Ralph J. Kern, 89, of Kewaskum, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2008, at Ivy Manor in Campbellsport.
He was born on November 21, 1918, in Hartford, the son of the late John and Rose (Gitter) Kern. He attended St. Kilian Catholic School in Hartford, graduating from eighth grade in 1931. On October 23, 1943, he was united in marriage to Cordell Hurth at St. Kilian Catholic Church in St. Kilian.
The couple farmed in the Kewaskum area for about 25 years and then moved to the village of Kewaskum, where he was employed by Miller Furniture until his retirement. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, where he served as an usher.
Ralph enjoyed the Morning Coffee Club with his friends Elmer Halen, Al Zehren, Don Seil, and previously (now deceased) Lester Strobel, Maurice Hovland, David Backhaus and Lee Schaub at Campbell’s Village Inn and the Gateway Restaurants. He also enjoyed playing cards, dining out, traveling with family and Packer football.
Survivors include his loving wife and best friend of 65 years, Cordell; a son, Robert R. Kern of Orion, Michigan; four loving grandchildren, Tari L. Kern, DVM and her husband Christopher Moceri of Chesterfield, Michigan, Kristine Kern of Detroit, Michigan, Matthew Kern of Ypsilanti, Michigan and Jonathan Kern (fiancé Emily) of Chicago, Illinois; a sister, Verna Herriges of West Bend; a sister-in-law, Florence Bonlender of Kewaskum; six nieces Josie (Tom) Gobel, DDS of Fort Atkinson, Shirley Malfroid of Sussex, Jeannette (Larry) Weber of Hartford, JoAnne (Ray) Sippel of Waucousta, Susan Batzler of St. Kilian and Donna (Mark) Laubenstein of Saukville, other relatives and friends.
In additional to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his in-laws, Peter and Susan Hurth; his sisters-in-law, Mary Dietenberger, Marcella Batzler and Dolores Boegel; his brothers-in-law, John Dietenberger, Joseph Batzler, Reinhold Boegel, Carl Herriges and Reynold Bonlender and a nephew, Gerald Batzler.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Ralph was held at noon on Saturday, November 22, 2008, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 331 Main Street in Kewaskum. Father Edwin Kornath officiated and burial followed in the parish cemetery.
Relatives and friends called at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorial contributions to Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Kaizad Machhi, Dr. Andrew Guminski, St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Crossings at Cedar Community and Ivy Manor Care Home of Campbellsport.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ralph J. Kern, please visit our flower store.
He was born on November 21, 1918, in Hartford, the son of the late John and Rose (Gitter) Kern. He attended St. Kilian Catholic School in Hartford, graduating from eighth grade in 1931. On October 23, 1943, he was united in marriage to Cordell Hurth at St. Kilian Catholic Church in St. Kilian.
The couple farmed in the Kewaskum area for about 25 years and then moved to the village of Kewaskum, where he was employed by Miller Furniture until his retirement. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, where he served as an usher.
Ralph enjoyed the Morning Coffee Club with his friends Elmer Halen, Al Zehren, Don Seil, and previously (now deceased) Lester Strobel, Maurice Hovland, David Backhaus and Lee Schaub at Campbell’s Village Inn and the Gateway Restaurants. He also enjoyed playing cards, dining out, traveling with family and Packer football.
Survivors include his loving wife and best friend of 65 years, Cordell; a son, Robert R. Kern of Orion, Michigan; four loving grandchildren, Tari L. Kern, DVM and her husband Christopher Moceri of Chesterfield, Michigan, Kristine Kern of Detroit, Michigan, Matthew Kern of Ypsilanti, Michigan and Jonathan Kern (fiancé Emily) of Chicago, Illinois; a sister, Verna Herriges of West Bend; a sister-in-law, Florence Bonlender of Kewaskum; six nieces Josie (Tom) Gobel, DDS of Fort Atkinson, Shirley Malfroid of Sussex, Jeannette (Larry) Weber of Hartford, JoAnne (Ray) Sippel of Waucousta, Susan Batzler of St. Kilian and Donna (Mark) Laubenstein of Saukville, other relatives and friends.
In additional to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his in-laws, Peter and Susan Hurth; his sisters-in-law, Mary Dietenberger, Marcella Batzler and Dolores Boegel; his brothers-in-law, John Dietenberger, Joseph Batzler, Reinhold Boegel, Carl Herriges and Reynold Bonlender and a nephew, Gerald Batzler.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Ralph was held at noon on Saturday, November 22, 2008, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 331 Main Street in Kewaskum. Father Edwin Kornath officiated and burial followed in the parish cemetery.
Relatives and friends called at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorial contributions to Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Kaizad Machhi, Dr. Andrew Guminski, St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Crossings at Cedar Community and Ivy Manor Care Home of Campbellsport.