Hurricane, Utah - LaVern "Vern" Francis Neppl died peacefully at his home in Hurricane, UT on May 23, 2023.  He was born July 5, 1932, in Carroll, Iowa, the 7th of Chris & Mary Neppl's 11 children.

Vern farmed 560 acres in Crawford County, IA before moving his young family to Alexandria, MN to work for the MN Farm Bureau Federation.  His interest and involvement in civic and public affairs led him to Mankato, MN where he managed successful campaigns and served as District Representative for two United States Congressmen.  In 1977, Vern was elected State Chairman of the Independent-Republicans of Minnesota and subsequently served on the Executive Committee for the Republican National Committee.  In 1984, a presidential appointment took Vern and his family to Washington, DC, where he served numerous executive level roles in the Agricultural Stabilization & Conservation Service (ASCS) and as Vice President of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) in the United States Department of Agriculture.

Following retirement, Vern enjoyed his time in Fairfax, VA, Grove, OK, Denison, IA and Hurricane, UT.  Vern was a man of optimism, loyalty, honesty and integrity.  Despite many additional accomplishments, he always remained a farmer at heart, and was happiest when surrounded by his family.

Vern is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lorraine (Lapke); his children: Diane (Lee Fralish) of Apple Valley, UT, Joseph (Kiturah) of Kailua-Kona, HI, Randal of Oahu, HI and Amie (Mike Moonan) of Golden Valley, MN; 11 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Private viewing and family memorial to follow.