Patricia Ann Kern

Patricia Ann Kern, age 79, passed away on Monday, May 24, 2021 at the Redbud Village in Plainville.

She was born on April 24, 1942 in Hays, Kan., to Frank and Minifee (Baltzell) Runyan. Patricia was a lifelong resident of Rooks County. She attended and graduated from Plainvile High School with the class of 1960.

Pat was attending a movie in Plainville, sitting on the balcony, when a young Robert Kern caught her eye. She looked over at her friend and said, “I’m gonna marry that boy one day”, and low and behold, the couple were united in marriage on June 5, 1960 in Plainville. They were blessed with three boys: Robert Jr., Paul, and David.

Pat wore many hats as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. If she was not assisting Robert managing the Kern Stores, running the Kern Cafe and raising the boys, she was busy with the Coffee Girls, Palco Pride, and camping with her family. Pat loved Elvis and country music. If she had the chance to relax, she would watch a western. John Wayne was her favorite. She loved to work a crossword, sew, and screen-print shirts. Pat belonged to the St. Ann’s Catholic Church until it closed and then attended St. Joseph’s in Damar.

Pat had a deep love and devotion for her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and family. Her great love and faith in God was not only a constant source of strength for herself, but also for all who knew her. May she now finally rest without pain and stand without blemish and watch over those she leaves behind.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Minifee Runyan; and brother-in-law Francis Kern.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Robert Kern Jr. of Palco, Paul Kern of Dallas, Texas, and David Kern of Colby; sisters, Pam (Richard) Young of Arkansas and Gladys (Ken) Schoo of Missouri.; four grandchildren: Krissen (Michael) Hamm, Bradley Kern, Mallory Kern, and Miranda Kern; and six great-grandchildren: Jason, Travis, Atticus, Michael, Joe, and Sophie.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 28, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Plainville.

Memorials are suggested to Redbud Village or Palco USD 269 and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St., Plainville, KS 67663.