Vern was united in marriage to Zerita “Tommye” Thompson in Clinton, Oklahoma, on May 12, 1946. In 1947, Vern graduated from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in Dallas, Texas. He returned to Clinton and continued working at the funeral home, purchasing a one-third interest in 1952. In 1968, Vern purchased Leo Schneider’s interest of the firm and at the death of Elgin Kern. In 1970, he purchased the remaining one-third interest from the Kern estate, which made him and his wife the sole owners of the Kern-Schneider-Kiesau Funeral Home. Two years later, the funeral home was moved from its downtown Clinton location to a brand-new facility located at 2500 W. Modelle Ave., where it remains today.

Vern was active in many local organizations, including the Clinton Noon Lions Club, where he was a charter member, a past president, and the recipient of the 50-year pin. Vern also served as President of the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association and was recognized for his 50-year membership and contribution to the association before his death. He was also a 50-year member of the Travelers Protection Association and was a member of the Corn Alumni Association.

Vern served on the board and was a past president of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce. He also served as a member of the Clinton Industrial Foundation, a member of the Clinton Masonic Lodge #339 AF&AM, and a member and regional director for the International Order of the Golden Rule. He was a board member for the Clinton Hospital Trust Foundation and served as president of the Clinton Red Tornadoes Football Booster Club and a member of the Rollin’ Okies Chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association. Vern was also an active member of the First Baptist Church of Clinton.

The Kiesaus were members of the First Baptist Church, and Zerita was active in the Clinton Community. She volunteered with the Junior Service League, the Merry Matrons Club, and various other organizations. She enjoyed traveling with Vern in the RV, working, and visiting with family and friends.

Vern and Zerita raised two sons, Tom Kiesau, who resides in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and the late Randy Kiesau.

Randy Kiesau was born on Wednesday, May 31, 1950, in Clinton, Oklahoma, to Vern and Zerita Kiesau. He attended Clinton Public Schools, graduating from Clinton High School in 1968. After graduation, Randy attended Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas, on a four-year football scholarship. He passed away on Friday, October 2, 1970, in the Colorado Rockies, eight miles west of Silver Plume, Colorado, when a chartered Martin 4-0-4 airplane crashed into a mountain. Randy and the Wichita State University football team were traveling to Utah State University in Logan, Utah, to face the Aggies in a Saturday afternoon football game.

Randy loved athletics. His father, Vern, was quoted as saying that “athletics were Randy’s life.” “Randy’s first achievement was winning a blue ribbon while running in the junior Olympic dashes his first year in school,” Vern continued. Randy’s football career began in the sixth grade when he was a member of the pee wee team. Randy was also a member of the Clinton Championship Football team for three years. His jersey number was 22.

His older brother, Tom, still resides in Oklahoma.

1995: ‘What a beautiful place to die’