Marjean Elaine Kern

March 8, 1942- May 26, 2026

Marjean (Herbst) Kern was welcomed into heaven by her beloved parents, siblings, and son Steven.

Marjean was born March 8, 1942, the second of five children in the family of Louis and Ruth (Fischer) Herbst. She grew up in Storden, MN, where she was baptized, confirmed, and graduated high school in 1960.

Marjean moved with her family to a home on the east side of Fischer Lake, outside of Frazee, in 1960. Both she and her sister helped their uncle with his resort on Fischer Lake.

Marjean went to Wandena Technical college where she met her husband Charles Kern through his sister Pat Kern.

On May 16, 1964, Marjean married Charles Kern. The couple operated a successful ice distribution business before they later divorced. For a few years after that, Marjean had a boyfriend named Merle. They would go out with their friends and have lots of fun.

Marjean was a devout church goer, usually attending Frazee United Methodist Church and then later Harvest Fellowship Church. She cared deeply about her many family members and friends, and whenever any of them were ill or in need of encouragement, it was important to her to keep them in her prayers. She also studied and jounaled about the Bible frequently. 

Marjean had anxiety issues that prevented her from driving, so she either caught a ride with family members or walked wherever she wanted to go from her home just outside Frazee. She was a very independent person but also really enjoyed time connecting with people. 

One of the greatest griefs of Marjean’s life was the loss of her son, Steven, at age 18 in a car accident on his way to college classes in Wadena. The roads were icy that day so the bus was canceled but the classes were not.

Marjean had a beautiful smile, and it shown whenever she was doing something she loved such as caring for cats that showed up at her house. For a while she had a domestic goose. In the spring it would go over to Albertson Lake and swim with the Trumpeter Swans. She would go over and call for it to come home and eventually it did.

In her years of employment, she worked at Frazee Care Center and cleaned people’s homes as well as churches and babysitting.

Marjean volunteered her time teaching Sunday school and supervising after school programs at church.

Health issues led Marjean to sell her home and following that, she lived at Vergas Assisted Living. Later, she moved to Frazee Assisted Living to be closer to her granddaughters. In her last few days she was in Frazee Care Center and cared for by Hospice. 

She is survived by her daughters, Gail Kern of Fargo, ND and Joy Herbst, and granddaughters Samantha, Bella and Frejya, all of Frazee, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  Marjean was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Ralph Herbst, Roger Herbst, Harvey Herbst and Nancy Philstom, one sister-in-law, Evarae Herbst, and her son, Steven Kern.

A Remembrance for Marjean was held May 28, 2026 at Frazee Care Center Chapel. 

A service will be held at United Methodist Church in Frazee at 6pm on Monday June 22nd. A potluck will follow. 

Instead of flowers or cards please direct your memorials to Marjean’s favorite charity St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.