Gladys Mae (Helmberger) Kerner

Funeral services for Gladys Kerner, 86, of Gregory, were held on Friday, February 24, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the Union Congregational Church in Gregory with Pastor Tim Voigt officiating. A prayer service was held Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 8 p.m. at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory.

The eulogy was presented by Hank Wonnenberg, Andy Wonnenberg, and Casey King and scripture reading by Carly Wonnenberg.

Music was provided by Geoff Smith, vocalist, and DeNalda Fortuna, organist.

Steve and Kathy Matthes were in charge of registration. Flower attendants were Sandi Jones, Chris Campbell, and Anna Kerner.

Casket bearers were Brian Helmberger, Mark Helmberger, Joe Helmberger, Gary Hostert, Nick Hostert, and Steve Hostert.

Interment was in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Gregory, SD.

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Gladys Mae Helmberger Kerner was born February 19, 1926 at the farm home of her parents Joseph and Norma (Geyer) Helmberger which was south of Burke, SD near the Ponco Creek. She was the first of eleven children in the Helmberger family. When she was still young the family moved to St. Charles for a short time and then on to Bonesteel where Gladys began her school years.

Gladys graduated from Bonesteel High School and soon after that she traveled to Washington State where she worked for her Aunt and Uncle at a golf course. She soon returned to South Dakota and attended college at Southern State in Springfield, SD where she earned her teaching certificate. Her first school was near where Ft. Randall Dam is located and is now under water. Gladys then took a school north of Bonesteel. During this time she was attending the 4th of July celebration in Gregory with Ellen Kaupp who introduced her to Hank Kerner. She soon took a new teaching opportunity at the Pleasant View District 53 school southeast of Carlock, SD.

Gladys and Hank Kerner were then married on February 17, 1952, and made their home south of Carlock. In 1957 Gladys and her husband bought a farm northwest of Carlock and Gladys continued to teach in rural school while her husband established their farming operation. They were blessed with three children during these years: Jean, Joan and Leon H. (Jr.).

There was a time when Gladys was teaching that all three of her children were her pupils. In 1968 when the rural schools were consolidated with the Gregory Public school, Gladys retired from teaching and began helping her husband on the farm.

Gladys enjoyed playing cards, raising a garden, and canning, cooking and baking, especially her long johns and kuchen. She and Hank looked forward to the polka dances in Carlock and softball games at the Carlock softball field. Gladys was a member of Union Congregational Church in Gregory and served on the church board as clerk for several years.

In 1997 they retired and moved to Gregory where Gladys continued to have a garden and spend more time with the grandchildren.

On February 17, 2012, Gladys and Hank celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at the Gregory Hospital with cake and coffee, surrounded by friends and family. She passed away two days later on her 86th birthday, February 19, 2012.

She was preceded in death by a brother Dean Helmberger and four sisters: Eleanor Schoenfelder, Doris Ziska, Joyce Daegus and Ruth Hostert and brothers-in-law Clem Schoenfelder, Gene Ziska, Dick Weber and Len Hostert.

She is survived by her husband Hank Kerner of Gregory, SD and their three children: Jean (Garlyn) Sieh of Gregory,SD; Joan (Steve) Wonnenberg of Dallas, SD, and Leon, Jr. (Lisa) Kerner of Gregory, SD and by 10 grandchildren Sarah Sieh, Hank (Melissa) Wonnenberg , Casey (Dave) King, Andy (Aliza) Wonnenberg, Carly Wonnenberg, Nick (and fiancé Susan) Emon, Cody Emon, Ktrina Will, Cassity Kerner and Jaslee Kerner; and 3 great grandchildren Elizabeth Wonnenberg, Hayden Emon, Keagan Emon.

Also surviving her are two brothers: Don (Erma) Helmberger of Omaha, NE and Duane (Alice) Helmberger of Farmersville, Texas; and three sisters: Dorthy Weber of Thorton, CO, Norma Hostert of Butte, NE and Bonnie (Marvin) Clark of Yoder, CO, and by a brother-in-law Gene Hostert of Butte, NE and sister-in-law JoAnne Helmberger of Omaha, NE, and by many nieces, nephews and other relatives.