Duane D. Kern

Duane D. Kern, 80 year old resident of Baxter, MN passed away Saturday, December 2, 2023 at his home in Baxter, MN. A memorial service will at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, December 8, 2023 at the Halvorson-Taylor Life Events Center in Brainerd, MN with Tony Masurka officiating. A private family graveside service will take place in the Hewitt Cemetery in Hewitt, MN. Caring for Duane and his family is Halvorson-Taylor Funeral Home in Brainerd, MN.

Duane was born on January 28, 1943 to the late William H. and Mildred Mae (Fox) Kern in Hewitt, MN. Dewey’s schooling was K-12 at the Bertha-Hewitt Schools; bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Bemidji University (6 years). He got his Specialist Degree from Tri-College, Moorhead State University. He served in the Army from 1964-1966 where he served as a military policeman. While he was in the army, he met the love of his life Sharon Habbestad of 55 years on a blind date; they were engaged on a ferry boat and married on Vashon Island, Washington. After graduating from college, they moved to Fergus Falls, Minnesota where he was a teacher for 3 years and an elementary principal for 30 years. They lived in Fergus Falls, MN for 35 years. He served on many boards and committees during these years, both at the local and state levels. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church for 35 years, serving in many ways. Duane accepted Jesus as his Savior at age 12 at a Guy Libby Crusade and rededicated his life at age 25 at Camp JIM. In 2005 after retiring, they moved to the Brainerd Lakes area where he volunteered at Camp JIM for many years. He really loved this camp because many souls were won for Jesus each year. His major concern was for family, friends, and everyone to have them decide to follow Jesus and that none would live in hell for eternity. Duane loved most sports, hunting, fishing, reading, and going south with Sharon for 2 1/2 months during the winter. The couple went to Mississippi and Alabama during the winter months.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mildred Kern; oldest sisters, Jean and Muriel.

Duane is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Sharon Kern; brothers, Bill and Scott Kern; sister, Nancy French; daughter, Monica (Myron) Kowaliw; three grandchildren, Arielle, Miranda, and Brianna; and six great grandchildren.

Request that, in place of flowers, memorials would be given to Camp JIM, 1026 Camp JIM Rd. SW, Pillager, Minnesota 56473