Donald Kerner

1937 - 2026

Donald Kerner

June 17, 1937 - February 6, 2026

Donald Dean Kerner was born June 17, 1937, to Oscar and Olena (Klundt) Kerner at home near Gregory, S.D. He helped his parents on the farm until he and his brother, James, moved to Illinois. They worked with local farmers until 1960, when Don was drafted into the army.

Don married the love of his life, Patsy Jo Flack, on September 4, 1960. Following Don's basic training in Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. They spent the next two years in Fort Lee, Va., fulfilling Don's military career. They returned to Illinois, where they purchased a farm and Don began working at John Deere Harvesters in Moline, Ill., alongside raising hogs, sheep, and farming. Don retired from John Deere after 30 years.

Don and Patsy had many years of enjoyment. They enjoyed square dancing, exhibiting garden produce and flowers in local fairs, traveling to special places throughout the country, and enjoyed the winter months in Florida. Don lost his soulmate, Patsy, in 2007. As the years went by, Don continued to enjoy his retirement at community outings and the Florida winters with a close friend, Edith Meyer.

In September 2023, as Don's health continued to decline, he moved back to South Dakota to be closer to his siblings. He resided in Silver Threads Assisted Living for several months before entering the Avera Rosebud County Care Center. The Lord peacefully called Don home on February 6, 2026.

Don is preceded in death by his wife, Patsy; parents, Oscar and Olena Kerner; brothers, James (sister-in-law Wanda), Eugene, Joseph, and Vernon Kerner.

He is survived by one brother, Curtis (Kari) Kerner; sisters, Verna Cernetisch, and Janice (Gary) Travnicek; close friend, Edith Meyer; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Donald Kerner, age 88, of Gregory, S.D., formerly of New Windsor, Ill., will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church, New Windsor, Ill., on Friday, February 13, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be held one hour prior from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in the Grace Lutheran Cemetery, Ophiem, Ill. The Peterson-Wallin-Knox Funeral Home in Alpha and Woodhull are handling all arrangements in Illinois.

There will be a prayer service on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home, Gregory, S.D. Visitation is one hour prior to each service.

Peterson-Wallin-Knox Funeral Homes

Alpha and Woodhull, Illinois

(309) 582-2315