Jay Veronen

Jay Charles Veronen was born on December 3, 1943, in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, to Raymond and Arlene (Mack) Veronen. On December 28, 1963, he married the love of his life, Mavis Freitag, at Bartlett Lutheran Church in Bartlett Township. Together, they built a full and joyful life, raising four sons—Kevin, Scott, Jeff, and Paul.

Jay had a deep love for restoring tractors and classic vehicles. He began his career at Stuntebeck Ford in Wadena and later found his long-term home at Mueller Motors, where he spent 42 years bringing old vehicles back to life. He was known for his generosity, often repairing cars for people in need and asking little to nothing in return.

Vacations with Jay weren’t complete without wood—splitting it, hauling it, stacking it. Wherever the red pickup took the family, firewood was always somehow involved. He was a true master of the Weber smoker and his grilled turkeys were amazing. 

Jay was a prankster to the core; his grandkids knew all too well how far he could take a joke, and it only got more intense with time. He also had the uncanny ability to fall asleep in any chair without ever tipping over—something of a family marvel.

He was a longtime member and past president of the England Prairie Pioneer Club, where his passion for restoration and community continued to shine. However, Jay had an impressive knack for disappearing when housework needed to be done—a skill no one else in the family quite mastered.

Those left to honor his memory include his loving wife of 62 years, Mavis; his four sons, Kevin (Elizabeth) Veronen of Huntersville, Scott (Jennifer) Veronen of Verndale, Jeff (April) Veronen of Verndale, and Paul Veronen (and his beloved cat, Garfield) of Fergus Falls. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Autumn (Brady) Junes, Mysti (Ryual) Kindenhart, Jacky (Phil) Meyer, Emily (Robert) Ismil, Brianna (Stephon) Whitaker, Krysta Kopp, Kaitlyn Hamer, David Veronen, and Walter Veronen, sister-in-law Barbara, as well as several great-grandchildren who brought him so much joy.

Jay is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Arlene; his sister, Mary (Douglas); and his brother, Matthew.

Jay was a man of humor, grit, and heart. He leaves behind a family who will miss his teasing, his turkey, and the way he made the ordinary feel special.

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