LeMars Sentinel, LeMars, (Plymouth), Iowa, Tuesday, September 12, 1911, Page 1, Column 3:
CUSTODIAN HAS GONE
HAD CHARGE OF CLEVELAND PARK FOR MANY YEARS
EXCELLENT WORK FOR POSTERITY
Christian Kern, an Old and Highly Respected Citizen of LeMars,
Passes to His Reward After an Illness of Several Weeks
Christian Kern died at his home on north Clarke street Friday, September 8th, at nine o'clock after an illness of several weeks.
Mr. Kern was born September 14, 1833, in Bodenhein, in Hesendormsteid, Germany, being nearly seventy-nine years old at the time of his death. Leaving his father, mother, brothers and sisters, he came to America when nineteen years of age to seek a new home, his only relative in this country being a cousin. He resided one winter in Elmira, N. Y. The following spring he moved to Galena, Ill. In 1853 he was united in marriage to Miss Fredrica Ayer. Five children were born to them, John, of Galena, Ill.; Mrs. Mary Heller, of Dubuque, Iowa; Mrs. Lena McLaughlin and Chris, of Minneapolis, and Mrs. John Hoffman, who died in South Dakota nineteen years ago. Mr. Kern's wife died in 1865. In 1866 he was again united in marriage to Miss Mary McCrea, of Galena, Ill. This union was blessed with six children, one of whom died in infancy. Those living are, Mrs. George Simpson, Mrs. John Donahue, W. A. (sic--W. C.) and D. R. Kern, of this city, and H. N. Kern, of White, South Dakota. Mr. Kern has made his home in LeMars since 1885, and [was] well known by nearly everyone. He has been a very robust man until his health began gradually failing all summer, but still he could not be prevailed upon to give up his work until July 19th, when he was too ill to leave the house. He bore his pain uncomplainingly and was always cheerful and patient. He was tenderly cared for during his last illness by his aged wife and children, who deeply mourn a kind, true husband and a loving father.
Mr. Kern was highly respected by all those who knew him. He was custodian of Cleveland Park for several years and much of the beauty and picturesqueness of this pretty place is due to his efforts. He was a most pleasant and kindly neighbor, gifted with a sense of humor and friendly in word and deed.
The funeral was held on Sunday at the First Presbyterian church at two o'clock, services being conducted by the pastor, Rev. C. G. Butler. The pallbearers were I. S. Struble, C. E. Haas, Chris Fissel, Jacob Eberle, Louis Schafer and Claerbout.
H. N. Kern, of White, South Dakota, Mr. and Mrs. John Hoffman and daughter, Margaret, of Fedora, South Dakota, came to attend the funeral.
~link to the obituary of Christian Kern's 2nd wife, Mary McCrea
