Funeral services for Pearl Kern, age 75, of Isabel will be at 10:30 AM MT, Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the Church of God in Isabel. Burial will be in the Hillsview Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will start at 6 PM Friday with a family service at 7 PM at the church. Pearl passed away Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, ND.

Pearl (Picker) Kern was born at Dupree, SD on June 11, 1934 to Ruth King Picker and Walter Picker. Pearl spent most of her first 6 years living in a sheep wagon, as her dad herded sheep for Mr. Walenta and Watt Tidball. She and her dad would climb to the top of Thunder Butte and watch their sheep from there. At the age of seven her family purchased a small farm six miles south of Glad Valley, where she lived until her marriage. At the age of eighteen, Pearl married Jake Kern and to their union two sons were born, Bradley Walter Kern in 1954 and Robert William Kern in 1956.

When it was time for Bradley to start school, Pearl bought a house in Isabel so her boys could be close to school. She worked at domestic cleaning and painting jobs for various people in the area until 1972, when she went to work for Rosemarie Zahrowski in the Isabel Cafe. She would later work as a cook for the Isabel School for 2 years. In 1976, she became a state licensed foster parent, the first children that came to her care was 3 year old Lanell and 8 month old Blaine White Eagle. Through the next few years Pearl took care of numerous babies and several school age children about 6 months at a time.

In 1981, two month old Morrison Van Egna joined the family and in 1990, 6 year old Cedric Marrowbone became a member of the Kern family. Pearl cared for her aged parents and after her mother passed away, she looked after her father and eventually moved him into her home. There he lived until his death in 2000, Pearl's life has always revolved around her family and her home. Pearl also liked to garden and cook for her family.

Pearl is survived by two sons Bradley Kern and Robert Kern of Isabel, foster children Lanell and Blaine White Eagle, Morrison Van Egna, Cedric Marrowbone, and brother Gordon Picker of Isabel.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Casketbearers will be Jay Boldt, Jim Boldt, John D. Boldt, Claire Alspach, Jim Bartlett, and Bill Lindskov.

Honorary casketbearers will be All Pearl's Family and Friends.

Congregational Hymns are "The Old Rugged Cross", "How Great Thou Art", "In The Garden," and "It Is Well With My Soul".

Clergy is Pastor Delbert Bock.

Pianist is Karen Van Devender.

Duet will be Jane and Jeff Stradinger.

Ushers will be David Doan and Brian Nash.