Ralph Kern, 77

Ralph Kern, age 77, of rural Waseca County, passed away on May 18, 2025, at MCHS-St. Mary’s in Rochester, surrounded by his family. He was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather.

Ralph was born to John and Doris (Chavie) Kern on Valentine’s Day in 1948 at the Faribault Hospital. He spent most of his childhood growing up on his parents’ farm just NE of Owatonna. As a young man, he enjoyed horseback riding and 4H. He attended a one room country schoolhouse until fourth grade and then St. Mary’s Elementary, eventually graduating from Marian High School in 1966.     

In the spring of 1966, Ralph met Shirley Pechacek, and they were married the next year at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Owatonna. They eventually purchased a farm north of Waseca where they raised their daughter, Angela and son, Erik.  

Ralph was not one to sit still. Whether it was farming, construction, fixing, or any kind of project, it didn’t matter. The harder he worked, the more he loved it. He also loved to read.  It didn’t matter if it was the Hoard’s Dairyman, The Farm Journal or a western. However, his greatest love were his grandchildren Will, Wyatt, Emily, and Addie.  

Ralph is survived by his loving wife Shirley; his children, Angela (Bill) Storch and Erik (Krista) Kern; grandchildren, Will Storch, Wyatt (Gracie) Storch, Emily Kern, and Addie Kern; siblings Ron (Peggy) Kern, Joyce Sammon, Marge Kern, Mary (Ed) Zuranski, Sharon (Jim) Gray, Marty (Cindy) Kern, and Ken (Lisa) Kern; in-laws, Mary Quaintance, Mona (Gary) Edgar, Terry (Yvonne) Pechacek, Marlin (Leann) Stoltz, Milo Stoltz, Roberta Rodriguez, Eddie Pechacek, and Danny Pechacek; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Doris Kern; siblings, infant John Kern, Kathy Kern, and Harland Kern; father-in-law Robert Pechacek; brothers-in-law, Clem Sammon and Richard Quaintance; and sister-in-law Renee Kern.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. at the State Street Chapel (711 N. State Street) of Dennis Steffel Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca. Funeral services will be on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (111 Fourth Street NW) in Waseca.  Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Waterville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Sacred Heart Catholic Church.