Walter J. Kern, 80, of Le Mars, Iowa passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2017 at Unity Point Health-St. Lukes in Sioux City, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 18, 2017 at All Saints Catholic Parish-St. James Church in Le Mars, Iowa. Fr. Bruce Lawler will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars with military honors conducted by Wasmer Post #241 of the American Legion. Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, September 17, 2017 at St. James Church. A Rosary will be recited at 5:00 p.m. with a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. The family will be present to greet friends from 5-7 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to Mass on Monday.
Walter John Kern was born on February 9, 1937, in Faribault, Minnesota to Andrew and Viola (Brauch) Kern. He graduated from Le Mars High School in 1955. Walt then began a 60 year career in dry cleaning and tailoring.
Walter married Luly Turincio Pimentel on July 29, 1978 in Le Mars, Iowa. Together they owned and operated Ideal Cleaners in Le Mars for 40 years. Walt served in the National Guard for 30 years and was a member of Wasmer Post #241 of the American Legion.
Walt was a member of All Saints Catholic Parish, St. James Church in Le Mars. He was also a member of the Le Mars Sportsman’s Club where he shot trap. Walt was an avid outdoorsman, hunter and conservationist. In his spare time Walt enjoyed gardening, riding his motorcycle, and fishing. He and Luly enjoyed 17 years of retirement spending their winters in Florida and Arizona.
Grateful to have shared his life is his loving wife of 39 years, Luly Kern of Le Mars; two daughters and their husbands, Joyce and Gerry Beal of Tucson, AZ and Sylvia and Steve Paul of Thousand Oaks, CA; grandchildren, Alaire Paul, Joshua Joosten, Jordan (Dorian) Joosten and Joelle Joosten; great-grandchild, Jayla Joosten; a brother, Melvin A. Kern and his special friend, Joan Moritz of Le Mars; a brother-in-law, Bill (Isabel) Turincio of Mexico City; a nephew, Albert and a niece, Valentina; along with friends too numerous to mention.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant brother.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials in Walt’s name may be directed to the American Lung Association or the American Heart Association.
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