John's United Church of Christ, 1248 Lincoln Avenue, Sheboygan. Reverend Kathryn Kuhn will officiate. Friends may call on the family at St. John's on Friday from 3:00 until 6:15 p.m. A private entombment service will follow on Saturday January 28.

The family encourages memorials to Lakeland University and Moon Beach Camp, Little St. Germaine, WI.

The family wishes to express sincere appreciation to the caregivers at Cedar Bay, Elkhart Lake and the staff of the Aurora Medical Center Sheboygan.

"Let us dry our tears and put out our mourning lamps for the Sun of Christ is shining."