VERONA - We lost a special man on March 4, 2026. Vance was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend whose kindness and humor touched many lives. He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 52 years, Jean; his sons, Prentice (Bridget) and Reid (John); his daughters, Cassandra (Jeff) Maier and Marloe (Steve) Esch; his grandchildren, Benjamin, Skyler, Kaeli and Kendra; and his great-granddaughter, Isla. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.

Born in Iowa Falls, Iowa, Vance spent most of his childhood in southern Wisconsin and graduated from Belleville High School. He dedicated his career to the skilled trades, working first as a blacksmith at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before becoming a steamfitter. He was a proud member of the Steamfitters Local Union 394 and taught welding for many years through Madison Area Technical College.

Vance and Jean married in 1973 and set to work building a life together on a 6.5-acre homestead in the Town of Verona shortly after. A man of many talents, Vance loved working with his hands and had a remarkable ability to build or repair almost anything. His family home reflected his craftsmanship through custom woodwork, carpentry and hand-carved pieces of art created over the years.

Vance had a great love for nature and spent much of his time outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, gardening and landscaping, and tending the many animals on his property. As a Master Gardener, Vance took special pride in his flower and vegetable gardens and in maintaining the wooded trails on his land. In retirement, he volunteered his time and expertise to the trail development and restoration of native plants in what would become Donald County Park in the Town of Springdale. Vance was also a history buff, and his curiosity about local history led him to research and write two works, “An Early History of the White Crossing Area” and “Verona Area Men in the Civil War,” which he distributed to neighbors and made available to the community through copies donated to the Verona Public Library.

Vance will be remembered by family and friends as a hard-working, kind-hearted and sincere family man with a handsome smile and a mischievous sense of humor. He loved a good joke, never passed up the chance for a bit of good-natured teasing and had a knack for getting a chuckle out of just about anybody. He took pride in his family, his home and his career. Vance will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him, each of us carrying our own special “Vance” stories that will keep his memory alive. He will be greatly, eternally, missed.

Vance will be laid to rest in peace at the Town of Dunn Burying Ground in McFarland, Wis., surrounded by immediate family.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations may be made in his memory to support his love of nature (Donald County Park), animals (Dane County Humane Society) and learning (Verona Public Library). Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg

Funeral & Cremation Care

2950 Chapel Valley Road

(608) 442-5002

Vance Harlan Mannetter

November 28, 1942 - March 04, 2026

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