Vernon Hvam, age 80, of 1500 4th St. SW, Huron, SD, died Saturday, June 23, 2007, at his home. His funeral service will be at 2:00 PM Thursday, June 28, at Riverview United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday afternoon and evening and Thursday morning at the Welter Funeral Home or prior to the service at the church Thursday afternoon. The family will be present from 7:00 to 9:00 PM Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Vernon Thomas Hvam was born on July 6, 1926, to George and Byrdie (Bricker) Hvam on a farm in rural Fedora, SD. He grew up there where he attended country school, then high school in Fedora. After completion of his formal education he worked alongside his father and brother on the homestead farm and at two other family farms in the area. On April 30, 1948, Vernon married Darlene Carlson at Luverne, MN. They farmed in rural Artesian until 1956 when they moved into Artesian. They bought the Long Branch Bar in Artesian which they operated until 1966. Vernon then commuted to Huron where he worked for a propane company and cable tv company. In 1969, the couple moved to Huron and in 1970 Vernon became a member of the Huron Police Department. During this period of time he also operated a gunsmith business from his home. He retired from the police department in 1980, but continued operating the gunsmith business until the late 1990s. Vernon was a member of the Elks Lodge, FOP, and the Isaac Walton Sportsmans Club. His many interests included hunting, fishing, trapshooting, and gardening. In years past he was an avid bowler and golfer. Vernon took great pride in the landscape and planted many trees at the trailer court where he lived and also at his children's homes. He is survived by 1 daughter, Danita Whitmer of Huron; 5 sons, Kerry Hvam of Huron, Kevin (Joni) Hvam of Huron, Kenny Hvam of Gillette, WY, Kirk (Virginia) Hvam of Aberdeen, and Kyle (Shalley) Hvam of Sugar Hill, GA; 12 grandchildren, Brandon (Jenny) Rowe, Robyn Whitmer, Tony Whitmer, Crystal (Ryan) Wilson, Allison Hvam, Chad (Dawn) Hvam, Kristen Hvam, Saun Hvam, Chayse Hvam, Alex Hvam, Jakobe Hvam, Chelsea Hvam, and a grandchild soon to be born to Kirk and Virginia; 5 great grandchildren, Hannah Whitmer, Jordyn Rowe, Taylor Rowe, Camden Hvam, and Cayden Hvam; 1 brother, Weyland (Sharon) Hvam of Fedora, SD; 1 sister, Janet Staley of De Kalb, IL; his special friend, Doris Hart of Mitchell; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Darlene on June 7, 1997; 1 granddaughter, Rachel Whitmer; and 1 brother-in-law, Jerry Staley.