Karen L. Kern

Karen L. Kern, 61, formerly of Pembina, ND, passed away on Friday, January 23, 2026 at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at the Pembina Pioneer Methodist Church. Visitation will be held one hour before the time of the service.
Karen was born in Cavalier, ND to Edward “Cope” and Mary (Smith) Kern., She was nicknamed “Toopie” by her Grandpa Kern.
Karen was born deaf and was educated at North Dakota School for the Deaf, graduating in 1984. It was there, at NDSU, that she made many lifelong friends.
Karen continued her education at a vo-tech in the Twin Cities and worked at the Grafton Record and various jobs in the Pembina area.
Karen was very active in the deaf community and in what she called “Deaf Church.”
Left to mourn Karen are her brother, Kevin “Cope” Kern and his daughter, Becca, the Kern cousins and a family of dear friends including Toni Fairbanks and her beloved cat, Walter.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Dennis, grandparents: Walter and Mary Kern and Earl and Elise Smith.