Luverne (Vern) Andrew Bushlack of Rochester died on December 31, 2025, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous 20-year battle with Parkinson's disease.

Vern was born on November 19, 1941, in Wells, Minnesota, to Joe and Clara Bushlack. He married the love of his life, Margaret (Marmie) Nieland, in 1969. Vern and Marmie lived most of their married life and raised their two children in Rochester, Minnesota. They spent 13 years as snow birds in Fountain Hills, Arizona.

Vern earned his bachelor's, master's, and education specialist degrees from the University of Minnesota. He began his career teaching agriculture at Kasson-Mantorville High School in 1963. He went on to establish award-winning horticulture programs at John Marshall High School and at Rochester Community and Technical College. Sharing his green thumb and love of the outdoors, Vern inspired students to enrich their surroundings by maintaining school grounds as part of the curriculum. Vern loved both teaching and his students. He received recognition from the Minnesota Future Farmers of America Hall of Fame, was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year by Minnesota Agriculture Educators, and received the Rochester Mayor's Legacy Award Medal of Honor.

Vern greatly enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He loved to travel, golf, tend to his gardens, and spend time outdoors. A loyal sports fan, Vern could often be found cheering on the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Gophers. His legacy lives on in the countless students who learned an appreciation for agriculture and horticulture, his wife, children, and grandchildren who carry on his love of family and beauty, and the many communities where he left his mark. He taught his students to work hard and do things right the first time. Vern was a kind and gentle soul who always put others first.

Vern leaves behind his devoted wife of 56 years, Marmie (Nieland); daughter Lisa (John) Norcross; son Jeff (Sally); granddaughters Katherine and Evelyn Norcross; brother Mark (Sharon) Bushlack; sister-in-law Nancy Bushlack. He was preceded in death by his infant son, Christopher; parents Joseph and Clara (Dulas); brothers Raymond, James, and Eugene; sisters Jane Stenzel and Collette Bushlack; brother-in-law David Stenzel; and sister-in-laws Rita and Lois.

The family requests memorials be made to the RCTC Foundation for the Vern Bushlack Scholarship Fund at Rochester Community and Technical College.

Funeral services will be held on January 19, 2026, at River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, Rochester, Minnesota. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m., services at 11:00 with lunch following.

A livestream of the service will be available at www.mackenfuneralhome.com .