Vernon L. Luettinger

Vernon L. Luettinger age 97 of Richfield. Retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander after 20 years service. Entered the Navy as a seaman and was stationed on the USS California. He survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the sinking of the USS California. He received a war time commission where he briefly flew as a Navigator crew member. Vernon was a past Grand Mason and recently celebrated 70 years as a free Mason. Vernon was a dedicated public servant. He served 17 years on the Richfield City Council and among his many awards was The Richfield Chamber of Commerce Government Achievement Award for Outstanding Public Service. He was a past President of the Rotary Club of Richfield and a two-time recipient of the WCCO Good Neighbor Award.

Vernon was a 60-year member of the Richfield United Methodist Church where he served in many Lay positions including Lay Leader. After retiring from the Navy, Vernon worked as an operations manager with the Ebenezer Society. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Norma; sons, Terry (Kit), Rod (Chenoa) Kirk; grandchildren, Jason (Chierstin) Scott (Jennifer) Gena (Amber), Aaron (Tania), Lenny (Maira) Luettinger, Danielle (Don) Frogner; great grandchildren, Chase, Corbin, Jasmine, Caden, Josh, Kyle, Kiah, Ashley, Matthew, Julia, Payton, Phenton, Eve; sister, Arla Olive; former daughter-in-law, Gunta Luettinger. Preceded in death by siblings Melvin, Olive, and Walton