Francis James Kennedy 1888 - 1966

KENNEDY, FORD, VERNON, BROWN, DONOVAN, HEPP

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 6/12/2011 at 18:12:42

Francis J. Kennedy Dies After Illness
Francis J. Kennedy, 77, well-known retired Estherville attorney, died today about 1:30 a.m. at Holy Family Hospital where he had been a patient since the early part of October. He had been in failing health for the past several years.

His many civic and community interests included president of the Emmet County Democratic party for 35 years; secretary of the Estherville School Board; county attorney, 1916-1920; city attorney for 11 years; Red Cross disaster chairman for several years; member of the advisory board at Holy Family Hospital; longtime director of the Emmet County Bank.

President of the Estherville Chamber of Commerce; member and past Exalted Ruler of the B.P.O. Elks; member of St. Patrick’s Parish and a trustee for many years; member of Knights of Columbus, and past president of Grand Knight of the local chapter and district deputy for the organization.

He received Papal honors as a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great civil class in 1963, was a member of the American Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association, the Emmet County Bar Association, and in June, 1962, at Cedar Rapids he received a certificate from the Board of Governors of Iowa State Bar Association in recognition of his having added to the practice of law for more than 50 years.

The son of James and Kathryn Kennedy, Francis James Kennedy was born June 3, 1888, in DeKalb, Ill. He moved with his parents to the Wallingford area when three years old and attended the rural schools there, graduated from Estherville High School, and in 1912, from the University of Iowa Law school. In 1913 Mr. Kennedy began practicing law here.

He was married Nov. 24, 1915, to Anna Ford of Graettinger and since that time, Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy have made their home here.

Mr. Kennedy is survived by his widow; three daughters, Margaret, a speech therapist in Des Moines, Mrs. Robert D. (Marian) Vernon of Cedar Rapids, and Mrs. Robert C. (Jean) Brown of Iowa City; 19 grandchildren; five sisters, Mrs. G. M. (Kathryn) Donovan, Clara and Rose Kennedy, all of Estherville; Mrs. Thomas (Mae) Hepp of Jackson and Betty Kennedy of Los Angeles, Calif.

In December 1954 his son, James, who was associated as an attorney with his father, died. He was also preceded in death by his parents.

Final rites are scheduled Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, Rev. James Fangman officiating. Rosary will be said Friday at 8 p.m. at Fuhrman Funeral Home.

Friends may call at the funeral home any time Friday until time of the services Saturday. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, March 3, 1966)