Sonia "Toni" Kerns

Sonia "Toni" Kerns, 85, of Rockwell City passed away Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Saturday June 21, 2025, at the United Methodist Church, Lohrville. Burial will follow in Rosehill Cemetery, Rockwell City. A visitation will begin on Saturday at 9:00 AM at the church.

Toni is survived by her daughters, Kerri (Earl) McAlexander of Rockwell City and Kristen (Whit) Wheeler of Arlington, VA; grandchildren, Brittany (Daniel) Hemesath, Jacob Wheeler, and Sarah Wheeler; also brother, Lee Mapes of Louisville, TN.

She was preceded in death by her father, Franklin Buckmaster; mother, Louise (Pearson) Buckmaster Mapes; grandson, Jacy McAlexander; step father, Merle Mapes; and step brother, Merle Mapes, Jr.

Sonia Kay Buckmaster was born April 6, 1940, in Adaza, Iowa. She was raised and educated in Lohrville, graduating from Lohrville High School in 1958. On June 7, 1959, Sonia was united in marriage to John Kerns and the couple made their home in Lohrville. They farmed and Sonia worked in the banking and tax field for 40 years, including O'Connell and Schuman Bookkeeping and Tax Service and First Community Bank of Rockwell City. The couple later divorced. In 1999, Sonia moved to Rockwell City. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Lohrville, United Methodist Women, Order of the Eastern Star, GFWC, PEO, Rotary Club, Red Hat Society, ESTUDO Club as well as volunteering with the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and the Friends of the Library. She was awarded the Paul Harris award for Rotarian of the Year. Sonia also served two terms on the Stewart Memorial Hospital Board and as the President of the Stewart Memorial Hospital Auxillary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.