FRANCES P. KERN

Frances P. Kern, formerly of Lawrence, KS, passed away December 19, 2010, at Kingswood Manor, Kansas City, MO, with her beloved husband of 61 years by her side. Frankie was born February 24, 1927, to Charles & Eunice Patterson, in Boulder, CO. She grew up in Denver, CO, graduating from East High School, and Denver University, with a degree in Latin American Studies, and a minor in Spanish. While at DU, she was a member of Sigma Kappa, Mortarboard, Interschool Council, Panhellenic Council, Clarion, Coed Journalists, Prospectors and the Ski Club. DU was also where she met and married the love of her life, Stanley A. Kern. Due to the nature of his job with GM, they began a nomadic lifestyle, living in Casper, WY, Houston, TX, King of Prussia, PA, Hingham, MA, Okemos, MI, Leawood, KS, Rochester, MI, Okemos, MI, and finally retiring to Lawrence, KS. In each new city, Frankie put down roots as though she would live there a lifetime, and cultivated friendships which spanned the country and her lifetime. Her volunteer calling included her church in the choir and as a Stephen Minister & Leader; Community Blood Center; League of Women Voters; PTA, Art Museum Docent in K.C., Detroit, and Lawrence; where she was also a member of Friends in Council. In each community, she was involved in garden club, welcome club and golf. Her interests included gardening, travel, swimming, Oriental art, Southwest Native American pottery, music, bird watching, star gazing, history, architecture, as well as archeology, which led her to participate in a dig for a mammoth in Michigan during the early 1980s. Her passion was her family, which includes Stan, and their three children: Pat (Steve), and their children, Josh (Chantal) and Jesse Harlan; Steve (Pat), and their children, Emily (Sven and their children Gavin & Logan) Nelson, Erin (Alex) Brown, and Alex Kern; Pam (Glenn) and their children Aaron, Oliver and Philip Read. She is also survived by her sister, Patricia (Vic) Stamm, Silverton, British Columbia. Please join us in celebrating her life on Thursday, December 30, 2010, 2:00 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church of Lawrence, KS. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to First Presbyterian Church of Lawrence, 2415 Clinton Pkwy., Lawrence, KS 66047, John Knox Village Hospice, 400 NW Murray Rd., Lee's Summit, MO 64081, or the charity of your choice. The family wishes to give heartfelt thanks to Frankie's caregivers through Hospice: Jay, Dennis, Noelle & Wendi, as well as Caroline and Martha from Interim. What each of you provides is a gifting from God.