Cynthia Kay Kerns

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, Cynthia Kay Kerns, of Lewellen on December 12, 2024, at the age of 69. Cindy was born on November 2, 1955, in Denver, CO, to Byron and Roberta Chapelle (LeGrand).

Cindy grew up in both Arvada, Colorado, and later Dallas, Texas. She graduated from Arvada High School in June of 1974 and shortly thereafter got her degree as a dental assistant, working in the dental field for eight years.

Cindy met the love of her life and beloved husband, Rocky Kerns, in high school; they were married on September 17th, 1977. Cindy was known for her overwhelming kindness, unwavering determination, feisty spirit, and love and support for her family and community. Along with her husband, she was a devout member of St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala, Nebraska.

Following their marriage, Cindy and her soulmate Rocky moved to Elbert, Colorado, and started their family and lived together within the community they came to love. They raised their four children: Jeremy, Justin, Joey, and Jamie on their horse ranch, where Cindy was a pillar of the Kerns 4J Ranch. Cindy was a Cub Scout den mother for her children, as well as the children of Elbert, teaching them how to tie knots, camp out, develop team-building skills, and race pinewood derby cars. She was a team mom for all her children's sports teams and was the head of the accountability committee of the Elbert school district for many years. She assisted Rocky with ranching, as well as with accounting and paperwork at AJA Travel and Tour, the agency they started in the early 1980s. She had such a kind and fun aura about her which resulted in her having countless friends.

Cindy became a Cancer survivor in 2002 and later that year was further blessed by the birth of her and Rocky's first of ten grandchildren. Cindy loved everything about being a grandmother, and she absolutely loved her grandchildren: Ashtin, Dean, Cossette, Sonja, Orin, James, Scarlett, Everett, Lydia, and Ryan. She always put her love of others before anything else. In 2014, Cindy and Rocky moved to Red Feather Lakes and started their high country livin'. Five years later they made the move to Lemoyne, Nebraska, trading the mountains for the beaches of Lake McConaughey.

Cindy loved visiting her southern relatives at the ocean in South Carolina, her Midwest relatives in the small farming communities of Iowa, and her southwestern relatives in the hot deserts of Arizona. She adored her camping trips in the Flat Top Mountains near Yampa, Colorado. She delighted in traveling to different places throughout the world. She enjoyed family vacations, family holidays, and birthday parties. She had a passion for music, her pets, cooking, and Christmas movies.

Cindy is preceded in joining our Lord and Savior by her mother & father; brother-in-law Shawn Kerns; grandparents Archibald "Archie" and Mary "Sissy" LeGrand, and mother-in-law Mary Kerns.

She is survived by her beloved husband Rocky Kerns; sons Rokell Jeremy Kerns, Justin Kerns, and Joseph Kerns; daughter Jamie Kalcevic; Daughters-in-law Candra Kerns, Stephanie Kerns, and Nadia Kerns; son-in-law Larry Kalcevic; grandchildren Ashtin Kerns (22), Rokell Dean Kerns (20), Cossette Kerns (17), Sonja Kerns (13), Orin Kerns (13), James Kerns (11), Scarlett Kerns (10), Everett Kerns (8), Lydia Kalcevic (7), Ryan Kalcevic (5); sisters Debbie (Tim) Alexander and Linda Chappelle; sister-in-law Jill (Rob) Erskine; brother-in-law Tim (Patty) Kerns; father-in-law Rokell Gerald Kerns, as well as several loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider supporting the family with the service costs by donating to the following GoFundMe Link: <https://gofund.me/33ce91b8>

Funeral services will be held on 12/20/24 at 12:30 pm at Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church, 34201 County Rd 33, Kiowa, CO 80117. Rosary and Prayer will be offered at Noon and there will be a reception for family and friends held at the church hall following the services. Please contact Joey Kerns (303-885-4191) with any questions. Online Condolences may be left at www.prairiehillsfuneralhome.com <http://www.prairiehillsfuneralhome.com>, who is assisting the family with arrangements.