Vernon Zitterkopf

Vernon Zitterkopf concluded his earthly journey and began his heavenly adventure on Sept 15,2012. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Casper Faith Assembly of God, 4301 S. Casper Mountain Road. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Vern was a master craftsman by trade. He learned from his father beginning at age 13 while working at a sash and door company. He came from a family of 12. He recovered from sleeping sickness at age 9 and gave his heart to the Lord at about 16 years old. He was an exemplary Christian role model and loved to share his faith.

At age 17 he married Elsie and they raised a family of 6 children as an owner of Courtesy Millwork and then Zitterkopf Cabinet and Millwork, which is still operating today. His motto was "If it's wood we make it". As a legacy of the love and craftsman trade passed on to five generations, the grandchildren have custom built the casket created in his honor in which he will be laid to rest.
Since the fall of 2001 Vern has battled cancer. On Sept 15 his healing was completed when he entered his heavenly home.

Much of his craftsmanship is still around Casper, like the original church built at 19th and Poplar, and the new one on the Mountain Road. Many of the homes he built in Casper between 1954-1984 feature his kitchen cabinets, windows, trim or custom work. He built campers for a season, picnic tables, display and back drop panels and did antique restoration. During a period of time in Alliance, Nebraska he took down a 1942 World War II hanger and built a new church there.

When Vern and Elsie moved to the ranch 32 miles west of Casper they began a new journey and picked up jobs like building a home for daughter and husband, a pumper for several oil companies, ranching and his "favorite" was grooming the country and oil field roads with his CAT road grater. He called this his relaxation time.

He loved antique cars and was owner of the winning "Best Antique (unmodified) Classic Car" in 2007 with his 1933 Dodge Coupe.
As the children were growing up hunting was a big part of the winter vacations that were taken to provide meat for the season. He was a Boy Scout master when his sons were growing up and loved teaching life skills to all the scouts. Vern was a Gideon for a season as well as a precinct person for his district. One of the last things he did was vote absentee in our last election in August. He served as a board member, deacon and Sunday school teacher for many years. He was a member of the tractor club and truly enjoyed pulling weight in competition. He was an avid observer of his sons racing their cars at the Casper Speed Way race track.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, 2 sisters, 1 brother, and 2 great grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of over 61 years Elsie, and 6 children, Barbara Walters and husband David of Casper, Dale Zitterkopf and wife Belinda of Casper, Gary Zitterkopf of Casper, Sarah Redmond of Indiana Daniel Zitterkopf and wife Elizabeth of Nebraska, and David Zitterkopf and wife Tammy of Casper. He is also survived by 22 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Memorials can be sent to the family to assist with medical costs.

He was a man of INTEGRITY and his word was as good as gold.