Vernon M. Kennedy 1936-2013

KENNEDY, BENKE, RUDEN

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 1/6/2015 at 20:55:33

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Friday, August 30, 2013

DYERSVILLE, Iowa - Vernon M. Kennedy, 77, of Dyersville, died Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013, at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Iowa City.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 2, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, with the Rev. Noah Diehm officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Kramer Funeral Home, Dyersville, where a vigil service will be held at 7 p.m.

Vernon was born July 13, 1936, in Farley, son of Clarence and Leona (Benke) Kennedy. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in Farley with the class of 54.

He married Joan Ruden on June 13, 1959, in Dyersville. Together they farmed south of Dyersville and he continued to help his son on the farm until his last day. Vernon also did custom combining for area farmers for many years.

When he was younger, Vernon played basketball and semi-pro baseball on several area teams. He enjoyed a good visit with nearly anyone, and he loved to watch his son and grandchildren in their activities and sports.

Surviving are his wife, Joan; a son, Tom (Vicky), of Dyersville; three grandchildren, Mitchell, Bradley and Danielle Kennedy; five siblings, Patrick (Nelda) Kennedy, of Placid, Yvonne (Duane) Werner, of Dyersville, Sheila (Jim) McQuillen, of Omaha, Neb., Leo (Helen) Kennedy, of Dubuque, Lloyd (Judy) Kennedy, of Placid; a sister-in-law, Linda Ruden, of Dubuque; and a brother-in-law, Earl (Karen) Ruden, of Dyersville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother-in-law, Dennis Ruden.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.

We wish to thank the emergency room staffs at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque and at the University of Iowa Hospital for their excellent and skilled care.