Patricia Ann Kern passed away on Monday, May 24, 2021 at the Redbud
Village in Plainville, KS, at the age of 79. She was born on April 24,
1942 in Hays, KS 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, TX, and David Kern of Colby, KS; sisters,
Pam (Richard) Young of AR, and Gladys (Ken) Schoo of MO; 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 AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville. Visitation will
be held on Thursday at the funeral home from 3PM until 8PM with a Vigil
Service at 7PM.
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.