Linda Kerns, age 86, of Murdo, South Dakota, died on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Peaceful Pines Senior Living Center in Ft. Pierre.
Graveside services will be held 10:30 a.m. CDT Saturday, August 16, at the Murdo Cemetery, with Pastor Ray Greenseth officiating.
Linda Lou Dittman was born on September 9, 1938, at Presho, SD, to parents Ward and Frances Dittman. Linda grew up on the Dittman family farm northwest of Presho and attended school in Presho.
On May 27, 1955, Linda married Daryl (Pete) Kerns in Presho. They moved to Murdo in 1956. To this union were born nine children: Michael, Kim, Brenda, Michele, Steven, Connie, Lori, Bart, and John.
Linda stayed busy raising her family as well as working at a number of local businesses, including the H-Motel, Mack’s Cafe, and the local Super Value store. In 1987, Pete and Linda bought the Buffalo Bar and Restaurant business. Linda actively ran the business until 2020…she decided it was time to ‘slow down’.
Linda loved and enjoyed her family as well as many ‘adopted’ kids throughout the years. Many of the kids in the neighborhood considered her as their ‘second mom’. Over the years she supported her children’s and grandchildren’s school sports and music activities. Linda was self-taught on the guitar and loved to sing. Her cooking skills were beyond the norm. There was nothing better than coming home from school to the smell of fresh bread or fried bread. Linda’s homemade tomato soup and prime rib became local favorites at the Buffalo Restaurant.
Linda was preceded in death by her husband Pete, sons Michael, Kim, and Steven, daughter Lori, grandson Jayden Menning-Kerns, daughter-in-law Lori Kerns, son-in-law Jim McNeely, her parents, brothers Melvin, Wayne, Delbert, and Curtis, and sister Beverly.
Linda is survived by children Brenda Polk, Michele McNeely, Connie Kralicek (Kelly), Bart Kerns, and John Kerns (Carrie), in addition to seventeen grandchildren, twenty four great-grandchildren – with one on the way, and three great-great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 493 Murdo, SD 57559.
Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Murdo.