Vernon "Speed" David Desing

Vernon “Speed” Desing, age 98, died on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at ValleyCare and Rehab in Barnesville, MN.

Vernon David Desing was born on September 10, 1927, to David and Mathilda Desing in Barnesville, MN. He grew up in Barnesville where he attended Assumption School until moving on to Barnesville High School, where he graduated in 1945. As a child Speed had several jobs, including at a local butcher shop, in the creamery, and on area farms, to help support his mother and sisters during the Great Depression. During his high school years, he played football, basketball, and developed a lifelong love of baseball. He played on the Barnesville Red Birds baseball team into adulthood.

At age 17, Vernon enlisted to serve his country in the US Coast Guard in the final months of WWII. During his service, he was a radio operator stationed in Alexandria, VA. He returned to Barnesville after his service in 1947 and worked for a time on the Great Northern Railroad. He married Beth Habberstad on April 22, 1954, and they lived in Barnesville and began their family.

He started a long career with the Post Office in 1949 and was the Postmaster in Barnesville from 1964 to 1982. He retired from the Postal Service at age 55, but Speed wasn’t ready to stop working. He spent many years driving the Clay County Rural Transit Bus and assisting with funerals at Dobmeier Funeral Home.

Speed was active in his community throughout his life and supported, promoted, and helped shape the Barnesville area. He was a member of the Lions Club, the Knights of Columbus, and served on the Barnesville School Board. He was also a dedicated member of the American Legion and helped grow the Babe Ruth and American Legion Baseball programs. In his spare time, he found time to bowl, fish, golf, shoot pool, and play cards. He was passionate about the project to revitalize Blue Eagle Lake in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His enthusiasm for travel, which began during his years of military service, led him to explore the world. He traveled for family vacations to state and national parks, as well as to the Caribbean and Europe. He also traveled for postmaster conventions and went on many fishing trips throughout Minnesota, Michigan, Canada, and beyond. Speed loved the Minnesota Twins and enjoyed watching them in person, on television, and over the radio. Most recently he has been a resident of ValleyCare and Rehab.

Vernon is survived by his wife of 72 years, Beth Desing of Barnesville, MN; five children: Chad (Noreen Knutson) Desing of Moorhead, MN, Mark Desing of Barnesville, Seth (Julie) Desing of Barnesville, Ann (Bill) Ishaug of Barnesville, and Matthew (Oscar Beltran) Desing of Indianapolis, IN; four grandchildren: Travis Desing, Carrie (Jessie) Feigum, Sarah (Nick) Hellem, Grant (Dylan Putnam) Ishaug; seven great grandchildren: Olivia, Chloe, and Quinn Desing, Jonah, Seth, Henry, and Benjamin Feigum; brother Jerry (Addie) Furst, sister in law Joan Furst, and several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his granddaughter Allyson Ishaug, parents David Desing and Mathilda “Tillie” Furst, stepfather Leslie “Tudy” Furst, two sisters: Vivian “Sis” (Leonard) Montplaisir and Marlys (Swede) Bernier; two brothers Tom and Gene Furst.

Memorial Services will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, August 5, 2026, in the Barnesville High School Auditorium with Rev. Steve Norby, a family friend, officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM that morning. Interment will be at 2:00 PM in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Barnesville.

Online memories and condolences may be shared at www.KorsmoFuneralService.com