Joan McKern

***Due to the upswing of COVID-19 cases and the State of Iowa Governor's UPDATED proclamation effective November 17, 2020, please follow appropriate guidelines. Indoor gatherings are limited to 15, outdoor gatherings are limited to 30, face masks must be worn and everyone must social distance. On behalf of the family and the funeral home staff, we respectfully ask that if you are not feeling well to please consider a safer alternative by leaving an online message to the family on the tribute page, send a card and call the funeral home to sign your name to the guest registry book.*** Joan McKern, 85 of Stanton, IA, formerly of Emerson, IA, passed away on November 19, 2020 at the Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 in the Malvern Cemetery. Visitation will be held on the same day at the Loess Hills Funeral Home in Malvern from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Loess Hills Funeral Home in Malvern is caring for Joan and her family. Memorials are to the Emerson United Methodist Church Joan Alberta (Benedict) McKern, 85 of Stanton, Iowa, formerly of Emerson, Iowa, passed away on November 1...[more]

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2020 at Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Joan was born on July 13, 1935 in Malvern, Iowa, the only child of Delbert Vernon and Leona Grace (Hauger) Benedict. She graduated from Malvern High School in 1953 and has been a lifelong southwest Iowa resident. Joan was employed with the Nishna Valley School District, first as a teacher's aide, then secretary. She also worked at K-mart in Red Oak in the jewelry department. Joan took pride in and enjoyed setting up the jewelry for patrons. Joan and Howard Elva McKern, Jr were united in marriage on September 10, 1953 in Treynor, Iowa. They were blessed with four children, Susan Kay, Beth Ann, Cindy Lou, and Robert Dean. Howard died on April 13, 1978. Joan loved raising flowers and enjoyed crocheting, reading and loved to watch baseball games on TV. She was kind, soft spoken, and a good friend to all who knew her. Joan loved spending time with her family who were her pride and joy. In addition to her husband Howard, she was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws, Erma McKern and Howard G. McKern, Sr; and brothers-in-law, Jackie McKern and wife Rose and William Seher. Joan is survived by her daughters, Susan Peterson and husband Wayne of Red Oak, IA, Beth Schroder and husband Lyle of Griswold, IA, Cindy McKern of Glenwood, IA, and Bob McKern of Farragut, IA; one granddaughter, Emily Peterson; brother-in-law Richard McKern and wife Kathie of Rulo, NE; sisters-in-law, Carol Carter of Glenwood, and Betty Seher of Omaha, NE; and many friends.