Doreen A. Kerns-Sambrano, 85, of Cherokee passed away on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Accura Healthcare in Cherokee.
Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, June 13, at 10:30 a.m. at First Church of Christ in Cherokee. Mr. Chuck Erickson will officiate. Burial will be at Grandview Cemetery in Quimby. Following burial, the family would like to invite everyone to First Church of Christ in Cherokee for lunch and a time of fellowship. Visitation with the family present will take place on Friday, June 12, from 5-7 p.m. at Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers the family request contributing to a memorial fund in honor of Doreen sent to Meriden Evangelical Free Church for church summer camp for kids, at 412 E. 3rd, Meriden, IA 51037
Doreen was born on Nov. 14, 1940, to Elery and Sylvia (Parker) Kerns of Cushing. She graduated from Washta High School in 1959. She was united in marriage to Daniel Sambrano on Dec. 10, 1961. They later divorced.
As a teenager she worked at Swezzy’s Burgers in Cherokee. Then she moved to California. While she was in California, she lived with her uncle Dale and aunt Hellen Kerns and helped them with childcare. Doreen worked several places in her life, some of which include Alpha Beta Supermarket and Kinney’s Shoe Warehouse where she was a foreman. She started her own landscaping business, Doreen’s Greenery, and worked for the United States Postal Service in California and later transferred to Aloha, Ore., and retired in May 1996.
As a child she attended the Methodist Church in Washta. As a young woman she attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Simi Valley, Calif. She was a prayer warrior and member of Calvary Chapel Church in Cherokee. Doreen lived in several places over her lifetime but always found a Bible-believing church to attend wherever she lived. Her faith was an integral part of her life. She was a woman of great faith and loved serving in children’s ministry.
She loved any time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren. Doreen had a grandmother’s heart and shared it with many.
She was a foster parent and guardian ad litem for foster care children for many years. Always going the extra mile to care for and protect little ones.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Elery and Sylvia Kerns; brother James Kerns; and niece Jill (Brown) Berge.
Doreen is survived by her four children: Daniel Sambrano of Yoder, Colo.; Denise (Baldamar) Pulido of Cherokee; David Sambrano (Rosy) Ramirez of Simi Valley, Calif.; and Dawn (Shawn) George of Cherokee; 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren: Joseph, Kenny, Daniel Thomas and Sarah Sambrano; Marissa Pulido; Tahtae (Chris) Trumbull; Tatiana Pulido; and Ella Pulido; Jessica (Autumn) Sambrano and their daughter Justice Mullenix; Nick (Paloma) Keith and their daughters, Leona and Aliana; Katie (Weston) Burkhardt and their sons, Elias and Noah; and Michael (Summer) Herwig and their children, Logyn Lura, Wyatt Luke and Carter Kaytlin; also many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.
