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Leone L. Kern Obituary – 11/2/2011


Leone Leta Kern, age 78, of Lester Prairie, died Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, at St. Mary’s Care Center in Winsted.

She was born Nov. 13, 1932, in Stewart, the daughter of LeVern and Myrthel (Roepke) Jaster. Leone was baptized and confirmed in her faith March 12, 1956, by the Rev. William L. Erb at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church parsonage in Lester Prairie.

Leone received her education at a country school in Stewart.

She was united in marriage to Martin Kern June 28, 1950, by the Rev. William L. Erb at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

Leone and Martin made their home on the family farm in rural Lester Prairie. This marriage was blessed with six children, Clifford, David, Earl, Roger, Louise, and Donna. The couple shared 26 years of marriage, until Martin passed away March 19, 1977.

In addition to being a loving homemaker and mother, Leone farmed with her husband until 1977, but still made her home on the farm. She also worked at Radtke Produce in Lester Prairie, and Green Giant in Glencoe.

Leone was a member at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie.

She enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, canning, watching “Wheel of Fortune,” listening to old time music, playing Rummy, and watching and feeding the birds. In her later years, Leone would collect bag string and make balls of string. Her pride and joy was her dog, Fee Fee.

Leone especially cherished the time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Clifford Kern and his wife, Barb; David Kern and his wife, Brenda; Earl Kern and his wife, Elmira; Roger Kern, all of Lester Prairie; and Donna Kern of Nevis; grandchildren Jeremiah Kern and his wife, Lynne, of Winona; Sally Homuth and her husband, Chris, of Burnsville; Ryan Kern and his wife, Patti, of Hutchinson; Joshua Kern of Austin, John Kern and his wife, Jacky, of Westbrook, and Angela Lorentz and her husband, Pat, of Dassel; great-grandchildren Bryana, Ethan, Jared, Jayden, Austin, Alexis, Reese, Henry, Charlie, and Wyatt; nephews, nieces, other relatives, and many friends.

In addition to her husband, Martin, Leone was preceded in death by her parents, LeVern and Myrthel Jaster; daughter Louise Kern; brothers Herman Jaster, Kenneth Jaster, and Roy Jaster; and son-in-law, Steve Vanderlinde.

Funeral services took place Saturday, Nov. 5 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie, with interment in the church cemetery.

The Rev. David Erbel officiated at the services, and Kay Gueningsman was the organist. Special music was provided by Chuck Thiel; “Amazing Grace,” “One Day At A Time,” and “Just A Closer Walk With Thee.” Congregational hymns were “How Great Thou Art,” and “Rock Of Ages.”

Leone’s casket bearers were her grandchildren, Jeremiah Kern, Sally Homuth, Ryan Kern, Joshua Kern, John Kern, and Angela Lorentz .

Arrangements were by the Paul-McBride Funeral Chapel of Lester Prairie. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.hantge.com; click on Obituaries/Guest Book.

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