Donna Kern

Donna Gates Kern, 83, of Paola, Kansas passed away April 1, 2019 at St. Joseph Medical Center. Donna was born at Greencastle, Missouri February 25, 1936 to Lloyd and Floy Bingham Gates. In 1936, the family moved to Paola, Kansas to a farm east of Paola. Donna attended Oak Valley and Scott Valley Grade Schools and graduated from Paola High School in 1954. Donna worked for the Miami County Welfare Department and then the State of Kansas took over the programs. She worked 38 years for the State of Kansas retiring November 1, 1992. Donna married Charles E. Kern on July 28, 1962 and has lived in Paola ever since. Donna enjoyed her family, friends, traveling, fishing, sewing, cooking and bingo. Charles and Donna traveled to Hawaii two times and to Alaska to help celebrate its 50th year of the Alaskan Highway in June and July of 1992 and have been in all of the other 48 states. Charles and Donna traveled to several of the provinces in Canada and went to the New England States, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Yarmouth in 1995. Charles and Donna also went to Mission, Texas for 11 winters staying almost three months in their RV. Donna will be missed by her family and friends. To share your memories of Donna or leave a special condolence message for her family, please click on the Share a Memory tab.