Verne Joseph Hejlik

Verne J. Hejlik, 89, of Garner, passed away Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, at his home surrounded by family. He was recently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia while in Arizona and his wish to be home was fulfilled by riding home on a medical jet flight.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 16, 2024, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner with Rev. Fr. Andrew Marr officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, November 15^that Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. 4^thSt., in Garner with a Scriptural wake service at 4:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Verne Joseph Hejlik, the son of Anton and Rosetta (Phillips) Hejlik, was born on August 27, 1935, on the family farm northwest of Garner. He attended Garfield No. 5 Country School and graduated from Garner High School in 1954. Verne served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1954 to 1960. On October 15, 1955, he married Delores Mar Peterson ‘Punky’ at St. James Catholic Church in Forest City. They made their home in Garner where they raised their five children. Verne was employed at Howie Implement, Kerns Implement, Zrostlik Tire Service, and CF Industries before operating his business, Hejlik Auto Body, selling and working on cars. His shop was a popular place for family and friends to gather. He enjoyed his family and their large gatherings; and grandchildren (and greats) were his pride and joy. For Verne, family, faith and church were a priority throughout his life. In 2013, he lost his wife Punky to cancer. 

In earlier years Verne especially enjoyed hunting in Wyoming as well as locally, motorcycling across the country and camping. Over the past several years, he enjoyed and appreciated spending time with his special friend and companion, Beverly. For more than 30 years he enjoyed wintering in Arizona. He enjoyed his friends, neighbors and activities at Valley Palms Mobile Home Park where one of his favorites activities was playing pool. In 2023 he was their pool league champion. In Garner, he always looked forward to annual class reunions to visit with his classmates.

He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic and a past member of the Garner Lions Club.

Verne is survived by his children, Deb (Jim) Rygh of Lake Mills, Susie (Butch) Kozisek of Ventura, Tim (Sharon) Hejlik of Garner and Tony (Melany) Hejlik of Garner; son-in-law, Rod (Barb) Dodd of Garner; his special friend, Beverly Dietrich and her family; 14 grandchildren, Michael (Lisa) Rygh, David (Margaret) Rygh, Travis (Tiffany) Dodd, Corey (Emily) Dodd, Brad (Casi) Kozisek, Ashley (Jay) Larkin, Chelsey (Tom) Cozad, Richie (Hannah) Kozisek, Lincoln (Lyndi) Harms, Lance (Alicia) Hejlik, Lucas (Taylor) Hejlik, Justine (Brad) McGrath, Jessica (Wyatt) Wood and Jamie Hejlik; 30 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Doris (Harley) Harms of Buffalo Center; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Anton and Rosetta Hejlik, wife, Delores; daughter, Cindy Dodd; son-in-law, Richard Fisher; sister, Marjorie (Bud) Savage; an infant brother, Donald; and brothers, Art (Betty) Hejlik and Harold Hejlik.