Craig "Kernal" Kern

Craig “Kernal” William Kern, 62, passed away September 21, 2022, at Methodist Hospital.

Craig was born on August 31, 1960, to Maxine and Edward Kern in Des Moines, Iowa.

Craig proudly served the city of Des Moines for 32 years with the Des Moines Fire Department. He was a Southsider his entire life, a 1979 Lincoln High School graduate, and a 1984 UNI graduate majoring in Psychology. After college, he met the love of his life, Cheryl Annette Karsten, and they married on May 14, 1988, in Sumner, Iowa. Kernal embodied the term “gentle giant” and was tremendously respected by those privileged to have worked with him. He spent all of his careers working out of downtown Station #1. He is the longest-serving Haz Mat team member for over 30 years.

Craig earned his fire specialist degree in 1998 and received the City’s Meritorious Service Award with a key to the city as well as Firehouse Magazine’s Heroism and Community Service Award. He was promoted to Fire Engineer in 2001.

He was a jack of all trades and a master of all! He was a daily weight lifter. While raising his children, he was a coach in all their sporting activities. Many of their friends will remember him as a coach and mentor. He was an avid hunter who enjoyed hunting deer, turkey, and wild hogs with his sons and friends. Craig and Cheryl loved spending time at their lake home and Craig fished every chance he got. Kernal was humble, ethical, trustworthy, loyal, and a committed family man who gave to all who needed his help. His last gift was the selfless act of being an organ and tissue donor.

Craig is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Cheryl; sons, Kort Edward Kern and Clay Karsten Kern; brother, Chris (Debra) Kern; sister-in-law, Carol Kern; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Maxine; his brother, Cole; and his sister, Colette.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 2, 2022, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. The funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 3, 2022, and also at the funeral home. Burial with Firefighter honor guard will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery after the service.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be distributed to a charity of their choice at a later date in loving memory of Craig.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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