Lucille Kern, 89, of Ladora, died on Monday, April 6, 2026 at University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Downtown.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, April 13, 2026 at the Smith Funeral Home in Victor. Interment will be at Victor Memorial Cemetery.

Her family will receive friends at the visitation held from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at the Smith Funeral Home in Victor.

Memorials may be designated to the First United Methodist Church in Marengo and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 485, Victor, IA 52347. Memories and condolences may be shared with Lucille's family at www.smithfh.com.

Lucille Fern Kern was born the daughter of Russell and Edna (Merck) Myers on May 7, 1936 in Grinnell, IA. She was raised near Victor, IA and graduated from HLV High School in Victor with the Class of 1954. She later received her nursing degree, beginning a lifelong career devoted to caring for others.

On October 6, 1957, Lucille was united in marriage to Richard Kenneth Kern in Iowa City, Iowa. The couple made their home on the family farm southeast of Victor, where they raised their four children: Duane, Tim, Robin, and Tamara.

Lucille was a registered nurse and worked at the VA Medical Center in Iowa City, Marengo Memorial Hospital, North English Care Center, and Grinnell Regional Medical Center. She dedicated much of her life to her profession, compassionately caring for her patients and forming meaningful connections with those she served.

In her free time, Lucille enjoyed traveling, especially to national parks, with Yellowstone holding a special place in her heart. She enjoyed tending her vegetable garden and canning the harvest. She also enjoyed flowers, particularly daffodils and roses, and collecting cardinal figurines. Lucille also had a passion for snapshot photography, capturing the beauty of everyday life and special family moments. In her free time she enjoyed reading, crocheting, and crafting.

Above all, Lucille cherished time spent with her family. She especially loved attending her grandchildren's activities and being present for their many milestones.

She is survived by her children, Duane Kern of Ladora, IA, Tim Kern of Kirkwood, MO, Robin Kern of Parnell, IA, and Tamara Andrews of Bondurant, IA; six grandchildren; Allison Book, Sara Huber, James Kern, Seth Andrews, Kasey Andrews, Rachel Andrews; and three great-grandchildren Elizabeth Book (Lizzy), Emma Book, Penelope (Poppy) Huber. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard Kern (2005); and her sister, Elotia Byers (2006).