Vernon D. Schemm

*****Service Times are Scheduled for Mountain Time*****

Vernon Duane Schemm, age 88, of Sharon Springs passed away Friday, September 30, 2022. Vernon was born April 26, 1934 to Herman Fredrick “Fritz” and Mary Magdalena “Lena” (Deines) Schemm in WaKeeney, Kansas. 

Vernon was born during the great depression and dust bowl era. While these were very challenging times the family was able to survive, and his mother would frequently place moistened sheets to cover his crib from dust. He grew up on a farm in Wallace County and graduated from Wallace County High School as valedictorian in 1952. He attended Bethany College at Lindsborg. After 2 years in college, he enlisted in the US Army in 1954 which was between the Korean and Vietnam War. He was sent to Fort Mammoth, NJ to receive training, he entered signal school which developed technical skills necessary to automate, transmit and receive voice and data information for the Army. He also received training with carbine, US caliber 30 M-1 and graduated with an expert score. This was in the beginning of the guided missile research and development. He was transferred to the anti-aircraft artillery and guided missile program at White Sands Proving Grounds in New Mexico which at the time was a secret site of bomb testing. He became a member of the electronic trajectory unit as operator of a doppler transmitter station that determined ballistic trajectory data. He was often a responder who was the last person to prepare the missile for launch before count down. After leaving active duty he was part of the Emergency Reinforcement until Honorable Discharge in November 1962 and ranked as a SP4 USAR.  He returned to Bethany to complete his college education with a bachelor’s degree in Math and Science.

Vernon met a young freshman in the commercial art program named Dixie. On July 17, 1960, he married Dixie Chain in Haven, Kansas and returned to Wallace County to start farming and begin their family. To this union four children were born, Steve, Diane, Mary, and David. Vernon and Dixie added a dairy and milk production to their busy life of farming. He decided to attend the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley and acquire the additional education he needed to teach math and science. He taught at Wallace County High School for 6 years until there wasn’t enough time to continue to teach due to a growing farm and a herd of registered Charolais cattle. Raising Charolais cattle was a great love of his. 

Vernon had a great talent for fixing things around the place, which often put him in his woodshop which he loved. He was a very dedicated 4H leader/project leader in the local club. He enjoyed people, especially young people; and it was evident in how they loved and respected him. Most important of all Vernon was a man of deep faith, he lived this faith out every day and made it a priority to his family. He served as an elder for many years. Vernon was a member of the Risen King Community Church in Weskan. He enjoyed helping in his community and spending time with his family and friends.    

Vernon is preceded in death by his parents, Fritz and Lena; infant brother, Donald; grandson, Luke Schemm; and sister-in-law, Mildred. 

He is survived by his wife Dixie of 62 years; sons, Steve (Michelle) of Wallace, KS and David (Lisa) of Sharon Springs, KS; daughters, Diane (Mike) Kuykendall of Weskan, KS and Mary (Paul) Meyer of Auburn, KS; 12 grandchildren: Sarah (Taylor) Prescott of Conway, AR; Matt (Elena) Kuykendall of Tel Aviv, Israel; Lauren Kuykendall of Memphis, TN; Amanda (Kileab) Ammons of Siloam Springs, AR; Clay Schemm of Sharon Springs, KS; Colton (Natalie) Meyer of Topeka, KS; Greg Kuykendall of Wichita, KS; Chase Meyer of Topeka, KS; Caleb Schemm of Goodland, KS; Zach Schemm of Sterling, KS; Jadon Schemm of Wallace, KS; Mykah Schemm of Wallace, KS; 4 great-grandchildren, Ava Prescott, Josie Prescott, Arabella Ammons and Kaida Ammons; brothers, Dean of Sharon Springs, KS, Ronald (Barbara) of Irvine, CA and Melven (Kay) of Edmond, OK.  

Live streaming of the service: 
Risen King Community Church | Facebook

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