Althea M. Kern

Althea M. Kern, 78, of Ravenwood, MO, went to her heavenly rest on Saturday, May 24, 2014, at the Heartland Hospital in St. Joseph, MO.

Althea was born near Stanberry, MO, on July 19, 1935, her parents were Theodore Francis and Matilda Cecilia (Walter) Derks, and preceded her in death. She was also preceded by her husband, George V. Kern, in 2007; infant twin brothers, Theodore Francis (T.F.), and Cleodore Phillip (Cleo) Derks, Earl A. Derks, and Walter N. Derks; her grandparents, Phillip and Mary Walter, and Theodore and Johanna Derks; and numerous aunts, and uncles.

Althea attended the Fairview school, then the Clyde school, and graduated from Stanberry High School. She was a farm wife and mother and lived all her life in the Stanberry and Ravenwood, MO, area.

She was a member and attended St. Columba Catholic Church, and was a member of the St. Ann’s Altar Society, Conception Junction, MO.

On May 21, 1955, at the St. Peter’s Catholic Church, in Stanberry, MO, Althea was united in marriage to George Vincent Kern; they farmed together in the Ravenwood area until his death in 2007.

Left to mourn her passing are her children: sons, Phillip (Janice) Kern, Charles (Rena) Kern, and Chris Kern, all of Ravenwood, MO; her sister, Patricia Wells, St, Joseph, MO; her brother, Francis George (Jean) Derks, Evansville, IN; 5 grandchildren, Ryan Joseph (Elizabeth) Kern, Miranda (Jesse) Carroll, Dewey Brantley, Michelle Miller, and Jessie (Candice) Edwards, 13 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at the St. Columba Catholic Church, Conception Junction, MO. The burial will follow at the St. Columba Cemetery, Conception, MO.

A family prayer service will be held at 7:00 PM, Monday, May 26, 2014, at the funeral home.

The family and parish rosary will be at 5:00 PM, Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at the church. Visitation will follow until 7:00 PM.
Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association.

Services are under the direction of the Bram-Danfelt Funeral Home, Maryville, MO. For online condolences and guest book, visit www.bramfuneralhome.com