Kathryn "Kay" Kern

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Kathryn “Kay” Kern, 77, of Moorhead, MN, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the Ecumen Evergreens home in Moorhead, MN

Kathryn “Kay” Rose Turner was born September 7, 1945, to Elwin and Merlin (Peschl) Turner in St. Cloud, MN.   She was raised in St. Cloud where she attended grade school and the St. Cloud Cathedral High School.  On February 23, 1963, Kay was united in marriage to Kenneth Kern at St. John Cantius Catholic Church in St. Cloud.  

Kay and Ken first lived in St. Cloud before moving to the Fargo-Moorhead area and finally settling in Moorhead where they raised their family.  Kay worked at J.C. Chumley’s as a cook for over 23 years building many lifelong friendships and a place to find a good homemade lunch every day. In the years after her retirement, she spent her time with Ken taking car rides together around the state, playing cards with the card group, enjoying the family get togethers with the grand kids, and keeping up with the flowers she would plant in the spring until his passing on November 16, 2015.  In 2019, Kay moved to Ecumen Evergreens where she resided until the Lord called her home.

Kay supported her children/grandchildren with the affection of Christ as a devout Catholic and member of St. Francis ed Sales Church in Moorhead.  

One of Kay’s greatest joys was spending time with her family whether it was cooking a hearty meal for the grandsons or baking with her granddaughters. One thing for sure is when the grandchildren left to go home, they always had a hand scooped ice cream cone from grandma. 

She is survived by her children, Kevin (AnnaMarie) Kern, East Grand Forks, MN, Rob Kern, Sabin, MN, Karen (Wes) Enkers, Doran, MN, Philip (Sue) Kern, and Keith “Greaser” Kern, both of Moorhead, and Mike (Stephanie) Kern, West Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Logan (Sarah), Nolan (Nadia), Katie, Ben, Robbie (Brittni), Scott (Anna), Aaron, Kelsey (Josh), Jon (Ruth Safi), Dillon (McKenzie), Erika, Josie, Morgan, Dallas (Angel), Kailey and Parker; great-grandchildren, Arlo, Ophelia, Cooper, Paislee, Rhett, Haddie, Lida, Willow, Hank, Conway, Gordon, Eddie and Kyluh; sisters, Sue (Russ) Hayden, Chicago, IL, Nancy Turner, Willmar, MN, and Donna (Mike) McDowell, Becker, MN; brother, Elwin Jr. (Koren) Turner, Sherburne, MN; sister-in-law, Linda Kern, Elk River, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews.  

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ken; son, Rich; sisters, Chrysanne, Marlys, Alyce and Mary; and brother, John. 

Kay’s family would also like to give special thanks to the staff at Ecumen Evergreens and Corey and staff with Hospice of the Red River Valley for the superior care that they gave her. Kay started as a patient, and by the end, they were family within the facility.

Memorials may be directed to Sanford’s Children’s Hospital or Hospice of the Red River Valley.                                   

A Visitation for Kay will be Sunday, May 21, 2023, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM with a 5:00 PM Prayer Service, at Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead. 

Her Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM, Monday, May 22, 2023, in St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Moorhead. 

The burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery, Moorhead. 

(Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN)