Donald Kerner

A funeral service for Donald Dean Kerner, age 88, formerly of Gregory, SD, was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 13, 2026, at Calvary Lutheran Church in New Windsor, IL, with Stacey Christianson officiating. Music was provided by Mary Bischoff, organist. Linda Costa and Rubie Watson were in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Doug Kerner, Randy Kerner, Chad Travnicek, Jason Cernetisch, Gregory Kerner, Damon Cernetisch, Clay Kerner, and Kelly Kerner. Honorary casket bearers were Nicholas Kerner, Michelle Heal, Tammy Lockaby, Kay Weller, Robin Cushing, Tonya Kerner, Lorena Wenger, Darin Kerner, Chris Cernetisch, Tracy Thomas, Amanda Kerner, Troy Travnicek, Colleen Singh, and Katie Straatmeyer.

Interment was at Grace Lutheran Cemetery in Ophiem, IL, with military honors conferred by the local Legion and the National Honors team. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Donald Dean Kerner was born June 17, 1937, to Oscar and Olena (Klundt) Kerner at home near Gregory, SD. He helped his parents on the farm until he and his brother, James, moved to Illinois. They worked with local farmers until 1960, when Don was drafted into the army.

Don married the love of his life, Patsy Jo Flack, on September 4, 1960. Following Don’s basic training in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, they spent the next two years in Fort Lee Virginia fulfilling Don’s military career. They returned to Illinois, where they purchased a farm, and Don began working at John Deere Harvesters in Moline, IL, along with raising hogs, sheep, and farming. Don retired from John Deere after 30 years.

Don and Patsy had many years together. They enjoyed square dancing, exhibiting garden produce and flowers in local fairs, traveling to special places throughout the country, and spent the winter months in Florida. Don lost Patsy in 2007. As the years went by Don continued to enjoy his retirement at community outings and the Florida winters with a close friend, Edith Meyer.

In September 2023, as Don’s health continued to decline, he moved back to South Dakota to be closer to his siblings. He resided in Silver Threads Assisted Living for several months before entering the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center. He died peacefully on February 6, 2026.

He is survived by one brother Curtis (Kari) Kerner, sisters Verna Cernetisch, and Janice (Gary) Travnicek, close friend Edith Meyer, and many nieces and nephews.

Don is preceded in death by his wife Patsy, parents Oscar and Olena Kerner, brothers James and wife Wanda, Eugene, Joseph, and Vernon Kerner.