The big heart of a big man finally gave out. Vern A. Kuhle of Dickeyville, WI, formerly of rural Hazel Green, WI, passed away, on Saturday, December 23, 2017, at Unity Point Health-Finley Hospital, in Dubuque, IA, of an apparent heart attack.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A/M, on Friday, December 29, 2017, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, in Sinsinawa, WI, with Fr. Ken Frisch officiating.  Private family burial will be in the church cemetery.

Friends and family may call from 4 P/M to 8 P/M, on Thursday, December 28, 2017, at the Miller Funeral Home, in East Dubuque, where the parish scripture service will be at 3:30 P/M, on Thursday. Friends and relative may also call from 9:15 A/M to 10:15 A/M, on Friday, at the church.

Vern was born August 29, 1931, in rural Hazel Green to Lydia and Joseph Kuhle.  He was raised by his mother and step-father, Cletus Eckert.  He attended school in Kieler, WI, and at Loras Academy, in Dubuque.

He married Doris Mary Hilby on February 7, 1950, at Nativity BVM Catholic Church, in Menominee, IL, and spent the next (66) years making a life together and raising a family.  His heart broke the day he lost Doris on May 15, 2016.

Vern was a farmer and carpenter for over (50) years.  He built many homes with his brother, Bernard, at Kuhle Construction and later for Schultz Construction.  As each of his children became homeowners, there were plenty of remodeling jobs and projects that needed Dad's expertise as well.  In his spare time, Dad loved working with his horses, going to grandkids sporting events and of course, a good card game.

Vern is survived by his children, Pat (Tom) Fleege, Diane O'Shea, Steve Kuhle, Rick (Karen Hartnett) Kuhle, Dan (Claire) Kuhle, Mary Jo (Beaner) Runde, Ron (Carolyn) Kuhle, Kate (Bill) Vickerman, Ken (Jane) Kuhle and Tina (Kimberly Anderson) Kuhle; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a new great-great-grandson; his siblings, Ruth Klein, Edwin (Joyce) Kuhle, Sister Joselda Kuhle, OSF, Bonnie Tranel and Karen (Ed) Buchanan; in-laws, Ione (Ralph) Turman, Joan Hilby, Sister Carol Hilby, OSF, Mary Ann (Paul) Burbach, Jack (Rose) Hilby and Mark Hilby.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Cletus Eckert; daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Jerry Kowalski; grandsons, Adam Runde and Alex Kuhle; brother, Bernard Kuhle; in-laws, Joe Klein, Roger Tranel, Jackie Kuhle, and Margie and Bill Burroughs.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com