Patricia Ann McKern

1948 - 2024

Patricia Ann McKern
Patricia "Patty" Ann McKern, age 75, passed away on March 15, 2024, at her Kettle Falls, WA home. Patty was born on August 19, 1948, in Colville, WA the daughter of George Hershel and Ethel Mae (Myers) Kent.
Patty was raised near Kettle Falls, WA where she attended school. In 1966, she graduated as a twelve-years senior from Kettle Falls High School. She then began working as a secretary for the U.S. Forest Service where she met Dennis McKern. They began dating and on Sept. 16, 1967, exchanged wedding vows in Colville. Patty and Dennis soon began a family with the birth of their son, Rodney. Soon to follow, they welcomed their first daughter, Katie, and 5 years later, their second daughter, Anna. Patty worked in the home while her children were small, as well as sharing much of her time as a community volunteer at the Kettle River Grange. She had a heart for any child and her open home policy offered warm meals and a place to stay for so many. Over the years, Patty worked at a variety of local businesses including, EZ Knit, Buena Vista Nursing Home, Stevens County EMT, and the Boyds Tavern. She loved to meet and work with people no matter where she was and always looked forward to spending time at home with her family.
Patty was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a team mom, she helped with travel to practices, kept score, attended games, and supported her young athletes. She also enjoyed going camping, swimming, picking huckleberries, and spending time outdoors with her family. Patty loved babies and was present for the births of 13 new family members. She was gifted with sewing needles and thread and loved to teach these skills to all ages. She made quilts and quilt starts for all her great grandchildren, those present and those she knew would someday come and created beautiful needlework and embroidery.
Her talents also included music and she loved to sing and play the piano. She had the ability to play any song by ear and created many great memories playing songs for her family and singing Karaoke in Orient.
A touch on the lovingly stubborn side, Patty held strongly to the standards and expectations she believed in. She also offered her opinion freely and at times with spunk and a pointed delivery that left no question as to how she felt. Her nature was to always offer the help and support others needed.
Patty was involved in her community as a lifelong volunteer. Her memberships included the Kettle River Grange, Ferry County Conservation District, Orient Community Church Choir, Sweet Adelines and several sewing clubs. She was also actively involved in the Ferry County Fair, N. E. Washington Fair and Hunters Fair as a volunteer and judge for sewing and needlework entries. Patty had a strong faith in God and was secure and at peace in the knowledge of where she was spending eternity.
Patty was preceded in death by her parents, Hershel and Ethel Kent; brother, Larry Kent, and her sister, Janis Jensen.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 57 years, Dennis McKern, at the home; son, Rod McKern (Ann) of Kettle Falls, WA; daughters, Katie Paulson (Rob) of Clarkston, WA, Anna Vining (Josh) of Kettle Falls, WA; grandchildren, Dalton McKern (Bre), Kate (Carson) Gumm, Shelby (D.J.) Hawes, Garrett Paulson, Blake Vining and Dylan Vining; Great-grandchildren, Mason, Aubree, Andrew, Videtta, Viktor, and Grey; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of extended family.
The memorial service for Patricia A. McKern will begin at 11:00 am on May 4th, 2024, at the Kettle River Grange near Barstow, WA. A potluck will follow. Patty's wish was that everyone would bring fresh cut flowers from their gardens to the memorial. Memorial contributions may be given to the Providence Healthcare Foundation. Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with care and cremation.