Janet Meininger Kern

Janet Meininger Kern passed away peacefully on July 1, 2026, at the Iowa River Hospice House.

Born Janet Wilkening on September 21, 1940 to Harold and Arline (Church) Wilkening. She attended school in Lamoille, and graduated from Albion High School in 1958. Janet was an avid fan of Elvis and loved to babysit.

On July 20, 1963, in Hampton, Iowa, Janet and Bob Meininger were united in marriage, and celebrated 45 years together before his passing on December 23, 2008.

Janet worked at Marshalltown Instruments for many years before the company closed in 1984 and moved to Hastings, Nebraska. Janet and Bob Meininger moved with the company, settling in Kenesaw, Nebraska, for approximately 10 years. While living in Kenesaw, Janet worked for two years at the local nursing home. Upon Bob’s retirement, they moved to Bull Shoals Lake in Oakland, Arkansas.

On December 22, 2009, Janet was united in marriage to Robert Kern. They lived six months in Oakland, Arkansas and Bob’s home in Albion for six months. Due to health reasons, they moved back to Albion permanently to be closer to family.

Janet attended the Albion Presbyterian Church religiously and sang in the church choir.

In March 2025, Janet and Bob moved into Bickford and resided there until Bob’s passing on February 9, 2026. Janet’s family would like to thank the staff at Bickford Cottage and Iowa River Hospice House for their excellent care.

In death, Janet is reunited with her parents, Harold Wilkening and Aline (Wally) Whitmore; brothers: Larry and Robert; sister, Shirley; husbands: Robert Meininger and Robert Kern; nephew, Doug Smith; niece, Crystal Wilkening; sisters-in-law: Mary Wilkening and Pam Wilkening; brother-in-law, Lloyd Kern; and step-daughter-in-law, Bridgette Kern.

Left to cherish her memory are her siblings: Jim (Ellen) Wilkening, Craig Wilkening, and Richard (Kathy) Wilkening; nephews: Bret (Kemera) Wilkening, Brad (Jayme) Wilkening, Jason (Michelle) Wilkening, Todd (Amy) Wilkening and Greg DeFrance; nieces: Shelly Parsons, Jenny (Sam) Fogle, Katie Voegler, and Tammie (Matt) French; sister-in-law, Laura Tandy; nephews: Gary (Lynn) Moorman and David (Melissa) Moorman; nieces: Sue Brahmshaw and Beth Messer; and numerous great nieces and nephews, plus great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. Also, step-sons, Mark Kern and Brad (Lori) Kern; step-granddaughters: Rachel (Wade) Wolken and Hanna (Chandler) Trautwein; step-grandson, John (LeAnne) Kern and Micheal (Megan) Kern; and step-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:30 P.M. on Monday, July 6, 2026, at Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Janet will be laid to rest next to Robert Meininger at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens following services. Memorial donations may be directed to the family for later designation.

Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted to care for Janet and her family. To leave online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.

~ Lovingly written by family

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