Vernon Emil Niska

Our beloved member, Vernon Emil Niska died in January 2010. Vern was born in May 1922 in Brainerd, Minnesota. His Lutheran family baptized him as an infant. In October 1922, his family moved to a farm in Southern Minnesota near the town of Fairfax where Vern grew up.

During World War II, Vern was drafted into the Army Air Corps. Serving in England, he met the love of his life, Patricia Farrell, who he married on July 12, 1945. Pat came to America the next year on a large ocean liner full of war brides.

The couple settled in the Los Angeles area and eventually adopted two children, Roberta who was born in 1952, and Frank who was born in 1956. After worshipping for a few years in the Methodist church, Pat and Vern found Friends and became members of the San Fernando Valley Meeting. When they moved to San Diego, they became members of La Jolla Monthly Meeting in August 1971.

Vern worked as an engineer for General Dynamics. He was a hard worker, extremely conscientious, and had boundless energy which kept him busy at home or at the Meetinghouse. He had classic cars, a model T and a model A, in his yard which he was always tinkering on. He also loved to square dance and take long walks. All this activity helped him burn off the calories from all the potlucks he loved to partake in.

Vern and Pat were faithful servants of La Jolla Meeting for over 30 years. Utilizing his ingenious engineering skills, Vern was constantly working on property maintenance. The Meeting benefitted greatly from his dedication to keeping the Meetinghouse in good order. A gregarious and friendly man, Vern was our official greeter for many years; several Friends say their first impression of Meeting was being welcomed by Vern with open arms. He would couple his greeting with a corny joke, which served the purpose of putting people at ease. Vern served on many Meeting committees. He and Pat were loved by everyone; our community hosted a loving 50th anniversary celebration for them in 1995.

Vern was a devoted family man. He helped care for his parents and was very kind to his brother Raymond and sister Alice. He was very supportive of Pat who struggled with many illnesses during their marriage. When their daughter Roberta became ill with multiple sclerosis, Vern and Pat took their teenaged granddaughter, Erika, into their home and were able to guide her into adulthood. Roberta died a few years ago.

Vern suffered from Parkinson’s ever since the war without complaint. When he was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia several years ago, he accepted the news with his usual calm, stoic attitude. He took care of his affairs as best he could. His son Frank became the caregiver for both Pat and Vern in their last years. Pat predeceased Vern in 2006. Frank was a faithful devoted caregiver for many years and stated that he was just following the example of his father.

We will greatly miss this fun loving, dedicated, industrious member of our community. Vern’s survivors include his sister Alice, son Frank, granddaughter Erika, great grandson, Isak and three nieces.