Vernon George Szudera

Vernon George Szudera, 83, of Beach, North Dakota, passed away on Friday, October 17, 2025, at St. Benedict's Health Center in Dickinson, North Dakota. Visitation will be held from 6-7 PM, Thursday, October 23, 2025, with a Rosary and Vigil Service to follow at 7 PM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Beach with Deacon Ron Zachmann presiding. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM, Friday, October 24, 2025, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Beach with Father Nicholas Vetter officiating. Rite of Committal with Military Honors will follow in St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Beach. Silha Funeral Home of Beach has been entrusted with arrangements.
Vernon was a man of great faith and he lived his life accordingly. He attended Mass every Sunday come rain or shine.
To be a good man, one needs faith in Jesus Christ.
Vernon was a good man.
Vernon was born on June 19, 1942, in Glendive, Montana, to George and Marian (Johnson) Szudera. He was raised in the Beach area and received his early education locally, graduating from Beach High School in 1960. Following graduation, he attended Billings Business College and worked for the Bureau of Reclaimation before answering the call to serve his country.
In September of 1962, Vernon enlisted in the United States Air Force, where his business training led to clerical and administrative duties at the base in Moses Lake, Washington. He served honorably for four years before returning home to Beach to begin the work that would come to define his life.
Upon his return, Vernon joined his father on the family farm. The family operated a dairy while farming and raising beef cattle. Vernon found deep satisfaction in every aspect of agricultural life, particularly haying, but above all, in stewarding the land. Farming and ranching were not just his livelihood; they were his calling. He rarely sought out hobbies or pastimes beyond it, with the exception of deer season. Vernon was an avid deer hunter and had many trophy bucks to prove it. Vernon was most content right where he belonged: out in the field, working alongside the rhythms of the seasons.
Through the years, his closest daily companions were his dogs, both named Blue-first Blue, then Blue Jr.-blue heelers that stayed faithfully by his side. Those who knew Vernon saw him as steady, introverted, and fully devoted to the life he built on the prairie his family worked before him.
Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, George and Marian; and five infant siblings.
He is survived by his siblings, Vicki (Joel) Erickson, Beach, ND, Roger (Karen) Szudera, Middleton, WI, Ronald (Charlotte) Szudera, Bismarck, ND; and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, PO Box 337, Beach, ND 58621.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared at www.SilhaFuneralHomes.com.