"We enjoyed many adventures with Alice and Bill. We will feel the loss greatly but memories will be with us forever. Your friends, Shirley and Bill"
In loving memory of
Alice M. Kennedy
August 9, 1929 - November 23, 2020
Alice Kennedy was the daughter of Joe and Mabel (Pennell) Higgins. She was born in Armstrong, Iowa and lived in Burt and West Bend before moving to Bancroft.
Alice moved to Bancroft shortly after her high school graduation and immediately started waitressing at Hammerstrom's Café. She especially enjoyed the nights when the café was full due to dances at the Bancroft Ballroom. It was in the café that she caught the eye of Bill Kennedy. Though she tried to avoid Bill for a period of time, she finally agreed to go out with him. They married on October 15, 1951 and recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary.
Her family meant the world to Alice and when she was diagnosed with two late stage heart conditions, she wanted to be at home so the kids, grandkids and great-grandkids could stop in whenever. Alice and Bill's house basically had a revolving door since their return from Arizona in April 2020. She enjoyed playing Solitaire on her computer, working the daily Word Jumble, and playing the card game, 'Golf' each evening. She smiled when getting the 'good cards', but gave up good cards rather begrudgingly!
Serving people was important to Alice. Alice loved socializing and helping family, friends and the community. She served as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts, volunteering at St. Johns Hot Lunch and Altar Society, the Heritage Nursing Home, Exceptional Opportunities, and Risen Savior Church in Sun Lakes. She was a member of the Bancroft Community Foundation, Kitchen Klatter Band, Red Hat Tens, Bancroft bowling league, Bancroft and Sun Lake's golf leagues (having a hole-in-one), and was an avid Bancroft Bandit fan.
Alice will also be remembered for her delicious cooking and baking. She often told the kids that she didn't know how to cook when she got married, but Grandma Rose Kennedy taught her a lot! When the kids or grandkids came to visit, 'Alice's Kitchen' would put out some of their favorite meals or desserts ... chicken and biscuits, meat balls, spam sandwiches, roast beef and gravy, pink noodles, peach torte, Grandma Alice's cookies, rice pudding, etc. Her homemade pies could have made the cover of any cooking magazine and definitely tasted even better than they looked, especially her apple (Bill's favorite) and rhubarb!
Alice and Bill spent 31 winters in Sun Lakes, Arizona. They also enjoyed fishing in Canada and Alaska, traveling to a variety of places in the U.S., as well as Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and other European countries.
The family would like to thank Jennifer Von Bank and her staff at the KRHC Clinic in Bancroft and Barb Harms for taking such great care of Mom. She had all of you up on a well-deserved pedestal.
Surviving Alice are her husband, Bill, and seven children: Charlie and Ellengray Kennedy of Bancroft; Jan Kennedy-Allen of Vadnais Heights, MN; Tom Kennedy of Denver, CO; Teresa Kennedy of Bancroft, Mary and Russ Seiler of Humboldt, IA; John Kennedy of Clive, IA; and Bob and Liz Kennedy of West Des Moines, IA. Grandchildren are: Patrick and Lindsey Kennedy and their children Julian and Max; Stuart and Jess Kennedy and their children Landen, Iyla, and Tommy; Brian Allen, Kaitlyn Kennedy, Jake and Tiffany Kennedy, and David Seiler; and two sisters, Carol Miller of West Bend and Jane Johnston of Creston.
Preceding her in death were her parents; two-year old daughter, Patricia Rose; grandson, Andrew Kennedy; and her siblings Virl Hammerstrom, Patricia Albers, Jolene Lieb, and Tom Higgins.
A private service for the immediate family was held Monday, November 30th at the Summit Center in Bancroft with Father John Thomas and Father Gene Murray officiating. Burial was in St. John's the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Bancroft. A public Celebration of Life will be held next summer, at a date to be determined. Memorials and cards may be directed to the Kennedy Family: P.O. Box 107, Bancroft, IA 50517. The family will direct memorials to the Bancroft Community Foundation, in Alice's memory.
Tributes
"Bill and family, I am incredibly sorry for your loss. What a great lady! I spent many wonderful hours at the Kennedy house. Alice always made me feel like I was part of the family. She introduced me to those tasty spam sandwiches. I will treasure the many beautiful memories I have of her. "
"My sympathy to your family. May you have memories that comfort every corner of your heart."
"Dear Bill and family: I am saddened by the death of Alice. The Kennedy and Garry families have been close over the years and this los hits close to home for me. Sincerely, Phil Garry "
"Our sympathy is extended to the entire Kennedy family. Charlie & Linda (Nemmers) Carlson"
"My deepest condolences to the Kennedy family. Alice was the essence of kindness and gentleness, a truly wonderful person. Whenever I was in Bancroft, I always enjoyed my visits with her. She will be so very missed. Sending my thoughts and prayers."
"My sincere sympathy to Bill and his children after the passing of their wife and mother. After reading her obituary, she was a busy and active lady in her community. I?m sure she will be missed by all. May she now Rest In Peace."
"Sympathy to the entire Kennedy Family. Tim & Diane Lockwood "
"Sorry too hear about Alice prayers will be said for your family in this time of need. "
"My sympathies to the entire Kennedy family. I feel so honored to have known Alice. I\'ve only known her for a few short years, but every time I saw her, she made me feel like we were life long friends. She was beautiful, elegant and oh so sweet!! I admired her!! Rest in piece dear Alice!! Love, Mary Huizenga Johnson ?"
"Sympathy to all of the family. Hold on to all the memories at this sad time. Harris and Betty Harms"
"Your family has our deepest sympathy and are in our prayers. Mark and Teresa Bollig"
"Bill and family, Our sympathy in your loss."
"Bill and family. Our deepest sympathies to you and the family. Alice was a friendly lady and had an elegance about her that will be missed by all of you and her friends. I never saw her not looking pretty and a smile on her face. Remembering you all in thoughts and prayers during this time and in the days to come "
"Bill and family. Sending sympathy to you all in the loss of dear wife, mother, grandma and friend. May your memories be sweet as you recall life with Alice. She was a gracious, friendly lady who radiated love to all she knew. Sent with our love, prayers, and SD hugs, Rich and Carol Olson in Sioux Falls."
"Bill, Charlie and Ellengray and families. When Lael called me and told me I said \"I remember The first time I met Alice was when I was working with Lael in Her Beauty Salon. Lael introduced me to her I thought she was SO Beautiful, Elegant and yet could visit with any one. And her Smile that would then BURST INTO A LAUGH, THAT WAS PRICELESS!!. A VERY SPECIAL LADY. GOD be with you now and in the days ahead. "
"Bill & family. My deepest sympathies. So sorry for your loss."
"Alice was such a kind gracious lovely lady. She will be missed. Prayers for the Kennedy family. May she rest in peace."
"Have known Alice since I was in grade school. Many people will miss her dearly. Love and prayers to your family and friends."
"Your whole family and friends are remembered in my prayers. She was a Queen of a lady! Sister Colane Recker"
"My Deepest Sympathy, to everyone, May the Lord grant you special Blessings at this time and the Days ahead. Marie Kemna & Family"