December 25, 2024

Alice Elizabeth (Liz) Kern

Alice Elizabeth (Liz) Kern, age 90, of Elkhart, Kansas died Sunday, February 15, 2015 at Morton County Hospital in Elkhart, Kansas.  She was born April 2, 1924 in Optima, Oklahoma the daughter of Imre (Jim) and Lucy Paralee (Archer) Papay.

Liz was the third child of thirteen.  She grew up and attended grade school in Optima.  She attended Guymon High School and graduated from Elkhart High School.  After graduation she worked for local farmers, was a bookkeeper for the Case dealership, and was a Ward Clerk at the Morton County Hospital.  She married Howard Warren Kern on March 17, 1946 in Clayton, New Mexico.  After their marriage, she and Howard worked on their farm and raised their children together.  Liz enjoyed bowling, her friends and spending time with her family.  She was a member of the Women’s VFW Auxiliary, First Church of God, and Hospital Auxiliary.

Survivors include her son, Bradley Joe Kern and wife Susan of Vernal, Utah; daughters, Cinda Merz and husband Donald of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Linda Roberts and husband Curt of Tulsa, Oklahoma; brother, Larry Papay of Greenville, Oklahoma; sister, Joy Foreman of Guymon, Oklahoma; seven grandchildren, Dusty (Amy) Turner, Wendy (Grant) Bailey, Thad (Donna) Brollier, Tucker (Lauren) Brollier, Tessa (Travis) Moss, Savanna (Chase) Davis, Rachel (Don) Tatro; and ten great-grandchildren, Ransom, Cashen, Larkin, Corey, Tristan, Ashtyn, Jack, Luke, Elizabeth, and Tripp. 

Liz is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Howard in 1999; son, Howard (Sonny) Tilden Kern; brothers, James Papay, Emit Papay, Ed Papay, Guy Papay, Kenneth Papay, Roy Papay, Gerald Papay, and Neil Archer; sisters, Ann Papay and Tommie Fern Papay.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at the First Church of God in Elkhart, Kansas with Pastor Terrell Giddens officiating. Burial will follow at the Elkhart Cemetery. The family requests memorials may be given to the Women’s VFW Auxiliary in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS  67950.