Randy McKern

Randy McKern, 60, of Altoona died Sunday, May 30 at Taylor House following a 20-month battle with Multiple Myeloma.  Randy leaves the legacy of a true warrior as he participated in clinical trials that have already significantly impacted the future treatment and survival of Multiple Myeloma patients.
   
Randy was born on February 27, 1961 in Des Moines Iowa to Robert and Gracelyn (Rohde) McKern. On July 27, 1985 he married Amy Williams in Carlisle. Randy and Amy were married for almost 36 years. In September 2000, daughter Rachel was born and made their family complete.

Randy graduated from Des Moines Lincoln High School in 1979. He also graduated from DMACC and Grand View University.  Randy started his career in the restaurant business, but for the last 19 years he was the Transportation Manager at DART.  He loved his job and work family, but the cancer forced him to retire in July 2020. Randy was the past president for IATSE Local 67 and worked as a stagehand for many years.  He worked hundreds of concerts and broadway productions.  He was always a dedicated worker no matter what the job.

Randy’s hobbies included biking (he rode up until 10 days before he died), watching the History Channel, traveling, grilling, home projects, Iowa State Athletics, listening to his playlist and attending Jimmy Buffett concerts. Over the last few years he loved entertaining in the garage at the “McKern Tiki Bar.” More than anything, Randy loved spending time with Rachel and supporting all of her aspirations. 
 
Randy was preceded in death by his father, Robert McKern; father-in-law, Frank Williams; brother-in-law, Tom Williams; grandparents, Virginia and Wilbur McKern, and Elva and Roy Rohde; aunts, Marilyn and Roselyn; and uncle, Richard.

Randy is survived by his wife, Amy; daughter, Rachel; mother, Gracelyn; siblings, Jeff McKern and Joni (Bob) Hollis; mother-in-law, Mariglee Williams; brothers-in-law, Frank (Shirley) Williams, and John (DeAnna) Williams; sister-in-law, Mary Jo Williams; nieces and nephew, Thomas “Allen” McKern, Jennifer Stutsman, Jeremy Williams, Bryan Williams, Tommy Williams, Danny Williams, Jackie Padellford, Annie Hockins, and John Paul (JP) Williams, along with their amazing families. He is also survived by extended family, a host of friends, and his fur babies Tabby and Sandy.

The family would like to thank the following medical staff for their extraordinary care over the last 20 months. Dr. Amy Hughes and nurse Esther Casper; Dr. Yogesh Jethava and nurse Paula Maddy; Dr. Ravi Vij and nurse Lindsay Hobbs; and the incredible nurses in the chemo lab at John Stoddard. You each helped Randy remember that nobody fights alone!

Finally, thank you to our incredible group of friends: Lori, Angie, Todd, Julie, Susan, Jodi, Lisa, Annalise, Alex, Alicia, Darrin, Danielle, and Bre. You were there for us night and day and never complained, but only loved us and made our lives richer.

Visitation will be held Thursday, June 3 from 5-8 at Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home, 105 4th Street SW. Graveside services will be held Friday, June 4 at 11:00 a.m. at Avon Cemetery with a luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be used for Rachel’s college expenses and for future designations.

“Well done thou good and faithful servant” Matthew 25:21
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, but love leaves a memory no one can steal”

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