West Bend, Wi – Randal J. Kern, 66, of West Bend, WI, died after a very challenging battle with cancer on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Froedtert Hospital West Bend. He was born July 15, 1959, in West Bend to Richard and Barbara (nee Coulter) Kern.
In May of 2016 he was united in marriage to Idongesit Effiong Etok in Nigeria before celebrating their wedding here in the United States.
Randal attended Holy Angels School before attending West Bend East High School. At the age of 17 he signed up for the U.S Army. He proudly served in the army for over 27 years, retiring in 2009.
He retired as a Sgt. 1st Class and was honored to be a Special Forces Airborne Ranger. During his time in the military, he received commendations for exceptional service to his country, including the award of Soldier of the Year.
While in the Army he became a CPA and earned a master’s degree in accounting from UWM. He also learned several languages including Russian, German, Spanish.
Following his retirement from the army he worked for a military contractor in Afghanistan until coming back to the US in 2020 and retired in 2022. Randal was always very physically talented and earned his Black Belt in Taekwondo. He also loved to travel and was proud to have visited all 50 states and 64 countries.
Randal is survived by his wife of 9 years: Idongesit (nee Etok), 4 children: Randal of Taiwan, Adam, James and Mary Jo, all of West Bend and his father-in-law Effiong Etok of Nigeria. He is further survived by his siblings: Mary Jo (Gene) Helnes of West Bend, Don Kern of Hartford, Bill (Janice) Kern of West Bend, Sue (Roger) Devenport of Kerrville, TX, Joan (Gary) Kern of West Bend and Dan (Jennifer) Kern of Milwaukee, Idongesit’s siblings: Dan Etok, Esther Etok and Joe Etok, all of Nigeria, many cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents Richard and Barbara Kern, his sister Sandy at birth, his mother-in-law Aniefiok Epo and 2 sisters-in-law Sue Kern and Ima-Obong.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church in West Bend with Rev. Howard Haase presiding. Burial with military honors will follow in Holy Angels Cemetery. The family will greet visitors at Holy Angels Church from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.
The Schmidt Funeral Home in West Bend is serving the family. If you would like to leave a message of comfort and condolence, please visit www.schmidtfuneralhome.com
