Vernon W. Liesenberg (“Vern”) of West Bend, Wisconsin has passed away peacefully at the age of 94. On February 2, 2026, he departed to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Vernon was born into a Cedarburg, Wisconsin family, the eldest of three children including brother Edgar, Jr. and sister Judy. His parents were the late Edgar Liesenberg, Sr. and Frieda (Muehleisen) Liesenberg. Vern spent his childhood hunting, fishing, working many jobs, and saving his money to help out his family during the years surrounding the Great Depression. After graduating high school, he finally saved enough money to buy the car he had always wanted: a red Studebaker. He met his future wife, Shirley Koepsel, around the same time. He happened to be driving by while she waited for her ride home. He stopped to offer her a lift, and the rest turned into a more than 70-year history.
Shortly after he began dating Shirley, Uncle Sam came calling. Vern was drafted into the US Army. He went to Leader’s Course and excelled there, eventually being sent overseas to Korea during the Korean War. By that time Vern and Shirley were in love. It was difficult for them to be so far apart. But Shirley wrote to Vern every day and prayed for him more often than that. Vern wrote to Shirley often as well, and when his military service had ended, he proposed. Of course, the answer was a resounding, “Yes!” They were married in Cedarburg at Immanuel Lutheran Church on June 18, 1955. They honeymooned in northern Wisconsin. Vern and Shirley had two children, daughter Tammy and son Tim whom they raised in West Bend.
Vernon began his career in construction working for his dad in his home building business where he learned the valuable trade of carpentry. After much hard work, he transitioned out of building homes and into commercial construction. Vern was employed by several different firms, first as a carpenter, then as a carpenter foreman. He eventually worked his way into construction management. He has been part of some of the largest construction projects in Wisconsin including the Deep Tunnel & Theater District projects in Milwaukee and many medical, university, and school buildings throughout the State.
Vern was a very hard worker. He built three homes for his family during his lifetime. He was a good husband, a good father, and an excellent provider. He spent a lot of time with his family and his extended family, most of whom have lived in the greater Milwaukee area for many years. He loved to go camping and to the Ozaukee County Fair every summer. He also spent lots of time hunting and fishing with his son Tim. In winter his favorite pastime was snowmobiling.
In his retirement, Vern’s family helped him to build a log home near Minocqua on a northern Wisconsin lake. Vern and Shirley moved up north full-time after they retired to follow Vern’s dream of living in the north woods. Vernon also became interested in studying the Bible and Bible prophecy. He and Shirley enjoyed attending their church in Minocqua and socializing with the Seniors they met there. But he loved coming back to southern Wisconsin to visit family and friends and attend “Golden Bulldogs” reunion events at their high school in Cedarburg.
Vernon is survived by his wife Shirley Liesenberg, his daughter Tammy Liesenberg Erickson, his son Tim Liesenberg, his grandsons Matthew (Brienna) Erickson, and Bradley Erickson (Michaela Payton), his great-granddaughter Norah Erickson, his sister Judy (Walter) Hohner, his sister-in-law Gail Liesenberg, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his brother Edgar Liesenberg, Jr., his son-in-law Rick Erickson, and his parents Ed and Frieda.
A memorial visitation will be held at Phillip Funeral Home, 1420 W. Paradise Dr., West Bend, WI 53095 on Friday, March 27, 2026 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm with a light supper to follow.