Minneota’s oldest veteran, Milo Kern passed away

In every way, Milo Kern was the patriarch of Minneota Veterans. Not only did he outlive everyone else, but while he was able, he was a steady, unwavering member of Minneota’s American Legion Post 199. On February 13, 2016, Milo Kern turned 100 years old.

Now, three years later, on July 1, 2019, he passed away, leaving a long legacy of service to the Minneota American Legion. He received his 70 year certificate from the American Legion and that was over three years ago. “That’s almost unheard of,” said Minneota American Legion Commander and Milo Kern’s friend, Jim Fink.

He proudly wore his American Legion hat that had a star with a 70 on it — signifying his years of service to the Minneota American Legion. Kern passed away at the Minneota Manor Healthcare Center on Monday. There will be a visitation Wednesday at the Rehkamp Horvath Funeral Home in Minneota.

He will have military rites provided by the American Legion Post he loved and served. He’ll be buried in the St. Edward Catholic Cemetery. The funeral will be on Wednesday. Kern was well known for his time served on a destroyed in the U.S. Navy.

In fact, he was the only survivor when his ship was sunk while he was off-board receiving medical care. A farmer by trade, Kern also did custom baling and drove school bus for 24 years. His Catholic faith was also important to him. He is survived by his wife Loretta and several children and their families.

Commander Fink always included Kern in as many veteran doings as possible. That included Kern helping dedicate the new “lift” for those who needed it at the Minneota American Legion Building.

Commander Fink often visited the post’s longest-living member and considered himself a friend of Milo Kern. In the past few years, Kern was unable to communicate well with visitors — and eventually he had to be moved to the Minneota Manor.