Obit: Kernz, Joseph (1889 - 1977)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
 
Surnames: Kernz, Kovach, Henseler

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 3/31/1977

Kernz, Joseph (2 November 1889 – 28 March 1977)

A retired Town of York farmer, Joseph Kernz of Memorial Home, died Monday, March 28, at the age of 87. Funeral services were to be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. from St. Mary’s Catholic Church with the Rev. Joseph Henseler officiating. Burial was to follow in the parish cemetery. A Knights of Columbus Rosary and a general Rosary were recited Tuesday evening at the Georgas-Gesche Funeral Home, where the body of Mr. Kernz was in state.

Born November 2, 1889, in Yugoslavia to Mr. and Mrs. Mike Kernz, he received his education in Yugoslavia and came to the United States at the age of 17. Mr. Kernz worked in the ore mines of Northern Minnesota and later homesteaded in that area. His marriage to the former Mary Kovach took place August 7, 1917, in Minnesota.

In 1927, they moved to Milwaukee, where he was employed at Badger Bumper. They moved to Plainfield in 1931 and then in 1935 came to Clark County where he farmed in the Town of York until his retirement. The couple moved to Neillsville seven years ago.

Mr. Kernz, who had been a resident of Memorial Home for the past two years because of failing health, was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, include four children, Joseph Kernz, Jr., of Marshfield, Rudolph Kernz of Loyal and Anthony and Philip Kernz of Neillsville, one brother John Kernz of Pueblo, Co., 24 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.