The family of Virginia Mae Kernen is sad to announce her passing on June 29, 2024, at 95 years of age.  Virginia (Ginny) was born March 16, 1929, to Herbert Paul and Marjorie Fay Dickson (nee Osburn) in Newton, Kansas.  She was immensely proud to be from Kansas.  Her family moved frequently as her father followed work.  While in high school, she lived with and cared for a woman in town during the week for room and board.  This way, she didn’t have to get dropped off at school at 6:00 AM on her dad’s way to work.  She had one day off after high school graduation and then started school at the Wichita – St. Joseph’s School of Nursing to become a registered nurse.  She sold her cow and steer to pay for tuition.

In June 1950, she and good friend, Anne Berry, took jobs as nurses in Del Norte, Colorado.  There Virginia met Calvin Harold Kernen on a blind date.  They were married the following December and spent over 73 years together.  She missed him very much after his recent passing in February 2024.  After living in Del Norte for a year, they lived briefly in Southern California near Cal’s sister where Virginia immediately got a job as a nurse.   They then moved to Humboldt County and purchased rural property and a home surrounded by Redwoods and hummingbirds, which she loved. Virginia quickly got a job as an OB/GYN nurse at Trinity Hospital, currently the Trinity Annex housing the Children’s Center at Cal Poly Humboldt.   After taking time off to be at home with her children, she worked years for doctors Todd, Portalupi, and Menda.  She loved being a nurse and generations of families have expressed their appreciation for her caring and kindness.  Virginia also served as the neighborhood nurse and treated many rashes, cuts, and scrapes.  She was proud to hold registered nurses’ licenses in three states. 

Virginia and Cal raised chickens, rabbits, pigeons, and sheep, adding pigs and steers for their son’s and grandchildren’s 4-H and FFA projects.  From their large garden and fruit trees, they enjoyed sharing produce with friends and family.  After working a full day as a nurse, Virginia would make jam and can fruits and vegetables.  She especially loved canning with her good friend, Barbara Applewhite.  Virginia participated in all her children’s activities, especially 4-H and FFA.  She was a sewing leader at the Arcata Bottom 4-H Club with Gerry Warren.  She spent hours helping her daughters sew and prepare garments for 4-H Dress Revues and the summer fairs.  Virginia was a master at crocheting and frequently took first place and Best of Show at local fairs with her amazing doilies.  She taught her daughters how to crochet and eventually quit entering the fairs so as not to compete against them.  Virginia and Cal were devoted supporters of the Junior Livestock Auction.  

Virginia prepared all family meals from scratch and used what the family grew and raised as ingredients.  Anyone who came at mealtime was welcome at the table.  She was a skilled baker, and her pies and trays of various cookies are legendary.  She gave plates of cookies to friends and family at Christmas and took cookies to all events.  Virginia and Cal were proud members of the Swiss Club, and they spent years serving as officers, preparing and serving food for the events, and cleaning and fixing items at the Swiss Hall.  Virginia was the scholarship chairperson for years.  She brought homemade pickles to Swiss Club dinners and donated baked items and beautiful doilies for their fundraisers.   They cherished the friendships they made at the Swiss Club, especially with Charlie and Pat King.

After retiring, Virginia and Cal enjoyed trips to Alaska, the east coast to see the fall colors, and to Switzerland.  Virginia had great memories of their last trip to Kansas to visit her family, made possible with their son’s help.  She and Cal enjoyed their last visit to his birthplace, a celebration for his 90th birthday shared with generations of family.  Virginia also appreciated her niece, Theresa, and husband, Stan, accompanying her sister, Joyce, to Arcata to visit when Virginia could no longer travel.  

Virginia was a caring and loving wife, mother, and grandmother.  She was hardworking, generous, and kind to all.  She was frank, and you always knew where she stood.  She babysat all of her grandchildren, passing on cooking, baking, canning, and crafting skills.  She is survived by her daughters, Karla (Steve) Darnall and Kay (Don) Becker, her son, Kurt (Sandra) Kernen, grandchildren:  Matthew Darnall (Kathleen Kiernan), Kathryn (Oliver) Helms, Reuben (Nickie) Rail, Diego Rail, Jeffrey (Ivy) Holmes, Christopher (Lauren) Holmes, Terris Becker, Kelsey Becker, Jess (Olivia) Kernen and Reid Kernen.  Her great-grandchildren include Hozana, Miranda, Rowan, Aurora, Hailey, Henri, Dylan and Hazel.  She is also survived by her dear sister, Joyce Bender, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families throughout the Midwest.  

Virginia was predeceased by her beloved husband, Cal, her parents, and siblings, Archie, Lloyd, Grace, Beulah, Gilbert and their spouses, brother-in-law, Dale Bender, and niece, Rhonda.  Also, by Cal’s parents, Friederick Alfred and Mary Albertina (nee: Gerber) Kernen and his siblings Lloyd, Hilda, Irene, Bertha, Madeline, and John and their spouses, and Kernen nephews Jim, Fred and Bob.

Virginia was so grateful to the dear friends who visited over the years, especially after Cal’s passing.  The family would like to thank Dr. Alison Palacios, the staff at Mad River Healthcare, Suite 3, and the staff at Especially You for their caring of Virginia.  Donations in Virginia’s name can be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or an organization related to the healthcare profession of your choice.  Arrangements are under the direction of Ayres Family Cremation.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Virginia’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.