Laverne George Pung, 92, of Huntsville, AL, passed away on March 31, 2026. Verne was born on November 9, 1933, to Edward and Clara (Flint) Pung in St. Martin, MN.
Verne was raised in St. Cloud, then moved to Minneapolis after high school. He worked as a mail clerk in a tax office, and it was there that he first spotted Erliss Jorgenson, a beautiful young woman working in a clerical position. He wooed her and they married a short time later.
He joined the Army and was stationed at Ft. Gordon in Augusta, GA, where he and Erliss started their family. He served for two years, then returned to Minnesota, attending the University of Minnesota and earning a bachelor’s degree in forestry. He then went to work for Masonite Corporation, starting a lifelong career in wood technology. Verne was passionate about his career and was a force in his field, working in plants across the country including California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Mississippi.
An engineer at heart, he took great joy in fixing anything and everything, and when there wasn’t a ready fix, he would invent a creative solution. Verne was a dedicated father who took great joy in teaching his children how to do the same.
After retiring, Verne and Erliss spent 10 years as coordinators for the Mississippi Seniors Golf Association, traveling the Southeast and setting up golfing events for the organization. After a second retirement from those duties, they spent a number of years sharing time between their home in Laurel, MS, and a vacation home in Ft Myers, FL. In 2023, they moved to Redstone Village in Huntsville, AL, to be near family.
Verne and Erliss have five children: Vicki, Joseph (deceased), Steven, Michael, and Brian; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was a devoted husband to Erliss, his wife of 71 years. Verne was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Clara; siblings Viola, Ramona, and Orville; and his second child, baby Joseph. He is survived by his loving wife Erliss, his four children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will take place at Good Shepherd Catholic Church on Tuesday, April 7th at 11:00 a.m., with visitation before from 10:00 to 11:00.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Good Shepherd Catholic Church.
