Joanne Christine Kern

Joanne Christine Kern, 92, Zionsville, passed away on April 23, 2017. She was born on February 23, 1925 in Indianapolis to the late Joseph J. Lauber and Emma (Woelfert) Lauber Breindl. Joanne attended Holy Angels School for eight years, graduating in 1938. She graduated from St. John Academy in 1942. While at St. John Academy, she participated in a number of plays and operettas, playing the lead in many of the productions. She then went to Marian College seeking a degree in music. She married Robert F. Kern, USMC, at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, October 4, 1943. On the next day, she left Indianapolis for Jacksonville, Florida, and began married life as a "Marine wife" until November of 1945 when Robert was discharged and came home for good.

Upon returning to Indianapolis she returned to her piano studies at Marian College and spent many years at the piano with the Dean of Music. After the birth of her first four children, she became a piano teacher with a studio in her home and almost 40 pupils. She taught piano for over 30 years. she was involved for many years with the Indianapolis Piano Teachers Organization, and was president of that organization for three years.

She was a member of the Indiana Federation of Music Clubs and served as an officer for many years. Joanne was also a member of Matinee Musicale of Indianapolis and served as vice president and secretary for many years.

Beginning in the 4th grade, Joanne became involved with piano and organ music in her parish of Holy Angels. After the war, much of her time was spent working with the parishes to which she belonged, namely Holy Angels, St. Michael, and St. Monica. Music continued to be a very important part of her life serving as organist while her husband, Bob was the choir director. They started choirs at the three parishes where they served. They spent 3 years at Holy Angels, 7 years at St. Michael, and 27 years at St. Monica, from 1957 to 1985, when she retired as the parish organist. She was a founding member of St. Monica Catholic Church where she was a parishioner until her death.

Joanne is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Kern, and siblings, Dr. Joseph J Lauber, and Marianne Lauber. She is survived by her children Michael (Sandy) Kern, Richard (Sharon) Kern, David (Ann) Kern, Rosemarie (Mark) Megraw, Jeanmarie (Jonathan) Chenette, Christopher (Lisa) Kern, 18 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.

Friends may call at Flanner & Buchanan Mortuary in Zionsville from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 11th. Friends may also call one hour before the funeral mass at St. Monica Catholic Church, 6131 North Michigan Road at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 12th.

Entombment will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Monica Catholic Church.