Lavern L. Syring

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our father, Lieutenant Colonel LaVern L. Syring, 92, of Wausau, Wisconsin.  Vern passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Cedar Creek Manor in Kronenwetter, Wisconsin.

He was born May 1, 1932, in Ladysmith, Wisconsin to the late Karl and Anna (Hon) Syring. Growing up as the oldest of four children, Vern worked on the family’s farm until the age of 17 whereupon he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and proudly served his country from May 2, 1949, to March 31, 1973: more than 23 years.  He earned the distinguished rank of Chief Master Sergeant.

Vern did tours of duty in both the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam war.  During his peacetime service he was stationed at Keflavík, Iceland; London, England; Columbus, Ohio; Plattsburg, New York; Okinawa, Japan; Omaha, Nebraska; Trenton, New Jersey; and Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan.  While in Nebraska he took advantage of the G.I. Bill by attending the University of Omaha, receiving degrees in business administration (accounting) and meteorology. After retiring from his military career, Vern and his family returned to the Wausau area.  He tested for and got a job as a carrier with the Wausau Post Office.  He eventually became a Postal Auditor for the state and when the position of Postmaster for the Schofield Post Office became available Vern tested, interviewed, and got the job. After retiring from a 22-year postal career, Vern wasn’t done working yet. He took a job with Wausau Homes as an Over the Road (OTR) semi-truck driver until they closed that division years later.

Vern’s love of aircraft and flying took him to Wausau Airport where, after many hours of flight training, he received both his private pilot’s license and his flight instructor’s certification. Vern joined the Civil Air Patrol which is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Vern’s duties included flying reconnaissance missions for local law enforcement and rescuing people in distress.  He also taught young cadets how to fly and prepared them for solo flight.

He stayed active with local friends, family, and community. He enjoyed traveling domestically and abroad, golfing, training for half marathon competitions, flying, riding his motorcycles, cooking cheese curds at the fair with the Wausau Optimists, bowling, square dancing, and Friday night fish fries. Vern led a full and busy life; only recently retiring in the twilight of his years.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents; former wife, Nancy Otto, of 47 years; brother, Gary and his wife Diane; nephew, Gary Jr.; brother-in-law, Vernon Marson; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Survivors include his son, Keith of Weston; daughter, Cheryl of Marysville, CA; grandson, Jeff of Marathon; granddaughter, Dawn of Rockford, IL; and three great-grandchildren, Emma, Shyanne, and Savanna also of Rockford, IL; sister, Jean (Syring) Marson of West Bend, WI; sister, Joyce (Syring) Opichka; brother-in-law, Bill Opichka of Wausau; and various nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 426 Washington Street, Wausau, with Rev. Mary Jo Laabs officiating.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. until the time of service, all at the church.  Entombment will follow in Restlawn Memorial Chapel Mausoleum with military honors accorded by American Legion Montgomery-Plant-Dudley Post #10.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.

The family would like to thank the staff of Cedar Creek Manor of Kronenwetter for making dad’s time there as comfortable as possible.