Beatrice June Kern
April 4, 1933 – July 6, 2020
OSAGE CITY — Beatrice June Kern, Osage City, died Monday, July 6, 2020, in her home. She was 87.
June, the oldest of six kids, was born April 4, 1933, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of William Franklin Campbell and Bernice Louise Richardson.
Shortly after the Korean War, she married William Roll, to whom she was married for nearly 40 years and bore four children. They spent most of their lives together in Kansas City, until they retired to Lyndon.
During this time, it was a tradition for the kids and grandkids to visit Bill and June on the weekends, where the entire family would enjoy elaborate breakfasts and dinners together and outdoor games. While the kids and grandkids played, William and June would look on with great pride at the beautiful family they had raised.
In 1993, William passed away at the age of 62. Several years later, June would be fortunate to find love again when she met Larry Kern, and in 2000 the two were wed. They would go on to have 20 beautiful years together. The couple spent their beginning years in Vassar. During their time together, the couple would travel with their dogs until they finally settled in Osage City. Larry was by June’s side until she breathed her last breath.
To say June lived a full and splendid life brimming with faith, love, and family would be an understatement. Those closest to June would say she loved her family above all else. They would also speak of her innocent sense of humor, even though sometimes she would say something to make everyone’s mouths drop, her infectious smile and her hearty laugh that would turn into a breathy wheeze when something really tickled her.
She was a person who was easy to talk to, whether it was sitting on the porch swing enjoying the warm summer breeze or over a phone call. Her home was not just open to her kids and grandkids but also their friends. If you found yourself at her home, she would always have some sort of treat whether it was miniature candy bars, peppermints or some other snack. During family gatherings and holidays, she would be the force everyone surrounded because she was such a character to be around.
She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, William “Bill” Roll; a son, William “Denny” Roll; a daughter, Cathy Hall; and three sisters, Virginia Collins, Dorothy Miller and Barabra Forest.
June is survived by her husband, Larry “Buck” Kern; a daughter, Vickie Mendez. Lyndon; a son, Wally Roll and wife, Lisa, Kansas City; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a brother, Bob Campbell; a sister, Shirley Hernandez; the spouses of her deceased children; as well as four additional children; 12 additional grandchildren; and eight additional great-grandchildren, through her union with Larry.
There will be a small service 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at First Baptist Church, 129 15th St., Lyndon.
Memorial donations may be made to Midland Hospice Care. You may visit the following link to make a donation and see how your generosity can benefit other families in need, www.midlandcareconnection.org/get-involved/support-our-work/waystogive/donate-online/.
