Leona Kern

Leona Kern, 85, of Faulkton, passed away Sunday, May 8, 2016 at the Faulkton Senior Living.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 12, 2016 at the United Church of Faulkton with Pastor Bill Hoffman presiding. Burial will follow in the Faulkton Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Leona Hulda Stoecker was born April 2, 1931 to Henry and Emma (Retzer) Stoecker in rural McPherson County, SD. She attended grade school at a country school in McPherson County, receiving an 8^th grade education.

Leona lived at home until she was 25, and then she lived with her sister, LuVina, for a year. In 1956 she moved to Faulkton and worked at the hospital as a nurse’s aide. While working there a nurse friend of hers introduced her to Derald Kern. They were married on February 16, 1958. They lived on the Kern family farm until she moved into the Faulkton Healthcare Center in 2009.

In 1976 Leona started a small greenhouse that Derald built on the side of their home. It grew from there to four more greenhouses. She loved working with plants. In 1980, Leona and Derald started a Watkins business.

Leona was a member of the Eastern Star and of the United Church of Faulkton. She helped teach the preschool classes for a number of years, and she was also a circle member. Leona helped with horticulture entries at achievement days for many years.

Leona’s life will be cherished by her husband of 58 years, Derald of Faulkton; her children: David of Sioux Falls, Diana Jons of Colome, Darwin (Kyra) of Aberdeen and Daniel of Faulkton; five grandchildren: Coral (Joey) Simon, Hunter Kern, Heather (Josh) Kitzan, Paul Jons, and Curt Jons; three great grandchildren: Isabella and Tristine Simon and Isen Kitzan; and two siblings: Loven (Shirley) Stoecker and LuVina (Richard) Van Beck, all of Aberdeen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Lorrina; brother-in-law, Milbert and one infant brother.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Leona’s arrangements.