Robert George Kern, Sr.

Robert George Kern, Sr.

Robert “Bob” George Kern, Sr., age 88, of Mankato, died Friday, March 15, 2019 at Hillcrest Healthcare Center in Mankato.

Funeral service will be held at 11am, Saturday, March 23, 2019 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (2101 Lor Ray Drive, North Mankato, MN 56003) with visitation starting at 9am. Military honors provided by the Mankato Area Veterans Memorial Rifle Squad will follow the service. Burial will be at Garden City Cemetery. Please share a memory of Bob with his family at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Bob was born September 22, 1930 in Faribault to George Louis and Emma Caroline Wilhelmine (Spitzack) Kern. As a student, Bob was a gifted athlete, lettering in football, wrestling, and track. He graduated from Faribault High School in 1950. On June 30, 1950, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged on November 9, 1953. He was united in marriage to Violet Gilman on September 9, 1955 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Faribault. They were blessed with four sons. He enjoyed coaching his children’s Babe Ruth baseball team and playing fast pitch softball in Faribault.

Before relocating to Mankato in 1968, Bob worked for eight years with the Faribault Police Department. In Mankato, he worked as a carpenter for over 25 years, completing many projects at Minnesota State University. In his spare time, Bob loved woodworking, telling stories and jokes, fishing trips to Canada, watching his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, and spending time with his family at summer BBQs.

He is survived by his wife, Violet Kern of Mankato; three sons, Michael Kern of Windom, John (Joan) Kern of Algona, IA, and Robert (Stefanie) Kern, Jr. of West Corvina, CA; ten grandchildren, Tucker Kern, Mesa (Dustin) Groen, Christopher (Jessica) Kern, Emily (Michael) Elston, Benjamin (Alyse) Kern, Mackenzie (Jonas) Hallquist, Alexa Kern, Connor Kern, Victoria Kern, and Shelby Kern; ten great-grandchildren, Alika Groen, Fletcher Groen, Caden Weber, Gavin Weber, Harlow Violet Kern, Ellie Elston, Maleah Elston, Michael Elston, Kenra Kern, and Leif Hallquist; sister, Inez Bjorkland; brother, David (Christine) Kern; daughter-in-law, Jenny Kern-Anderson; and previous daughters-in-law, Page Kern and Teresa Skobba.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Esther Kern; son, Thomas Kern; and sisters, Elta Kern and Audrey (George) Inman.