Doris Geraldine Kerns, 80, of Page, Idaho, passed away September 5, 2011 at the Kootenai Medical Center of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She was born March 24, 1931 at Kadoka, South Dakota. Doris was the daughter of Jerome and Hilma (Johnson) Stilwell.
Doris attended one-room country schools and graduated from Kadoka High School of Kadoka, South Dakota in 1949. She attended and received her teaching certificate from Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota. Doris received her bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from the University of Idaho.
Doris married Richard Kerns on December 27, 1952 at the South Creek Lutheran Church near the family homestead close to Kadoka. Doris, Richard and family moved to the Silver Valley in 1956 from Murdo, South Dakota.
Doris was an elementary school teacher and taught for forty years; the majority of those years being within the Kellogg School District #391. She retired in 1996.
Doris was active in numerous community and professional organizations. She was a member of the American Lutheran Church of Kellogg, Idaho and served on the church Council and Esther Circle; a member of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans; president of the West Shoshone Educator’s Association; delegate to state and national conventions for the Idaho Educator’s Association; members of the Professional Standards committee for the state of Idaho; President of the North Idaho branch of Retired Educators of Idaho; Immediate past President of the Retired Educators of Idaho and was recognized in the 2011 Who’s Who of Presidents of Professional Organizations; Doris received lifetime membership honors from the Silver King PTA and State PTA recognition from Pinehurst PTA; Doris was also a member of the American Association of University Women and Delta Kappa Gamma; she served as loan officer for the Shoshone Country Teachers’ Credit Union. After retirement, Doris volunteered in elementary schools and listened to students read. She also held membership in the Shoshone Toast Masters Club; the Shoshone Country Amateur Mineral Pickers Society; the Our Day Out Club; and the Senior Citizens’ Exercise Group. Doris volunteered at the Coeur d’Alene Homes Trading Post and was a representative of American Lutheran Church for Coeur d’Alene Homes. She was a member of Daughters of the Nile. Doris often visited nursing home residents and shut-ins.
Doris loved and enjoyed her family, pets that found their way to her doorstep, feeding and watching birds, walking and gardening. One of her greatest delights, -one that filled her with joy, pride and appreciation, was encountering and visiting with former students and learning about their lives.
Doris is survived by one daughter, Susan Kerns of Highland Falls, New York; one son Joe Kerns of Kettle Falls, Washington; two brothers Merle Stilwell and Jerry Stilwell – both of Kadoka, South Dakota; one sister Margaret May of Wasilla, Alaska. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Doris was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Richard, three sons Robert, Mark and Scott; and one brother Clark Stilwell.
Cremation was at the Shoshone Funeral Home. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 11:00 am at the American Lutheran Church of Kellogg, Idaho with Rev. Jason Bonnicksen officiating.
The family suggests that memorials may be made to the American Lutheran Church, the Senior Citizen’s Meal Site Program, a charity of your own choice, or by volunteering in your community.
SHOSHONE FUNERAL SERVICES & CREMATORY KELLOGG, IDAHO is entrusted with funeral arrangements.
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Susan and Joe, My thoughts are with you both. What a wonderful mother for you to remember. Special thoughts go out to you. -- Linda Weeks Roose
Words are hard to express when you think of not having Doris' smiling face always there to help. A friend indeed. You will be missed. -- Sherm and Lawanna Watts
What a special lady. Doris will be missed by all. My prayers are with the family. -- Linda Cummings
Doris, Im so glad you were our neighbor for so many years, I will always remember your beautiful tulips and my mom telling me I could NOT pick them. You always had the most beautiful flowers. Rest in peace Doris and I hope you, Otto and Maxine are looking down on us. -- Sara Sharp
She was a great lady, so sorry to hear of her death. -- Steve and Linda Lonn
I enjoyed working with Doris the past few years in association with Retired Educators of ID. She was a delightful and caring lady, and she will be missed. -- Connie Bunch
I will miss Doris. Her cheerful Christian spirit, she was an inspiration to many, and always had kind, encouraging words of wisdom to share. Sending prayers to her family. -- Carol Young
So sorry to hear about your Mother's passing. It was so nice to have met her this summer, she was such a sweetheart. Sue and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. -- Joanie Ricci
It is not hard to see where Dr.Sue Kerns got her talent for education from, after reading about the life of her outstanding mother/educator. Our school is blessed to have Sue Kerns on its staff, and I know that Doris must have been extremely proud of her daughter. Although I did not ever meet Doris, I am filled with admiration for all of her community service and her sense of giving to others. And, I am sure that she must have been an inspiration to those around her, even at age 80, with her highly active lifestyle and obvious zest for life. I join Sue Kerns, in mourning the loss of her mother, having recently lost my own. And, the entire Kerns family will be in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless you and keep you safe in the palm of his hand. -- Lucinda Uhorchak
She will be greatly missed. She was a very speical lady.Her and Otto are walking together in Heaven. -- Toni and Spike Hill
Aunt Doris will be dearly missed by many, especially by her family. She was such a giving and loving person and will be fondly remembered. -- Brenda (Kerns) Polk
Susan and Joe - I am saddened by Doris' passing and my sympathy goes out to you both. But know that she had a great affect on so many children and was loved by so many. I remember her laugh and how she reminded me of grandma Hilma. She always remembered my birthday growing up and I always loved getting a card in the mail from her. She will be greatly missed, but remembered by me as a wonderful and patient teacher and a loving aunt. -- Cary Griswold (Stilwell)
Prayers are with Doris family. She was a special person. -- Eva Whitehead
Doris was a mentor to me; in church and in life. She exemplified what a christian woman should be! I really loved and respected Doris. She will be missed greatly! -- Jan Olsen
