Vernon "Vern" Duane Auren, 92, of Flandreau, SD, passed away surrounded by family on Monday, December 29, 2025 at Avantara Lake Norden. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at Second Presbyterian Church in Flandreau, SD. Family present visitation will take place at Skroch Funeral Chapel on Friday, January 2, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00PM with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM.

Vernon Duane Auren was born July 23, 1933 in Griggs County North Dakota to Sigvart and Ruby (Olson) Auren.  He attended school in North Dakota until the 8th grade when he went to work on the family farm.  This is where he began to learn his strong work ethics.  Vernon was drafted into the Army in 1954 where he was deployed to Korea and honorably discharged in 1956.

When Vernon returned home to North Dakota he worked various jobs before finding his calling in road construction working for Johnson Brothers construction.  It was at this time, that he was working on the road in South Dakota and met Velma while she was working at a café in Dell Rapids.  She learned that food was always the way to his heart.

Vernon and Velma were united in marriage in Trent, South Dakota on October 25, 1963.  They were blessed with Dennis in 1964, Cheryl in 1965, Teresa in 1968 and Jamie in 1981.  During these years, they moved around following Vernon's jobs on the road before settling in Flandreau in 1968.  He worked at Dale McCracken's Garage before working for Bob Fuller, driving school buses and keeping them maintained.  During that time, in the summers he worked for Eng Services hauling gravel. He then went to work at Ramsdell's before going to Eaton Dakota.  Eventually he worked for the SD DOT until retirement and beyond.  During that time he and Velma purchased The Spot Drive Inn.

Vernon continued to live at home after Velma passed in January.  He continued to keep the kitchen floor cleaned right up until the time his heart became weak.  This is when he moved to Avantara Lake Norden.  He passed away peacefully with his daughters by his side on December 29, 2025.

Through all of Vernon's life, he left a lasting impression on everyone he worked with. From his nicknames for everyone to his witty jokes, even if Velma felt they were inappropriate (VERNON!).  He kept everyone laughing right up until the end.

Grateful for having shared his life are his children: Cheryl Gibbs and her husband Dave, Teresa Peckham and her husband Jim, and Jamie Gaspar and her husband Jesse; grandchildren: Ryan Gibbs (Stephanie), Trevor Gibbs (Dana), Nichole Sullivan (Dustin), Jim Gibbs (Steffanie), Tiffany Bowers (Justin), Amber Jensen (Mikala), Ryan Peckham, Matt Peckham (Cynthia), Nicole Severson (Jason), James Auren (Ann), Jaelynn Gaspar, Julianna Gaspar, and Joseph Gaspar; 19 great-grandchildren; sisters, LaVeta Longtine, Betty Matter (James) and Margie Wolfswinkel; brothers-in law, Richard Damm and Darrell (Judy) Damm.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Velma; son, Dennis; parents, Sigvart and Ruby; and sister, Yvonne Kuvaas.