Gloria June Kenagy 1933 - 2009

KENAGY, WILLIAMS, JOHNSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/16/2013 at 10:23:38

Sioux City Journal
6 December 2009

SIOUX CITY -- Gloria June Kenagy, 76, of Sioux City died peacefully Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, following a brief illness in Mesa, Ariz., surrounded by her loving husband, children and grandchildren.

Per Gloria's wishes, she was cremated. A celebration of life will be in Apache Junction, Ariz. A brief memorial service and visitation, with the children and grandchildren present, will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Wesley United Methodist Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Merrill Muller officiating. A celebration of life will be in the spring in Sioux City with Dwight and the family present.

Gloria was born Jan. 12, 1933, at Braddyville, Iowa, to Merl and Geneva (Williams) Johnson. She went to live with her grandparents, Clyde and Grace Johnson in Braddyville, at age 5. She attended school and graduated from Braddyville High School, where she was the salutatorian of her class.

She married the love of her life, Dwight Kenagy, on June 18, 1951, in Clarinda, Iowa. They lived in Mountain Home, Idaho, and Wichita Falls, Texas, while Dwight was with the U.S. Air Force and moved to Sioux City in 1956. They had three children, Joleene, Gene and David. Gloria was a stay-at-home wife and mother until 1968, when she went to work part-time at Stevenson's while her husband was in Vietnam. She worked at Stevenson's until retirement. In the summers, she helped with her husband's haying operation. After they retired, Gloria and Dwight bought an RV and began their search for the perfect retirement spot.

In 1985, they found their second home in Apache Junction, Ariz., where they spent their winters as snowbirds. They had done extensive traveling in their retirement years during which she earned the nickname "Margarita Mama." Gloria enjoyed participating in activities with her children and grandchildren, planning Arizona block parties and other special events involving family and friends along with going to garage sales. She always loved a good "surprise." She enjoyed watching the Phoenix Suns play basketball and loved seeing them in person.

She was baptized and a member of Crescent Park United Methodist Church. She was one of the founding members of ARC (Association of Retarded Children) and received recognition from Vice President Hubert Humphrey for her dedication.

She is survived by her husband, Dwight; their children, Joleene Nelson and Jack Nelson, Gene (Bonnie) Kenagy and David (Danette) Kenagy; grandchildren, Matthew (Kim) Nelson, Sarah Nelson, Jessica, Keith and Brian Kenagy; and great-grandchildren, Alex and Austin Nelson, Ashlyn Thiele, Mia Thiphasouk, Dante Thomas and Sierra Jackson.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents; her father and mother; and many special aunts and uncles.

Condolences may be sent to Dwight Kenagy, 702 S. Meridian No. 980, Apache Junction, AZ 85120.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Gloria Kenagy's name to St. Luke's Children's Miracle Network.