Thomas Kerns

THOMAS KERNS

Edgewood

Thomas Kerns, 82, of Edgewood, Iowa, passed away after an extended illness on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, at his residence. Tom was born on June 17, 1936, in Fairbank, the son of Floyd and Iva (Greening) Kerns. Tom attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Fairbank. At age 17, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving from 1954 to 1957.

On June 21, 1958, Tom was united in marriage to Joan Yeager at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bellevue. Four children were born to this union. The couple farmed for five years west of Oelwein and then for three years near Edgewood. In 1966, they purchased the Edgewood Locker. During that time, Tom was able to see the locker grow from one full-time and one part-time employee to more than 50 full-time and dozens of part-time and seasonal employees. He served four years as the regional director for the Iowa Meat Processors. Tom was proud to watch the Edgewood Locker become a three-generation business.

Tom served as Scout master for Troop 28 in Edgewood form 1970 to 1982. He helped many young men become Eagle Scouts. In 1975, he received the District Award of Merit and, in 1980, the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America. Tom was an active member of the community. In 1975, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Edgewood Jaycees. From 1975 to 1985, he was on the Edgewood City Council. Tom also was a 50-year member of the Edgewood American Legion. He was a longtime member of St. Mark Catholic Church.

Tom loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and ice fishing. He especially loved hunting mushrooms in the spring and ginseng in the fall. Tom loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Joan Kerns of Edgewood; his four children, Terry (Jody) Kerns of Edgewood, Jim (Jody) Kerns of Edgewood, Judy (Ray) Scott of Marion and Rob (Janelle) Kerns of Iowa City; 14 grandchildren, Luke (Brooke), Katie (Drew) Anderson, Baili (Brad) Maurer, Payson, Maddy, Emma, Noelle, Ava, Amber Scott, Allison Scott, Mikinna, Cole, Teya, and Tommy; three great-grandchildren, Cora and Ada Kerns and Ellie Anderson; four siblings, Sally (Dennis) Harkins of Phoenix, Ariz., Iva Mae Meyer of Oelwein, Jeanette Stanek of Hazleton and Roger (Lucille) Kerns of Fairbank; and one sister-in-law, Diann Kerns of Oelwein.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Gen Lubbs and Geraldine Day; one brother, Charles Kerns; and four brothers-in-law, Gene Stanek, Elmer Day, Larry Lubbs and Jerry Meyer.

Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.

Mass of Resurrection: 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at St. Mark Catholic Church in Edgewood, with the Rev. John Haugen presiding.

Visitation: 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23, at St. Mark Catholic Church in Edgewood, where there will be a 7:30 p.m. Scripture service. Friends also may call one hour before the service at the church on Saturday.

Interment with military rites: St. Mark Cemetery, Edgewood, Iowa.