Andrea Kay Kern, or known to her close friends and family as “Stomp”, 65 of Centennial, Wyoming went to be with our Lord, Thursday, December 28, 2017 with her family by her side.
On August 11, 1952 in Pierre, South Dakota, Andrea was born into this world the youngest of three daughters to Andrew Halsey and Mardell (Branine) Lessenden. It was in 1956 that the Lessenden family would move to Laramie, Wyoming where Andrea would spend the rest of her life.
While growing up she attended Laramie public schools, graduating from Laramie Sr. High School in 1970 and attended the University of Wyoming. She was active in dance at the Donna Mac Dance Studio, Job’s Daughters and worked at Kassis where she from time to time would model clothing and would take many camping trips with her family and friends.
During her adult life she worked at Potters, a John Deere dealer, was the financial manager of the Snowy Range Ski Area, worked at Pat’s Old Corral in Centennial, and later worked in several capacities from finance to the Director of the Eppson Center for Seniors where she touched a lot of lives.
It was in Laramie where she met her “Sugar Bear” Thomas L. Kern, Jr., and on July 23, 1971 they were married. From this loving marriage they had three children, Tawnie, Tyler and Trevor and the family lived on the Kern Ranch in the beautiful Centennial Valley.
During her life in the Valley, not only was she a rancher’s wife but supported her children in both 4-H and FFA, other school activities and in their adult lives. At one point she was an active member of the Albany County Cowbells, Centennial Valley Social Club and Farm Bureau. Until recently she served as Centennial’s Chief Election Judge during election time, was an active member of the Centennial Valley Community Church, the Daughters of the American Revolution where she served as State Regent and served her community 30+ years as a Volunteer EMT with the Centennial Valley Volunteer Fire Department.
She was a firm believer in the Lord and supporter of our patriotic heritage. She loved the sunshine, flowers, the color purple, and rabbits. She took immense joy in her crafts. Sewing and quilting took her to her happy place. She loved to stamp, scrapbook, and was very talented in all she would attempt and accomplished. Besides the Lord, her passion in life were her two grandchildren Kaylee and Mason whom she loved so very much and spent a lot of time with going to movies, taking them on fun trips such as Build-A-Bear and Fort Fun as well as a historical trip around Wyoming this past summer. She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and was loved by all.
Andrea is proceeded in death by her parents, Andrew and Mardell Lessenden. She is survived by her loving husband Thomas L. Kern, Jr., her daughter Tawnie Kern (Joseph Martinez) of Laramie; her son Tyler Kern (Steven Geer) of Steamboat Springs, CO; her son Trevor Kern (Jessica) of Laramie; her granddaughter Kaylee and grandson Mason both of Laramie. She is also survived by her two sisters Judith Shaw (Dean) of Sheridan and Wanda Alsup (Pat) of Twin Falls, Idaho as well as her nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held January 3, 2018 at 2:00 PM at First Christian Church, Laramie, Wyoming. Burial will follow at Greenhill Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Centennial Valley Community Church, P.O. Box 85, Centennial, WY 82055 or Hospice House of Laramie, 1754 Centennial Dr, Laramie, WY 82070.
Tom and Family, So sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you in your time of need. Roy and Betty (Montoya) Eurioste, Aurora, co
So sorry for your Loss. Being the youngest of the first cousins, I didn't get to know them as well as I would have liked to. I do have special memories of going to Wyoming and spending time visiting with Andrea and the family. Andrea had a beautiful smile and a wonderful heart! Prayers to all of you as you go through this journey in life. Kay Lynn (Branine) Gill
Your family is in our hearts and prayers.
Keeping you in our prayers and thoughts at this difficult time. Ken and Bonnie Braisted
I am so sorry for your loss.
What a wonderful lady Andrea was. Honest, caring, compassionate, talented. I will miss our occasional get togethers. My prayers are for strength for all of you in this very sad times. Sharon Weeks
I first met Andrea back in her Albany County Farm Bureau days and had the opportunity to work with her in some of her jobs since that time. A true class act, she will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathies to all of the family. I hope in time, your memories of Andrea will bring you peace.
Prayers to all of her family. The world lost a great, loving and kind person.
I wanted to express my heartfelt condolences to all of the Kern family. For right now, there’s no detour around grief, no shortcut through mourning. However, 2 Cor.4:7 says that God can give us, “... power beyond what is normal “, to go from one day to the next. This does not mean that we no longer cry or that we forget. It means we recover. We recover because of our hope. Jesus Christ talked about our hope in John 5:28, which says, “... all those in the memorial tomb will hear his voice and come out “. Jesus was referring to the resurrection. That is our amazing hope! The Bible likens our hope to an anchor. Just like an anchor stabilizes a ship, our hope stabilizes us and keeps us from drowning in overwhelming sadness. 2 Cor.1:3 describes our Creator as, “... the God of all comfort “. One way that God comforts us is by moving people who care about us to give us words of encouragement that we need to hear. May the God of comfort be your comfort now, during this time of sorrow. For the Bible’s answers to life’s big questions please visit JW.org.
Many heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the family. She is at the right hand of God now.
Keeping all of you in our prayers as you go through this very difficult time. We have very fond memories of Andrea. Robin and Tawnie went to school together and are still friends. God bless. Jon & Deb Robinett
Keeping all of you in our prayers as you go through this very difficult time. God bless. Deb & Jon Robinett
Tommy, Trevor, Jessica and the entire Kern Family~ So, so sorry to hear about your loss! My sincerest condolences to the entire family! Cindy Keller ~ LFD
Tom please know Andrea left her mark on this world and the love and kindness she spread will be remembered and greatly missed. My heart an prayers are with you and your family... Donna Earley
Sorry to hear about our dear Andrea. My best to all the family. We are unable to attend service as we are in Lander at Janet's mother's funeral. God bless.
Our prayers and thoughts are with the family during this very difficult time. She is with the Lord and safe and happy and will always be with you - memories live on forever. Prayers for all, Art and Sheila Sanchez.
My dear Aunty Andy will be missed. I had the pleasure of surprising her at Custer Battle Field this past summer in the gift shop. Before I announced myself I got to observe her with her grandchildren for a while with great joy as she shared her time with them lovingly. Growing up with an aunt so close to my own age was fantastic and brought a bond between us that more like friends in life, not to mention related in life. My heart aches for her loss and goes out to my Uncle and Cousins.
Tom, Trevor, Jessica,Judy, and families, Please accept my deepest condolences. Andrea was a lot of fun to be around, took my kidding and ribbing in stride when we were together at EMT classes or at the Ski area. Such a sad thing to go through, especially this time of the year. Andrea is in a better place now. Love and prayers to all. Cliff Smith
Tom, Trevor, Jessica,Judy, and families, Please accept my deepest condolences. Andrea was first and foremost a wife, mother, and grandmother. She was also a fantastic community servant.
Thanks,Rick. It’s very hard because she was the baby.
So very sorry for your loss. Andrea lived life to the fullest. When touched by her smile you couldn’t help but smile back.
We are so sorry for your loss. Andrea was an amazing woman. May the Lord comfort you and give you peace during this time of grief. We hold to the Blessed hope that we will see her again. Grace and Peace. Love and Prayers.
Dear Tom and Children, Jim and I are sorry for your loss and wish we had the power to change things for you and your children. Andrea was a sweetheart and I love it when you call her "Stomp". It denotes one more talent of hers in a long list of talents. We will all miss her....... God loves you all.
Whoever said life is fair? We here in St; Louis are so sad, and have you all in our hearts and prayers. Wish I could be there, but health prevents this at this stage of my life. Hopefully the airwaves sent from here will help give you the strength you will all need to get through these very difficult days. I will call you at a later date, bu in the meantime stay strong, all of you, and know that you are loved by so many...................
Thanks,Jean. From Judy
Peace, no pain and in God's loving arms. You're going to be so missed by your family and friends Andrea, but you are where you've wanted to be. I'm going to miss our Tuesday lunches at the Epson Center. Our sincere thoughts and prayers go to the Kern family and especially Kaylee and Mason.
Andrea has created a mountain of lasting memories for hundreds of people. She will clearly be missed by all. My memories are of long ago but will continue to remain. Seeing how devoted she was to all those who crossed paths with Andrea makes me proud to have known her even if it was for such a short time. My prayers and blessings to her family, friends, and those whose lives she touched in some small way. Betty Dawson. Bridgeport, Texas
My sincerest condolences to the family members. I will never forget the patients and poise of Andrea. She was truly a woman to be admired.
Thinking of you all as you go through this most difficult time. I remember many good days with Andrea as you kids were growing up. Prayers for you all. Kris and Bob Hufty