Don Kern, 76, of Stronghurst, IL, died Monday, May 18, 2015, at the McGraw Hospice Center in Jacksonville, FL.
Born January 25, 1939, in Denmark, IA, he was the son of Kenneth and Emma Pearl Schideman Kern. On June 17, 1972, he married Linda Shute at Messiah Lutheran Church in Burlington.
Don was a foreman for the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, a self employed carpenter/contractor, and bought and sold rental properties.
He was a 1957 graduate of Denmark Academy in Denmark, Iowa.
He enjoyed fishing, planting trees, gardening, playing dominos, metal detecting, and wintering in St. Mary’s, GA. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Linda; one son, Wyatt (Mary) Kern of Waterloo; one daughter, Kim (Todd) House of Fort Madison; one step-daughter, Stephanie Shute of Burlington; one step-son, Scott (Lynda) Shute of Rotunda West, FL; nine grandchildren, Stephanie (Chris) Gray of MO, Nick (Amber) Kern of Waterloo, Jarett (Shannon) Walker of Burlington, Brandie Livermore of Stronghurst, IL, Jade (Aaron) Lotzow of Burlington, Brent Gall of Port Charlotte, FL, Annette Kern of Waterloo, Ethan Allen of North Liberty, Erick Hanson of Denver, CO, Wyatt Kern, Jr., Levi Kern, and Lucas Kern, all of Waterloo; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one sister, and two grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM Saturday, May 30, 2015, at Thielen Funeral Home.
The memorial service for Mr. Kern will be 10:30 AM Saturday, May 30, 2015, at Thielen Funeral Home with Aaron Lotzow officiating. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Thielen Funeral Home following the service.
Memorials have been established for McGraw Hospice Center in Jacksonville, Florida and Great River Hospice.
Christopher Bryan Corson, 33, of Burlington, Iowa, died on Sunday, May 24, 2015 in a boating accident in Burlington, Iowa.
Born on December 3, 1981 in Burlington, Iowa, he was the son of Barry A. and Donna J. Dietzel Corson.
Chris earned an Associates of Applied Science degree in computer science from Southeastern Community College. Most recently he was an industrial sandblaster and painter. He enjoyed fishing, hunting mushrooms, camping, hiking, music and spending time with his friends. He loved the outdoors and animals, especially his best buddy, “Baggins”.
He is survived by his parents, Barry and Donna Corson of Burlington, Iowa; one brother, Erin Corson of Boulder, Colorado; many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents.
The family will receive friends for a Celebration of Life on Friday, May 29, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Prugh’s Chapel.
Memorials have been established for the Des Moines County Animal Shelter and University of Iowa Eye Research. Condolences may be left at www.prughfuneralservice.com.
