Franklin L. Kern

Frankenmuth, MI

Franklin Lorenz Kern, age 91, of Frankenmuth went to be with his Lord on Tuesday afternoon, March 12, 2024.

Frank was born August 22, 1932 in Frankenmuth MI to Ruben and Regina Kern.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church.  He married Loretta Gehrke on April 22, 1962 in Manawa WI, having 61 years of a blessed marriage.  He leaves his wife; two children: Andy (Heidi) Kern, Sara Miller; three grandchildren, Lauryn Maisie Miller, Nicholas Kern, Jacob Miller; one sister, Jeanette Elbers; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Krueger and Janet Jenks; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two brothers and their spouses, James W. (Vera) Kern, Harry (Lucille) Kern; and brothers/sisters-in-law Charles Elbers, Lorene (Rudolph) Sedlac, Wilmer (Adelyn) Gehrke, Ramona Tucker, Robert Krueger, and Albert Jenks.

Frank loved Michigan State University and following its sports teams throughout the years.  He particularly enjoyed watching and listening to the Spartan Marching Band.  Frank also enjoyed bowling, playing cards with friends, singing in the St. Lorenz Church Male Choir and spending time watching his grandchildren's sports and activities.  Frank also enjoyed traveling with his wife and friends, which included visiting most of the fifty states, and numerous trips to Europe.

Frank graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1950, and Michigan State College in 1954.  He was employed by Second National Bank and its successor Citizen's Bank, until his retirement in 1997.  He served in various positions including teller, Auditor, a Vice President reporting to the Board of Directors, Forensic Auditor, and Chairman of its Saginaw historical committee, where he continued to serve as a volunteer after retirement.  He enjoyed traveling to each of the bank locations, meeting new hires, and ensuring that controls were in place in each department to maintain security in the most efficient manner.  He worked as the bank's liasion with FBI, Secret Service, and U.S. Department of Treasury personnel, and became one of the nation's first Certified Fraud Examiners.

Funeral Service will take place on Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, 1030 W. Tuscola, Frankenmuth, Michigan. Frank's family will receive visitors at Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth, 590 N. Franklin St. on Saturday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at the church from 3:00 p.m. until time of service. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be live-streamed at https://www.stlorenz.org/stream/ . Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Ruben W. and Regina Kern Christian Scholarship C/O Frankenmuth Community Foundation or the St. Lorenz Church Male Choir.