Sharon Jane Kern

Sharon Jane Kern, 72, died peacefully at Providence Hospital on May 10, 2011, following a courageous battle with brain cancer.

She was a lifelong resident of the Matanuska Valley. For the last few years she and her husband, Dave, were snowbirds, residing in Yuma, Ariz., during the cold winter months.

Sharon generously gave of her time and energy to many organizations, including Bishops Attic, Palmer Food Bank and the Salvation Army. She was named Volunteer of the Year in 2005. Prior to her retirement in 1998, Sharon worked at Matanuska Valley Bank and Palmer Junior Middle School.

She was a loving wife, mother, sister and friend and will be missed by all who knew her.

“In her life, Sharon loved to travel, visiting many areas of the world with her husband, Dave,” her family wrote. “She was well known in the Valley for her baking, which she loved to do and share. She felt it was her duty to ‘give back to others in need’ for all the blessings she had received. She truly loved to open her home to others with an honest hospitality that put everyone at ease.”

Preceding her in death were her brother, Michael; and her parents, Ray and Margaret McCartney.

Surviving are her husband of 39 years, Edward “Dave” Kern; son, David and his wife Kami of Oregon; son, Ken and daughter-in-law Kathy of Palmer; and son, Jason of Anchorage. She also leaves her twin sister, Karen Clements, of Arizona; brother, Robert “Bugs” McCartney of Palmer; and sister, Jackie Whipple, of New Hampshire. Sharon will be missed by her grandchildren, Jacob, Jenna, Jesse, Jasmine, Jessica, Jayla, Michael and Keith.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Palmer Food Bank at P.O. Box 579, Palmer, AK, or the Salvation Army at P.O. Box 1106, Palmer. A Mass of Christian burial is at St. Michael Catholic Church at noon, May 16, with a reception immediately following at the church.