MONROE/NEW GLARUS - Jeffrey John Kernen of Monroe, Wisconsin died on Christmas Day at the Monroe Clinic Hospital (St. Clare), where he had been born on August 18th, 1951 at the age of 59.
Jeff was the eldest of five children born to Phyllis and Clarence Kernen, and grew up on the family farm on Farmers' Grove Rd. in Green County, Wisconsin.
Jeff attended the Farmer's Grove country school, which was located on his family's farm through the 5th grade. When the country schools closed, he continued his education in New Glarus, graduating with the High School Class of 1969, and then continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Jeff is survived by his daughter Jessica (Jens) Haensch of Minneapolis, MN; son Jacob (Jessica) Kernen and granddaughters Ella and Olivia of Monticello, WI; and son Matthew Kernen and granddaughter Taylor of Monroe, WI.
Jeff is also survived by his brothers Bob and Bill Kernen, and sisters Chris (Butch) Kiesz, and Mary (Randy) Statz; nieces and nephews, Fonda (Jason) Lewis, Sara Kiesz, Katie (Doug) Sichmeller, Nick, Ben, and Hannah Kernen, and Carla and Jamie Statz; Aunt Lucille Rupnow, Aunt and Uncle Philip and Karen Crawford, and Uncle Sherman Crawford, and many cousins.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents John and Hilda Kernen and Sherman and Hannah (Feldt) Crawford. Jeff loved his family and friends and lived life to the fullest. Jeff has especially strong bonds, and is also survived, by the members of the Apparitions Motor Cycle Club, of which he was a founding member. More than 40 years ago, the club was started with a group of friends in the basement of his parent's home on the family farm. Jeff was just honored with a gold ring by club members days prior to his death; Jeff died wearing this ring and his Apparitions shirt, surrounded by his family.
Jeff loved traveling the world and learning about the cultures of the countries he visited, and collected memorabilia and stories of all these adventures. Jeff was also an avid Badger Football and Packer fan, and for years attended many games at Camp Randal and Lambeau Field.
Jeff worked for many years at Menard's, first at the building center in Monroe, and later at the corporate office in Eau Claire. In 1990, he returned to New Glarus and became co-owner of the New Glarus Lumber Company and eventually the Monroe Lumber Company as well.
Jeff was very giving, and one of the last acts of generosity was picking out special items from his home to give as gifts to his family to open on Christmas Eve. Although he was too ill to attend this gathering, he was with us in spirit. He left this life on Christmas Day-a day he loved.
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at Washington Reformation United Church of Christ, N6026 Church Rd, Monticello, WI with Pastor Mary Gafner officiating.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, the time of service, at the Washington Reformation Church.
A memorial fund has been established.
The Zentner-Beal Funeral Home of New Glarus is serving the family.
"Going up to the spirit in the sky-gonna go there when I die. I've got a friend in Jesus."
www.bealfuneralhomes.com
Jeff was the eldest of five children born to Phyllis and Clarence Kernen, and grew up on the family farm on Farmers' Grove Rd. in Green County, Wisconsin.
Jeff attended the Farmer's Grove country school, which was located on his family's farm through the 5th grade. When the country schools closed, he continued his education in New Glarus, graduating with the High School Class of 1969, and then continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Jeff is survived by his daughter Jessica (Jens) Haensch of Minneapolis, MN; son Jacob (Jessica) Kernen and granddaughters Ella and Olivia of Monticello, WI; and son Matthew Kernen and granddaughter Taylor of Monroe, WI.
Jeff is also survived by his brothers Bob and Bill Kernen, and sisters Chris (Butch) Kiesz, and Mary (Randy) Statz; nieces and nephews, Fonda (Jason) Lewis, Sara Kiesz, Katie (Doug) Sichmeller, Nick, Ben, and Hannah Kernen, and Carla and Jamie Statz; Aunt Lucille Rupnow, Aunt and Uncle Philip and Karen Crawford, and Uncle Sherman Crawford, and many cousins.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents John and Hilda Kernen and Sherman and Hannah (Feldt) Crawford. Jeff loved his family and friends and lived life to the fullest. Jeff has especially strong bonds, and is also survived, by the members of the Apparitions Motor Cycle Club, of which he was a founding member. More than 40 years ago, the club was started with a group of friends in the basement of his parent's home on the family farm. Jeff was just honored with a gold ring by club members days prior to his death; Jeff died wearing this ring and his Apparitions shirt, surrounded by his family.
Jeff loved traveling the world and learning about the cultures of the countries he visited, and collected memorabilia and stories of all these adventures. Jeff was also an avid Badger Football and Packer fan, and for years attended many games at Camp Randal and Lambeau Field.
Jeff worked for many years at Menard's, first at the building center in Monroe, and later at the corporate office in Eau Claire. In 1990, he returned to New Glarus and became co-owner of the New Glarus Lumber Company and eventually the Monroe Lumber Company as well.
Jeff was very giving, and one of the last acts of generosity was picking out special items from his home to give as gifts to his family to open on Christmas Eve. Although he was too ill to attend this gathering, he was with us in spirit. He left this life on Christmas Day-a day he loved.
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at Washington Reformation United Church of Christ, N6026 Church Rd, Monticello, WI with Pastor Mary Gafner officiating.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, the time of service, at the Washington Reformation Church.
A memorial fund has been established.
The Zentner-Beal Funeral Home of New Glarus is serving the family.
"Going up to the spirit in the sky-gonna go there when I die. I've got a friend in Jesus."
www.bealfuneralhomes.com