| Graduation Year | Class of 1969 |
| Date of Passing | Dec 01, 2011 |
| About | Posted: Saturday, December 3, 2011 5:00 pm John P. Kern, 60, of Rochester, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 1, at Seasons Hospice following a 9-month-long battle with pancreatic cancer. John was born March 2, 1951, in Rochester, Minn., to Philip and Irene (Gilbertson) Kern. He graduated from Mayo High School in 1969 and went on to the University of Minnesota. John was an Independent Insurance Broker for 34 years, most recently as the owner of Valley Network Administrators. John had a great passion for walleye fishing, especially on Leech Lake in northern Minnesota, Minnesota Wild hockey and Vikings football. He was proud of being first soprano for the Rochester Boys Choir and being a member of the advisory committee for UCare. John was full of life; he very much enjoyed gardening and canning his own vegetables. He was very involved in exercising at the Rochester Athletic Club (RAC). John suffered from a traumatic brain injury in 2008 following a car accident. He was an active member and peer mentor of the Brian Injury Association of MN, and participated in three of the Walk for Thought fundraisers. He is survived by his mother, Irene O. Kern, sister, Holly (Kern) Ridd, his children, son, Christopher W. Kern, and daughter, Chelsa G. Kern. Also two grandchildren, two nieces, and a grand-niece and nephew. He is also survived by a number of cousins and many dear friends. John was a lifelong member of Christ United Methodist Church of Rochester. He is preceded in death by his father, Philip W. Kern, and his older brother, James Kern. |
