Vernon Ervin Stepp, 89, of Kansasville, Wisconsin and formerly of Fayette, passed away Saturday, October 16, 2010, at Wheaton Franciscan All Saints Hospital in Racine, Wisconsin after a long and difficult battle with emphysema.  Vernon was born May 10, 1921 in Rochester, Minnesota, to the late Luther and Louise (nee Radatz) Stepp.  He married his devoted wife, Martha Frances Hathaway on April 6, 1947 in Spokane, Washington.  She preceded him in death on March 9, 2000.

Vernon served as a sergeant in the USAF during WWII.  He was a gold miner and he owned and operated Stepp-A-Long Construction.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman with a great love of Alaska and horses.  In 1979 he completed a 4,186 mile, 14 month trip on horseback from Kansasville to Fairbanks, Alaska, an accomplishment that he was very proud of.

Survivors include his children, James (Marsha Guthrie) Stepp of Fairbanks, Alaska; Grant (Pamela) Stepp of Americus, Georgia; Barbara (Michael) Plantamura of Union Grove, Wisconsin; Chris (Debra) Stepp of Barnesville, Minnesota; and Paul (Cathy) Stepp of Yorkville, Wisconsin; nine grandchildren; six great grandchildren; a sister, Camillo Wood of Vinton, Iowa; and other relatives and friends.

Vernon was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, one brother, James, and his horse, Delta.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at Polnasek-Daniels Funeral Home in Union Grove, Wisconsin, with Pastor James Keuch officiating.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family on Thursday, October 21, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Local services will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Fayette, Iowa, with Rev. Jason Princer officiating.  Relatives and friends may call from 1:00 p.m. until service time on Saturday at the funeral home.  Burial will be held after the service at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Fayette.  Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Union Grove, Wisconsin, or to the charity of your choice.