Mary Catherine Kern

Mary Catherine “Cathy” Kern, 88, of Rich Hill Missouri, passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at the Villages at Jackson Creek Memory Care Center in Independence, Missouri.

Catherine was born December 5, 1931 in Fort Scott, Kansas. She was raised on a farm south of Hume, Missouri. She graduated from Hume High School in 1949. Shortly after graduating, Catherine left Hume to begin working at Kansas City Life Insurance Company.

Catherine married Kenneth Kern on February 20, 1971 and came back to Rich Hill to assist in running KLM Telephone Company. Following the death of her husband in 1990, she later sold the company and retired.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Kern; her parents, Edward and Mary Sheehy; three brothers: Bill, Edward, and Merle Sheehy; three sisters: Irene Sheehy, Helen Sheehy, and Margaret Herndon. She is survived by her brother, Joe Sheehy and wife, Barbara, of Purcell, Oklahoma; and over 40 nieces and nephews.

Catherine was known for her love of her family and community, a beautiful smile, and an inquisitive nature. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.