Kermit Kenneth KOERNER

KOERNER, LAU, BRIDGES, RIDDER, GELNER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/21/2009 at 05:07:07

Mason City Globe Gazette
December 27, 1995

KLEMME, IA -- Kermit Kenneth Koerner, 85, son of Albert and Lillie (Lau) Koerner, was born Jan. 27, 1910, in Klemme. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the United Methodist Church, Klemme, with the Rev. Jerry Robertson officiating. Burial will be in the Ell Township Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Klemme V.F.W. Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at the Tenold Funeral Home, Klemme, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Kermit's parents operated the Koerner Telephone Company from 1901-1927. He helped with the business as long as he was at home. Kermit graduated in 1927 and enrolled in college in Ames. After college, he worked for the Rock Island Railroad as a track repairman until he enlisted in the Army as an airplane mechanic. Kermit returned to Klemme and helped at the Slippery Elm Golf Course and enjoyed playing golf. While in Klemme, he lived with his parents and helped his dad on the farm. They had a dairy and delivered milk in Klemme. After living in Klemme, Kermit moved to California. He worked as a grounds keeper for the California School System for a few years. He returned to Klemme and lived in the Klemme Apartments. Kermit enjoyed walking and for a few years he walked at least eight miles a day. In 1994, Kermit suffered a stroke and never fully recovered, but still maintained his love for life. He died on Saturday (Dec. 23, 1995) at the Belmond Community Hospital. He leaves to cherish his memory, his sisters, Dolores Ridder, Valeria Bridges, and Nova Gelner, and brother, Gerald, all of Klemme. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents.