Verne Chester Budahn

Repatriation and graveside services for A2C Verne Chester Budahn who passed away November 22, 1952 in Alaska will be observed at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 29, 2019 at the Budahn family plot in the Arlington Public Cemetery.

Verne was born on February 26, 1933 in Green Isle Township, the son of Vernon and Myrtle (Sinell) Budahn. Verne attended and graduated from Arlington High School in 1951. On November 16, 1951 he enlisted in the US Air Force. On November 22, 1952 the aircraft he was a passenger in crashed into Mt. Gannet near Anchorage. All 52 persons aboard perished. For a time it was thought that his body could be recovered, but at the time was impossible. It wasn’t until 2012 during a routine training mission that the wreckage of the plane was spotted about 12 miles away from the crash site. Due to the advancements in technology and the forensic applications, Verne’s body was found and identified and has been sent home for proper interment.

At present, Verne is survived by one brother and his wife, Alvin and Marianne Budahn of Baxter, two sisters-in-law, Naomi Budahn of Mankato and Joan Budahn of Arlington and nieces and nephews. Verne is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Myrtle, a sister in infancy, brothers, Lewis and his first wife Theresa, Claude and his wife Lucille, Earl Budahn and Alvin’s first wife Helen Budahn.