Waldemar Herbert "Pete" Kern

Waldemar Herbert Kern, better known as "Pete", of Waverly, MN passed away on February 8th, 2026. He was at home, surrounded by his family and thankfully missed the Super Bowl halftime show.

Pete was born November 23, 1942, to Edward and Lenora Kern at their family farm near Lester Prairie, MN. Pete served 4 years in the United States Airforce working on the Minute Man Missile Defense Systems in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He met his wife Gretta at the dance hall in town there. She said "He was the only one there that could dance, and he was a farmer, so I thought, what the heck…" And the rest is history.

Pete and Gretta moved back to Minnesota and raised seven kids on a small farm outside of Waverly. The kids ran amok chasing chickens, riding bikes, and playing in the woods. Most game wardens knew Pete by spotting an overcrowded rowboat full of children getting their fishing lines and cane poles tangled. Pete was first and foremost a farmer raising cattle and chickens. He was a man of many talents. Early in his career he worked for Western Airlines as a baggage weight and balance manager. His family was frequently blessed with many interesting items that fell out of broken freight containers. Pete also worked as a machinist, a beekeeper, a cabinet maker, a landscaper, a construction worker, an electrician, a plumber, a butcher, a baker, and a candle stick maker. He also enjoyed reading Louis L'Amour western paperback novels, black coffee, cigarettes, polka music, and was an avid auction goer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his youngest daughter Vanessa, and his brothers Wallace and Warren. He is survived by his wife, Gretta, of 59 years, his sisters, Beatrice, and Barb, his children Travis, Leah, Danita, Wanda, Tanya, and Wyatt, and his grandchildren, Yuri, Garrett, Cade, Ivan, Carmendi, Flynn, and Dorothea.

Pete's memorial service will be held at Chilson Funeral Home in Winsted on Saturday, February 14th from 1-4 P.M.

The Chilson Funeral Home in Winsted is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.chilsonfuneralhome.com