Kernel farmed most of his life, then worked five years at Canterbury Downs. After retirement he worked part time for Hi Yield Products in Hartland. Involvement with his church, community, and county was of much importance to him. He has served Cross of Glory Lutheran Church in many ways, as a Sunday School teacher, funeral usher, council member, and on the building committee. He was involved in 4-H as a member and leader, in FFA, earning the American Farmer Award, the Minnesota Star Farmer, and Skelly Awards, and active in Freeborn County Rural Youth. He was a board member of the Hartland Town Board as clerk, Freeborn County Zoning and Planning Commission, Selective Service Board, and Manchester-Hartland Telephone Board.
Kernel is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, daughters Kathryn (husband Noah Barton) and Rachel (fiancé Martin Johnson), and six siblings: Curtis, New Port Richey, Florida, Ernest (Arlene), Houston, Ellie Becker, Hutchinson, Janet (Corry) McDermott, Albert Lea, Linda Patschke, New Richland, and Norlie, Hartland. He is survived by sisters-in-law, Marilyn Anderson, Prior Lake, and Sharon Wakefield, Albert Lea, brothers-in-law Wayne (Shirley) Wakefield, St. Paul, Frank Wakefield, Albert Lea, and Keith (Dr. Shelley) Wakefield, Burnsville. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, godchildren, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Alert, parents-in-law Merle and Ardis Wakefield, brothers-in-law Clyde Wakefield, Carl Patschke, David Anderson, and Charles Becker, sisters-in-law Lillian Knudson, Betty Knudson, and Evelyn Wakefield and niece, Heather Wakefield.
Kernel’s family would like to thank all of the family and friends who assisted with care during Kernel’s journey with the disease of dementia. Special thanks to the wonderful caring staff at Prairie Senior Cottages and St. Croix Hospice. Any journey is made easier by the prayers and love of those who care.