Marjean Elaine Kern

Marjean (Herbst) Kern was welcomed May 26, 2026 at the entrance to Eternity by her beloved parents, siblings, and son Steven.

Marjean Elaine Herbst was born March 8, 1942, the second of five children in the family of Louis and Ruth (Fischer) Herbst. She grew up in Storden, Minn., where she was baptized, confirmed, and graduated high school in 1960. Marjean moved with her family to a home on the east side of Fischer Lake, outside of Frazee, in 1960. Both she and her sister helped their uncle with his resort, where they met their future husbands, both from the Wadena area.

On May 16, 1964, Marjean married Charles Kern. The couple operated a successful ice distribution business before they later divorced.

Marjean was a devout church goer, usually attending Frazee United Methodist Church and then later Harvest Fellowship Church. She cared deeply about her many family members and friends, and whenever any of them were ill or in need of encouragement, it was important to her to keep them in her prayers. She never drove, so she either caught a ride with family members or walked wherever she wanted to go from her home just outside Frazee. She was a very independent person but also really enjoyed time connecting with people.

One of the greatest griefs of Marjean’s life was the loss of her son, Steven, at age 18 in a one-car accident on his way to college classes in Wadena.

Marjean had a beautiful smile, and it shown whenever she was doing something she loved such as caring for her kitties and spending time with her three granddaughters. She enjoyed caring for plants and working in her yard. In her years of employment, she worked at Frazee Care Center, babysat for families in Frazee, cleaned homes and Harvest Fellowship Church for a number of years.

Health issues led Marjean to sell her home, and following that she lived at Vergas Assisted Living, and then received wonderful care at Frazee Assisted Living and Frazee Care Center.

She is survived by her daughters, Gail Kern (Dale Lashley) of Moorhead and Joy Herbst (Josh Erickson) of Frazee, and granddaughters Samantha, Bella and Freyja, Sister-in-law Debbie Herbst, Brother-in-law Ron Philstrom , all of Frazee, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Marjean was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Ralph Herbst, Roger Herbst, Harvey Herbst and Nancy (Herbst) Philstrom, one sister-in-law, Evarae Herbst, and her son, Steven Paul Kern.

A small service for Marjean will be held at the Frazee Methodist church June 22nd for immediate family and friends. Any memorial donations can be made to Cornerstone Community and Youth Center Frazee, MN.