Danny Ray Kern, age 61 of Tracy, passed away Sunday, November 15, 2020 at home. Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, November 19, 2020 at Tracy Lutheran Church with a broadcast via Facebook Live on the Stephens Funeral Service Facebook Page. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 18 at Tracy Area Funeral Home, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church. Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, GUESTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK and practice social distancing guidelines. A 50% indoor occupancy restriction will be maintained. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Danny Ray Kern was born March 10, 1959 to Doug and Wanda (Haugen) Kern in Olivia, Minnesota. He was confirmed at Cross of Calvary Lutheran Church in Olivia. Dan graduated from Olivia High School and later from Golden Valley Lutheran College and St. Mary’s School of Nursing. He met LuAnn when he worked as a P.T. Aide at the Franklin Healthcare while waiting to take his nursing board exams. On August 22, 1987, Dan and LuAnn were married at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Franklin. To this union four children were born Mike, Joe, Jake, and Anna. Dan began his 35-year nursing career in the fall of 1985 at the Tracy Municipal Hospital. He was a member of the Tracy Ambulance Service and went on countless trips to Sioux Falls with patient transfers. He took great pride in his care of others and his favorite part, which others would agree, was getting to visit with his patients. Dan’s coworkers at the hospital were his second family. He was a member of the Tracy Lutheran Church and he served on the board of Sandford Tracy Area Foundation. In past years, he was involved in the Tracy Jaycees and was an active member of the Saratoga Archery Club. Two of Dan’s passions were deer hunting and gun collecting. Those who knew Dan, knew he had two seasons, deer hunting and getting ready for deer hunting. The comradery of the weekend with family and friends was more important than the actual hunt. In the past few years, he has been more content to sit in his stand and watch the deer go by, he would get more excitement from seeing the kids have successful hunting seasons. Dan had a big heart and if you were his friend, he would do anything for you. Some of his greatest pleasures came from sharing his jerky and sausage with others. He enjoyed grilling and having potlucks at the hospital on weekends and hosting the annual Kern BBQ at the cabin for family and friends. Being at the cabin and working on projects outdoors was his way to relax and recharge and it made him happy to share his time there with others. His best friend was his brother Jeff and many holidays and get togethers were spent with him and his wife Janece.
Danny is survived by his wife: LuAnn; children: Mike of Franklin, Joe of Bountiful, UT, Jake of Toronto, SD and Anna of Tracy; brother Jeff (Janece) Kern of Olivia; step-grandmother Lil Kern of Olivia; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Doug and Wanda, grandparents, Lawrence & Florence Kern and Joe & Guida Haugen.
