Georgie June Kershner

Georgie Kershner, 93, of Detroit Lakes, died on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes. She was born Georgie June McNelly in Detroit Lakes, on October 30, 1920 , the only child of Morrison and Clara McNelly. She lived in Shoreham, Minnesota until she was 14. When she was in high school the family moved to Detroit Lakes where her parents operated the Lakeland Cafe. Georgie graduated from high school in Detroit Lakes and attended one year of college at Moorhead State Teacher's College, majoring in music. She later graduated from Interstate Business College. While a senior in high school she met Wallace (Wally) Kershner. Georgie and Wally married in 1943 while Wally was in the Navy. They lived in New Jersey and Virginia before Wally was deployed to the Pacific for a year during WW II. In the 1960's Georgie began her career working in parish education, serving at First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, Good Shepherd Lutheran in Edina and Bethlehem Lutheran in Fergus Falls. She retired in 1986 as an Associate in Ministry in the ELCA. Georgie had a life long love of music. She played the piano for 90 years, in later years playing for church services at First Lutheran and Emmanuel Nursing Home. For many years she sang in the First Lutheran Choir and with a sextet. She was also an accomplished golfer, learning the game as a young girl. But she was admittedly a poor putter. In her 80's she embraced the computer and the internet, and was lovingly referred to by grandchildren as cyber grandma. Wally died in 1968 when Georgie was 47. She was devoted to her family and touched the lives of many. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her daughter-in-law Jean Kershner. She is survived by her sons Ron (Trish) of Detroit Lakes and Morrie (Marion) of Fergus Falls, daughter Carol Olson (Rick) of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Georgie was proud of her Scandinavian heritage and active in Sons of Norway. She was a member of the Detroit Lakes Chapter FG of P.E.O. The family is most grateful to the staff of the Madison, the Transitional Care Unit at Emmanuel Nursing Home and Hospice of the Red River Valley for their loving and professional care. Memorials are preferred to Emmanuel Foundation, Detroit Lakes, Hospice of the Red River Valley or donor's choice.