Lucille Kernohan, 96

Helen “Lucille” Kernohan passed peacefully from this life Nov. 6, 2023. Her family and friends are filled with gratitude for the 96 years we were blessed to have her in our lives.     

Lucille was born Nov. 21, 1926, in Kansas City, Mo., to John and Ellen Killingsworth. After migrating to California, Lucille grew up on a chicken farm with her older siblings, Dorothy and Frank. A member of the greatest generation, she came of age during the Great Depression and lived a life that bore witness to some of the world’s greatest conflicts and achievements.  

At the age of 21, Lucille was married to her first husband, with whom she had three wonderful children. Lucille would end up raising her children on her own with an inspiring level of determination. She was extremely proud of her 30-year career at the Pacific Bell telephone company. While working full-time, she created a happy home and enjoyed making dresses for her girls and watching her son play baseball, memories of which she could recall with perfect detail.     

It was while working at Pacific Bell that Lucille met the love of her life, Tom Kernohan. They were married in 1968 and with his three children, they blended their two families into one. Together, they enjoyed being of service in their community, camping in their motorhome with the Pioneers, and watching their family grow. They retired to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 1991, where they continued their lives as loving grandparents who enjoyed traveling to see children and grandchildren across the country. They became active members of Lutheran Church of the Master and Lucille took comfort in the fellowship she found there following Tom’s passing in 2002.

Gifted in crochet and sewing, Lucille produced beautiful afghans, quilts and baby blankets, which were treasured gifts for graduations, weddings and births that marked many of life’s milestones for family and friends. A creator of tradition, she brought joy to holidays and made memories that found new beginnings in the homes of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will live on in each batch of Chex mix, a box of See’s Candy and a pan of cheese potatoes. She loved watching baseball and Lawrence Welk; Sunday dinners and ice cream; getting freshly curled hair and bright lipstick; quilting and crafting with church friends; and the many small dogs lucky enough to find themselves in her lap. She was the best at holding your hand and looking at you with beautiful blue eyes full of love.

Lucille was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, Thomas Kernohan, and her stepdaughter, Kay Sabina. She is survived by children Kathy (Arnie) Moan, Larry (Karen) Kernohan, Barbara (James) Midgley, Alan (Brenda) Grooms, and Ralph (Mindy) Kernohan. She was further blessed by 14 grandchildren (Kelly, Stacy, Jay, Sandy, Brian, Jeff, Kristen, Sara, Karen, Scott, Becky, Holly, Lauren and Lindsey), 26 great-grandchildren who gave her the beloved title of “Gigi,” and three great-great-grandchildren.  

A funeral service will be held Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Master, 4800 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Lutheran Church of the Master or Hospice of North Idaho (www.hospiceofnorthidaho.org).

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Lucille's online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.