Gerald Lee Kerns

Gerald L. Kerns, most known as “Doc” or “Jerry”, 86, passed away Friday, June 26, 2026, at Peterson Assisted Living in Osage City.

Gerald Lee Kerns was born on January 22, 1940, in Auburn, Nebraska, the son of Russell Leroy and Phillis Lavone (Woodward) Kerns.

He graduated from Derby High School in 1958 and then later graduated from Kansas State University with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1966.

Gerald was joined in marriage to the love of his life, Sandra Lee Herring on August 31, 1962, in Homewood, Kansas. They would begin their lives together in Manhattan and later for a short time in Valley Falls. On February 7, 1967, Gerald and Sandy moved to Osage City. Gerald soon opened the Osage Animal Clinic. Doc retired in 2018 after 52 years of being a veterinarian.

He was a 60-year member of the Osage City Lions Club, a big supporter of 4-H and proud member of the Knights of the Round Table at Marilyn’s.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sandy and a sister, Virginia “Sissy” Tolley.

Gerald will live on in the hearts and memories of his family and friends including a daughter, Donna Butterfield and her husband Cliff of Osage City; three sons, Eric Kerns and his wife Cindy of Topeka, Jim Kerns and his wife Angie of Ottawa and Will Kerns and his wife Cherity of Osage City; two brothers, Leonard Kerns of Manitou Springs, Colorado and Bob (Julie) Kerns of Anthon, Iowa; his eleven grandchildren: Ashley (Joseph) Romans, Katie Kerns, Brandon Marinelli, Danielle (Jesse) Stevicks, Luke Kerns, Jake (Cara) Butterfield, Kenna (Colton) Noonan, Jerra (Ashton) Lowe, Zach (Hannah) Kerns, Alli (Chad) Bones, and TJ (Cheyanne) Kerns; five great-grandchildren Violet and Clementine Romans, Forrest Kerns, Cannon Kerns, Brooks Noonan and another one on the way; two step-grandchildren, Lance (Christy) Jones and Lacey (Rick) Stevens; five step great-grandchildren, Addy and Shea Jones, Alyssa, Brock, Jayce and a step great-great-grandson, Eli Stevens.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 3, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church in Osage City. Burial will follow services at Osage City Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 P.M. until 7 P.M., Thursday evening, July 2, 2026, at the funeral chapel. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Frontier District 4-H or the Osage City Lions Club and sent in care of the VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. 6th St., Osage City, Ks. 66523. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.