Mary Y. Kern

Mary Kern, age 82 of Morris, Minnesota, passed away Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Vista Ponds Memory Care in Alexandria, MN.

Services for Mary Kern will be FAMILY PRIVATE.

Mary Yvonne Sorbo was born on December 28, 1941 to Clarence and Olga (Kilen) Sorbo in Sharon, North Dakota, where she attended grade school and graduated Salutatorian in 1959. Starting in her youth, she had an insatiable appetite for reading and loved to sing and play the piano. From a young age, Mary knew she wanted to be a teacher. Also in her youth, Mary was baptized, confirmed and professed her faith by becoming a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sharon. Her next step in life was attending Mayville State University graduating with honors in 1963 as a teacher with three majors: Music, English, and Speech. Mary was selected as a “Who’s Who among Students of American Universities and Colleges.” Mary taught in Mora for one year, Bemidji for three years and Great Falls, Montana for one year before coming to Morris in 1968 to teach English and Speech, to the age group she liked best: 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. Her relationship with students was built on integrity, love, and knowledge. She enjoyed the hard work while pay really didn’t matter to her as evidenced by her running the school spelling bee, Junior High plays, student council and cheerleading. Mary’s work and dedication was acknowledged many times over 27 years. For the 1984-85-school year, Mary was named an Outstanding Teacher of the Year, voted on by the students and administration. She retired in June of 1995. This allowed more time for her to devote to music, writing, and reading the 1700 books that she now had in her home library.

In her private life, things also changed for her in Morris when she met the love of her life across the hall, Jack Kern, while he was teaching 9th grade science. They met in 1968, spending more and more time together until finally getting married in 1971 at her home church, Trinity Lutheran Church in Sharon, North Dakota. They shared a wonderful life together; both having a passion for travel, they went to Alaska, four times, Hawaii, four times, Europe, three times, Yellowstone, 11 times as well as numerous other places. Best of all, after her retirement, were the 19 winters in Nevada and the 13 that were spent at their winter home in Henderson, Nevada. Mary loved the countless shows, entertainment, and eating out, but not so much the gambling. They also spent part of the summers for 23 years at their cabin on Two Inlets Lake where fishing was good and the mood relaxing.

She is survived by her husband, best friend and caregiver since 2005, Jack of Morris, MN; sister: Carol (Ron) Ness of Perham, MN; and brothers-in-law: Mark (Lynn) Kern and Mike (Chris) Kern; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and seven sisters and brothers: Warren, Darlyn, JoAnn, Marlow (Mike), Clair, Ronald, and Lorette.

Arrangements are with Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris, MN.