Helen Lucille Kern

Helen Lucille Kern was born September 2, 1929 on the family farm in Blackhawk County near Voorhies, Iowa, daughter of Robert N. and Mildred M. Stevens Jackson. She received her education in Lincoln Township Country School # 8 and later graduated from Dinsdale High School in May of 1947. On June 17, 1947 she was united in marriage to Marvin G. Kern at the Congregational Church in Reinbeck. Helen and Marvin made their home all their married life in the Voorhies and Traer area. Helen was a farm wife, worked in the soil testing lab in Reinbeck for 11 seasons and also was a clerk at the liquor store in Reinbeck. She was an active member of the Amity Presbyterian Church having served as Elder, Deacon, worship committee member and was the Moderator of the Presbyterian Women of the Church. She also was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 142 in Traer and did volunteer work at the North Tama Schools as crossing guard starting in 1996 for 7 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Marvin in 2001, and a special friend Melvin Reinig. She is survived by her children; Sandy (Ken) Barfels of Reinbeck, Jeanne (Jim) Beenken of Buckingham, Barb (Barry) Bond of LeGrand, Penny (Bill) Anderson, Linda (Ted) Hamer and Curtis (Karen) Kern all of Traer, 15 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren, two brothers Wayne E. (Betty) Jackson of Ames, and Edward G. Jackson of Marshalltown.

Visitation was held at Overton Funeral Home in Traer on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 from 4-7 PM. Service was held at Amity Presbyterian Church rural Reinbeck on Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 11:00 AM. A private family burial will be held at Lincoln Township Cemetery rural Voorhies.