Vernon Louis Piening was born December 4, 1918 on the farm near Pleasant Dale, Nebraska, the son of Henry George and Louise (Dunker) Piening. Vernon attended school in Pleasant Dale and was united in marriage to Alvina E. Zwick on April 25, 1943 at rural Staplehurst. Their marriage was blessed with four children, Myron, Ron, Stuart and Ila. Vernon served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army from August 29, 1941 to October 1, 1945 and then returned home to farm with his brother, Art. Vernon was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Pleasant Dale where he was confirmed in 1933. He was a founding member of the Pleasant Dale Volunteer Fire Department, a charter member of American Legion Post #354 in Pleasant Dale and a member of the school board at District #38. In his younger days Vernon enjoyed dancing at the PlaMor ballroom; but farming was his life. Vernon is preceded in death by his wife, Alvina Piening in 2006; his parents, Henry and Louise Piening; his son, Myron Piening; brother, Art Piening and sisters, Lana Ficke and Edna Thomas. Vernon is survived by his children and spouses, Ila and Dale Matthes, Pleasant Dale, Ron and Marcia Piening,Pleasant Dale, Stuart and Vicki Piening, Lincoln; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; other relatives and a host of friends. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers, and memories of life shared with Vernon. Visition will begin on Friday, July 13, 2012, from 1:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Zabka Funeral Home in Seward. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 14, 2012, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Pleasant Dale with Rev. David Whan officiating. Burial will follow with full military honors by the Pleasant Dale American Legion Post #354 at the Pleasant Dale Cemetery.