Linda Lou Kern

Linda Lou Kern (Persons), 77-year-old resident of Elk River, passed away Monday August 11th, 2025 surrounded by her family. Visitation will be from 4:00 till 7:00 PM on Sunday August 17th at Dare’s Funeral Home in Elk River. Services will be Monday August 18th at 11:00 at the Nowthen Alliance Church followed by a luncheon. The burial will take place at a later date.

Linda was born on July 18th, 1948 to Oscar and Clara (Bestul) Persons in Bertha Minnesota and grew up on the family farm. As the farmer’s daughter, she caught the eye of the young local creamery driver who would stop by to pick up milk cans.

Linda and Doug were married on November 24th, 1972. Shortly after getting married, they moved to their current residence near Elk River where they would go on to raise their five children. Linda worked as a homemaker and cleaned houses for much of her life. In her later years she routinely volunteered at Guardian Angels Nursing Home. She enjoyed her horses, gardening and painting.

Family and friends were very important to Linda. Especially enjoyable were the summer vacations at a lake cabin or holiday gatherings.

She is remembered and loved by many, and her legacy lives on through many family members and friends but especially her children; daughters, Shelia of Elk River; Theresa (Phil) of Becker, sons Shane (Leiloni) of Princeton; and Matt of Princeton, sisters Betty (Claude Bieniek), Barbara Rehm of Henning, Diane Anderson of Hastings, brothers Gary Persons and Dick Persons of Wadena, and a well-blended mix of grandchildren; great grandchildren and friends. Linda was preceded in death by her husband Doug, her parents, Oscar and Clara Persons; son Darin Kern, brother Donald Persons, Sisters Patsy Erickson, June Ferguson of Portland OR, and Carrie Hoffman.

A deep and sincere special thank you to the staff at the Beehive Assisted Living in Elk River along with the Staff at Brighton Hospice – especially Katie (Maggie).

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