Otto Andrew Kern

Otto (91 years old) was born to Rudolph and Frieda (Jeske) Kern on April 15, 1932, in Lansing Michigan and went to be with his Lord on April 29, 2023. Everyone that knew him respected his love of the Lord, the value of family and friendship and he was loved by so many. He was married to his beloved wife of 58 years, Dorothy “Dottie” (Stiefel) Kern on August 8, 1953, at Christ Lutheran Church in Lansing Michigan.

He is survived by his cherished daughter, Elaine (William) Sheets and his loving partner Eleanor Ibarra. He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren Michael (Joann) Kern, Dianna (Paul) Gilbert, Jason Kern, Derek (Carrie) Sheets, Morgan (Chris) Browne, and Deborah (Jordan) Mears. He adored his great-grandchildren, Destiny, Quinton, Izabelle, Austin S, Abigail, Lillian, Kylee, Madelyn, Olivia, Austin G, and Mackenzie, and he loved his nieces and nephews Sandra, Marcia, Gary, Jill, Brian, and Tim.

Otto graduated from Lansing Eastern High School in January 1950, and he was the Chairman of many class reunions. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1955 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for Oldsmobile Division of General Motors for 38 years in the Product Engineering and Product Service Departments. He served in the Army ROTC while in college and was in the Army Reserve in Michigan for 7 ½ years.

He was a lifetime member of Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church. He held many positions serving the church as President of the congregation several times, choir member, Sunday school teacher, financial secretary, Treasurer, Bethel bible student and teacher, Chairman of the building addition and oversaw many church committees. He coached the church fastpitch softball team for over 25 years starting in 1959.

He was chairman of the Public Service Board for the City of Lansing and was a member of the Ingham County Board of Social Services. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, The United Fund, and the Indian Guides. He was the past president of the Verndale Lakes Condominium Association, and a member of the President’s Club at MSU. He loved all things Michigan State and was a season ticket holder for Hockey, Football, and Basketball and loved to tailgate. His home was always the gathering place for his family for every holiday which he loved hosting as his family was the center of his life.

He was preceded in death by his wife (2011), his parents, his stepfather Henry Schultz, his brother and sister-in-law Raymond and Janet Kern, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Lois (Stiefel) and Ronald Stanley and his nephew Mark Kern.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday May 4, 2023, at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 549 E. Mt. Hope, Lansing Michigan with the Rev. Matthew A. Smith officiating. Interment will follow in the Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the Church one hour prior to the funeral service and at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home (Lansing Chapel) 900 East Michigan Ave, Lansing, Michigan 48912 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday May 3, 2023.

Because of his love of MSU, the family requests that you wear your Green and White to the visitation. This would make him very happy!

Memorial contributions may be made to Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Endowment or Memorial Funds.