Arline Kerns

Arline (Mullins) Kerns passed away on October 12, 2018 at St. Mary Medical Center with her family by her side.

Arline was born November 15, 1920 in Lebam, Washington where she grew up and attended school.  She graduated in 1938 and was valedictorian for her class of 12.  The following fall, she enrolled in Washington State College and was active in Spurs.  There she met and married Wilson Kerns on December 7, 1941.  The couple graduated together in June 1942.  Shortly thereafter, Wilson joined the Navy.  Arline remained in the states and gave birth to Juanita Kay in November of 1942 and Wilson Gene in March of 1945.  After her husband was discharged in 1945, she gave birth to Robert Earl in January 1947.  The couple moved to Walla Walla in 1951, where Debra Maureen was born in February of 1953 and Patricia May in May of 1956.  She spent seventeen years raising her children on Mill Creek road, teaching them music, gardening and canning.  She sewed lots of clothes for her children and their dolls.

Arline returned to college in1961 to earn her teaching degree in Elementary Education.  She taught first grade at Berney Grade School for many years until she retired.  She continued to substitute in the area, including at Dixie School where she often subbed for her daughter Patricia.

Arline was active in 4-H, Rebekah Lodge, Mill Creek Farm Bureau, Retired Teachers Association, Blue Mountain Appaloosa Club, Blue Mountain Dressage Club, Walla Walla Valley Horseman, and Bar K Girl Scout Camp.

She is survived by  her five children: daughters Juanita Waters of Joseph, OR, Debra Reno of Walla Walla, WA, and Patricia Templeton of Walla Walla, WA; sons Wilson G Kerns of Whidbey Island, WA and Robert E Kerns of Kennewick, WA; eight grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.  There is a plethora (word of the day) of nieces and nephews in the United States and Canada.  Due to her loving nature, there are also many adopted daughters, sons, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at Pioneer United Methodist Church on October 27, 2018 at 3 pm with Reverend Chuck Hindman, Officiant.

Memorial Contributions can be made to Pioneer United Methodist Church or Heifer International through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA.