Brenda Sue Kern, 73, of Middletown, passed away at 1:10 p.m., Sunday, August 20, 2017 at Garden View Care Center of O'Fallon, with her daughters by her side, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Brenda was born April 22, 1944 in Sullivan, Missouri, a daughter of Max Leroy and Freda Mae (Kimberlin) Brown.

She was a member of the Class of 1962 at Wellsville High School.

On December 3, 1961, in Wellsville, Missouri at the Church of the Resurrection, she married the love of her life, Leslie August "Les" Kern, sharing over 50 years together. He preceded her in death on September 23, 2011.

Brenda was a long time resident of O'Fallon for over 19 years before moving to Middletown in 1999 with her husband, Les.

She was a hairdresser and the owner and operator of Kern's Kut-N-Kurl in O'Fallon for over 35 years.

Brenda was a member of the Harmony Club in Middletown.

She enjoyed sewing and quilting. Brenda loved watching sports but especially liked attending the Mizzou football games and tailgating with friends as well as watching the St. Louis Cardinals. She always looked forward to her weekly meetings with the Yak Yak girls. More than anything she loved hanging out with her friends and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Brenda is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law, Karla Kern and Bruce Thompson, Kelly Rae and Randy Cunningham and Kobey Ann and Tony Phelps, all of Wentzville; three grandchildren, Whyatt Edward Thompson, of Wentzville, Kelsey Marie Cunningham, serving in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Charleston, South Carolina and Brendon August Phelps, of Wentzville; brother-in-law, Dave Kern, of Palmer, Alaska; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Nancy and Darryll James, of Middletown; sister-in-law, Marian Kern, of St. Charles; four nieces, Jane Wolfe, of Tampa, Florida, Beth Ripepi, of Cleveland, Ohio and Laurie Brink and Amy Leebold, of Quincy, Illinois; nephews, David Kern, of Portland, Oregon, Kenny Kern, of Minco, Oklahoma and Jason Kern, of Anchorage, Alaska; 17 great nieces and great nephews; 1 great-great niece and nephew; in addition to numerous close friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Les Kern; parents, Max and Freda Brown; brothers, Byron "Butch" Brown and Boyd Brown; father-in-law, Edward August Kern and mother-in-law, Irma Marie (Aubuchon) Kern.

Visitation was held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 24, 2017 at the Myers Funeral Home in Middletown.

Memorial contributions were suggested to SSM Health at Home Hospice c/o Myers Funeral Home, 203 East Bates Street, Wellsville, MO 63384.

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