July 5, 1930 to September 9, 2006

Vernon was born on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, North Dakota on July 5, 1930. His birthplace was on the Little Soldier Ranch near Beaver Creek and the Badlands of North Dakota.

His early years were spent doing the normal things little Indian boys do on a cattle ranch. When he was approximately eight years old, he began singing the tenor part for the originators of the Klaudt Family, the Rev. R. H. and Lillian Klaudt. This early trio traveled and conducted revivals in and around the Reservation, parts of the Dakotas, Montana and Minnesota.

At the age of 14, his parents sent Vernon to Bible Training School in Sevierville, Tennessee. While at BTS, and at age 14, he became the bass part for one of the most successful quartets of the mid 40’s, The Kingsman Four. In this quartet with Vernon, was Calvin Newton, Jimi Hall, Harvey Hudson, with Wally Varner on the piano.

In the year of 1946, and after his high school days at BTS, he rejoined the rest of the Klaudts in the State of Washington. This was the beginning of the Klaudt Indian Family that now included Vernon combining with Ramona, Melvin, Mom and Dad Klaudt as the members of the Family. As the years passed, brothers Raymond, Kenneth and soon Betty, Vernon’s wife, joined the Klaudt Family to participate until the Early 1980’s.

While traveling with the family, Vernon achieved many degrees in education and theological studies. He achieved a BA, BD, BS and several Master Degrees in education and higher learning.

Upon the Family retiring, Vernon went into elementary education and soon progressed into administrative duties in the field of education. However the call of ministry never left the heart of Vernon.

During the late 1980’s he left the field of education. He then formed the Vernon Klaudt Indian Family, with his children. His family then traveled for several years through the states and into many foreign countries. As Vernon’s children began to marry and leave, Vernon and Betty developed a mission ministry that ministered in many parts of the world.

On September 9, 2006, Vernon succumbed to the disease of cancer that wracked his body for over eight years. But it did not slow him down. During his last months he found time to travel in and around Atlanta, Georgia. His last ministerial effort was to raise the necessary monies to pay the 2006 – 2007 winter heat bill for the Fort Berthold Reservation’s Indian Mission. This mission was very close to the heart of Vernon, for many of his immediate and extended Indian family received their salvation experience in this little mission.

For further Klaudt history, visit:
http://www.sgma.org/gogr_history/klaudt_indian_family.htm

Rest in peace our talented and precious brother.

“See you soon”