Lorraine Kern Hutchinson died June 20, 2015, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston.
Lorraine was born Dec. 9, 1929, to James and Margaret (Overbay) Nelson in Gentry, MO. She married James R. Kern on Dec. 2, 1946, in Troy, KS. They were blessed with three daughters, Sharon Sue died as an infant, Pamela Joan, and Roberta Lea.
Lorraine enjoyed being a homemaker and mother. Jim and Lorraine were both active with the Saylor Township Fire Department serving as EMTAs, and Jim was fire chief at the time of his death in 1980.
Lorraine worked for Lint Van Lines. She married Earldene Hutchinson on Oct. 21, 1989. Dene was retired from John Deere. He passed away in 2007.
Lorraine was a wonderful caregiver. She had been a member of Bethany Reformed Church and Highland Park Christian Church. She enjoyed her yard, gardening, and flowers. She loved her family and grandchildren. She will be remembered for loving the color pink. She lived most of her life in Des Moines. She was currently a resident of Prairie Vista Village in Altoona assisted living until suffering a brain aneurysm which led to her death.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters: Pam (Marvin) Van Dyke of Sully and Roberta Johnson (Frank Kowal) of Omaha, NE; her grandchildren: Jason (Nikki) Van Dyke of Kalona, Derek (Cassie) Van Dyke of Pella, Amy (Clint) Helmuth of Kalona, Travis Johnson (Sarah Campbell) of Des Moines, and Megan Johnson of Huxley; her 18 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
Lorraine was preceded in death by her daughter Sharon; her husbands; her parents; her sisters, Dorothy Peters and Elizabeth Nelson; a brother Jimmie Nelson; her grandson Adam Johnson; and her son-in-law T.G. Johnson.
She was laid to rest on June 23 at Pine Hill Cemetery at a family graveside service with Pastor Jerry Morningstar officiating. Memorial contributions may be directed to Bethany Reformed Church in Des Moines.
