SIOUX CITY -- Vernon "Scoot" D. Stolen Jr., 56, of Sioux City passed away Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011.
Services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Luke Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Kathy Wicks officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. followed by a Masonic service, at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Scoot was born Oct. 23, 1955, in Sioux City, to Vernon D. and Muriel L. (Bang) Stolen. He has been a lifelong resident of Sioux City, attending East High School, graduating in 1972. He later attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.
He was employed with Midwest Electric for more than 25 years and achieved the position of vice president and was a part owner in the company.
He was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church, where he was baptized and confirmed. Scoot was a member of the Masonic Lodge 643 in Leeds. He was also a member of the Consistory, Abu Bekr Shrine, Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the Missouri River Boat Club. He enjoyed playing Santa for the 185th ARW Air National Guard Christmas parties and for the Humane Society, also participating in their Pet Adoption Program. He loved boating, water skiing, scuba diving, and classic cars and enjoyed attending car shows. During his school years, he enjoyed football and wrestling. He also loved spending time at his parents' home on Big Spirit Lake. Even at the time of his passing, he thought of others. He donated his eyes to the Lions Eye Bank so others can see.
Even though his birth given name was Vernon, all of his family and friends knew him as "Scoot," the nickname given to him by his grandfather shortly after birth. His mother was the only one who could get by calling him "Scootie Love." He was known for his sense of humor and his love for boating.
Survivors include his father, Vernon D. Stolen Sr. of Sioux City; sister, Lynette and Stan Gable of Hartley, Iowa; three nephews, Colton and Megan Gable of Hartley, Preston Gable and his special friend, Amber Vander Veen of Ames, Iowa, and Thurston Gable of Hartley; two aunts, Joyce and Bob Burdick and Beverly Bang of Sioux City; two uncles, Roger and Joan Stolen and Fred and Millie Stolen of Sioux City; and special friend, Sue Harig of Edgerton, Wis.
Preceding him in death was his mother.
Memorials may be directed to the Sioux City Humane Society and the Spirit Lake Protective Association.
We will always treasure our memories of Scoot and take comfort that God has received him with open arms.