When Vern was 13, a neighbor asked him to come and help on a small farm while his wife recovered from surgery. Vern took over the household and farm duties, making bread, washing clothes, milking cows, cutting wood, making hay and anything else required to put food on the table and earn money for clothes. 

Pearl says. “Like many Hq1 veterans, Vernon seldom talked about his wartime experiences, so my contribution for this summary is limited to his post-war activities.”  

Pearl continues.

“Vernon was discharged from the service on February 11, 1946 at Camp McCoy, WI.  He returned to Gonvick, MN where he was employed driving a Standard Oil truck.

He married a local girl (not Pearl) and they had two daughters. In 1954, Vernon was offered a position as Standard Oil agent in Duluth, MN and he moved his family.

A few years later, Vern formed the ‘Tharaldson Oil Company’ that was an immediate success.  Unfortunately, Vern developed asthma and was forced to sell the company and move to Arizona. 

Over the years, Vern longed to return to Duluth, MN and in 1969, he made the move. Vern went into the travel trailer business with a friend. This led to a divorce. In the early 70’s, the travel trailer industry was booming, and Vern and his partner separated.”   

In May 1971, Vern met Pearl in Duluth, MN. They married March 16, 1973, in Cromwell, MN,  They built a very successful trailer sales business from which they retired in 1987. 

 
Tharaldson’s Trailer Sales Park