Elva L. Kerns

Our precious mother and grandmother, Elva Lorraine (Papenfuss, Erdmann) Kerns, 94, went to her eternal home on November 23, 2025 surrounded by family.

She was born March 2, 1931 to Ernest and Agnus (Gile) Papenfuss. She devoted her life to her family. Her greatest love was her family and she could never get enough time with them. She led her life with loving and helping others. She always had a smile on her face and kind words to say. She loved to cook for others. If you stopped in to visit her, you weren’t going to leave without having something to eat and possible card game if it could be fit in. She loved her embroidering and making quilts for new great children.

She was survived by her six children Ernie (Audrey) Erdmann, Joyce (Bill) Bailey, Janice (Doug) Goede, Cindy Panek, Shirley (John) Hill, and Brenda (Mark) Henderson. She had 22 grandchildren: Willie (Billie) Erdmann, Waylon (Shari) Erdman, Holly (Ben) Schams, Wyatt (Andrea) Erdmann, Weston (Erica) Erdmann, Jason (Tena) Bailey, Scott (Tammy) Bailey, Robert (Rachel) Bailey, Kevin (Kelly) Boldt, Bryan (Melissa) Boldt, Shawn (Lindsay) Boldt, Craig (Jolene) Boldt, Cole (Jenna) Goede, Bobbi (Tim) Clark, Dillon (Amber) Panek, Tanner (Kelsie) Hill, Colton (Amber) Hill, Calder (Ashley) Hill, Jay (Jennifer) Henderson, Shantay (Anthony) Tooley, Clay (Kelly) Henderson, and Tray (Celia) Henderson along with 46 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Willie Erdmann and Donald Kerns, In-Laws: Herman and Theresa Erdmann, Angus and Iva (Riley) Kerns, Son in Laws: Wade Boldt and David Panek, Siblings and In-Laws: Daryl (Marianne) Papenfuss, Arnold Papenfuss, Marjorie (Herman) Erdmann, Robert Papenfuss, Mildred (Arnold) Selke.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday November 26, 2025 at 11 am at St. John’s Lutheran Church Nodine, MN. Pastor Ethan Boese will officiate. Burial will be at Hiler Cemetery, Nodine MN. Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services of La Crescent on Tuesday from 4-7 pm and at the church on Wednesday from 10 am until the time of service.