Age 92, of Little White Fish Lake The Lord called her home on April 18, 2015. Preceded in death by parents Adolf and Cora Funk; sisters, Gertrude, Evelyn, and Katherine. Survived by devoted husband of 69 years, General John William Vessey Jr.; children, John William Vessey III (Alida), Sarah Ann Vessey Krawczyk (Skip), David Christopher (Donna) Vessey; grandchildren, Andrea (Dan) Novack, John William Vessey IV, Samuel and Evan Krawczyk; great-grandchildren, Callen and Aiden Novack. Avis was born in Minneapolis. Graduated from Roosevelt H. S. and the University of Minnesota. She went on to teach Art. She married John her high school sweetheart (they met in chemistry class)! Avis had a unique and special ability to make every house a home and every yard a garden. Over the course of her life she had the opportunity to display this talent over thirty times on military installations in Germany, Thailand, Korea and the United States. She worked extensively with the Brownies, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. Avis supported the defense and foreign policy of the United States by hosting senior foreign military and political leaders, often without advance notice during her husband's extensive military career. Avis was a Christian witness in the public square throughout her life. She filled her life and the lives of those around her with love, light, beauty and humor. A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 24, 2015 at 12 noon at SHEPHERD OF THE LAKE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 10583 U.S. Hwy 169, Garrison MN with a visitation at 11 AM with a lunch to follow. Interment Arlington National Cemetery, Washington D.C. Burial date at Arlington yet to be determined. Memorials preferred to Shepherd of the Lake Church , The John and Avis Scholarship at Concordia University, St. Paul , or the National Military Families Association . 4600 Greenhaven Drive, White Bear 651-407-8300
Published in Pioneer Press on Apr. 22, 2015

Age 92, of Little White Fish Lake The Lord called her home on April 18, 2015. Preceded in death by parents Adolf and Cora Funk; sisters, Gertrude, Evelyn, and Katherine. Survived by devoted husband of 69 years, General John William Vessey Jr.; children, John William Vessey III (Alida), Sarah Ann Vessey Krawczyk (Skip), David Christopher (Donna) Vessey; grandchildren, Andrea (Dan) Novack, John William Vessey IV, Samuel and Evan Krawczyk; great-grandchildren, Callen and Aiden Novack. Avis was born in Minneapolis. Graduated from Roosevelt H. S. and the University of Minnesota. She went on to teach Art. She married John her high school sweetheart (they met in chemistry class)! Avis had a unique and special ability to make every house a home and every yard a garden. Over the course of her life she had the opportunity to display this talent over thirty times on military installations in Germany, Thailand, Korea and the United States. She worked extensively with the Brownies, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. Avis supported the defense and foreign policy of the United States by hosting senior foreign military and political leaders, often without advance notice during her husband's extensive military career. Avis was a Christian witness in the public square throughout her life. She filled her life and the lives of those around her with love, light, beauty and humor. A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 24, 2015 at 12 noon at SHEPHERD OF THE LAKE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 10583 U.S. Hwy 169, Garrison MN with a visitation at 11 AM with a lunch to follow. Interment Arlington National Cemetery, Washington D.C. Burial date at Arlington yet to be determined. Memorials preferred to Shepherd of the Lake Church , The John and Avis Scholarship at Concordia University, St. Paul , or the National Military Families Association . 4600 Greenhaven Drive, White Bear 651-407-8300
Published in Pioneer Press on Apr. 22, 2015