Kerndt, Willard F. 1926-2013
KERNDT, GRUBER, MARTI, CARLSON, VAN OORT, SCHEIB
Posted By: Regina Schulte Riesen
Date: 8/26/2013 at 17:23:40
Willard F. Kerndt, 86, of Waukon, IA, died Friday, August 23, 2013. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 27th, at 10:30 AM at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon, with Pastor Grant VanderVelden officiating. Burial will be at Lansing Ridge Cemetery, rural Lansing, IA. Friends may call from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Monday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.
Willard Fremon Kerndt was born on November 5, 1926 in Waukon, IA, the son of Leslie W. Sr. and Irene (Gruber) Kerndt. He was baptized and confirmed at the church in Church, IA, attended Center #2 rural school and graduated from Waukon High School in 1944. Following his schooling, Willard began farming with his dad and brothers. On August 15, 1948 he married Arlene Kathryn Marti at Church, IA. They continued to farm on the family farm running a diversified operation specializing in registered Holstein dairy cattle. Willard received the Distinguished Dairyman Award, several high herd awards, and was named a Pioneer Dairyman for Allamakee County. In 1977 they dispersed the herd. Willard continued farming and also became a DHIA Supervisor. In the mid 1990s they transitioned to organic farming which continues today.
Willard was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church in Waukon where he taught Sunday School and held numerous offices. He was also a member of Gideon International and Farm Bureau and served on the board of directors for Farm Service, Allamakee County Extension Service, and Lansing Ridge Cemetery. Willard was active with the Corner of Hope project and he and Arlene went on mission trips to Haiti and Venezuela. They made numerous trips throughout the world and across the United States. Some of his favorite pastimes were square dancing with Arlene, playing cards, bowling, following baseball, and attending community events. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren and had a special knack for involving them in activities on the farm.
Survivors include his wife Arlene of Waukon; his 6 children: Roger (Claudia) of Clive, IA, Cheryl (Terry) VanOort of Ankeny, IA, Lee (Deb) of Pella, IA, Sheila (Steve) Scheib of Cedar Rapids, IA, Sandy (Jim) Carlson of Grimes, IA, and Gary (Craig) of Lansing; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers: Kenneth (Geraldine) and Leslie Jr. (Ada Marie), both of Waukon; and a brother and sister-in-law Harold (Shirley) Marti of Lansing.
Willard’s grandchildren will serve as casketbearers: Heidi and Jason Kerndt, Sarah Brown, John VanOort, Cory and Adam Kerndt, Kara Goslin, Jon Scheib, Abby Brown and Luke and Emily Carlson.
Martin funeral home
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