Obituary of Ellen Leone Kennedy

DUBUQUE, IOWA

Ellen L. Kennedy, 87, of Dubuque and formerly of Dyersville passed away Sunday, December 8, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at The Church of the Resurrection in Dubuque, with burial in Resurrection Cemetery at a later date.

Ellen was born on June 13, 1937, in Ledyard, IA, the daughter of Jack and Ella (Murray) McDonald. Ellen graduated from Ledyard High School and went on to earn her teaching certificate from Briar Cliff College. She proudly taught first grade for five years.

She married James Kennedy on December 27, 1961, in Ledyard, IA. Together they raised their family in Bancroft until moving to Dyersville in 1980 and eventually Dubuque became their home.

Ellen’s interests were reading, cooking, shopping and puzzles. She loved the holidays and spending time teaching her children and grandchildren all of her best recipes. She was extremely fond of her grandchildren and her great grandchild.

Most of all Ellen loved philanthropy. Together with her husband, they helped to develop many community-based facilities, such as the Ellen Kennedy Living Center in Dyersville, the Ellen Kennedy Fine Arts Center in Cascade and the Ellen Kennedy Fine Arts Center in Anamosa.

Survivors include her husband, James; children: Dr. Sarah (Andrew) Roby of Winterset, IA, Dr. Susan Kennedy of West Des Moines, IA, Dr. Joseph (Monica Straub) Kennedy of Robins, IA, Daniel (Ruth) Kennedy of Marion, IA, James Jr. (Carrie) Kennedy of Dubuque and Michael (Teresa) Kennedy of Dubuque; 17 grandchildren: Catherine, Alex, Lauren, Jessica (Tim), Jack, Ellen, Sean (Maggie), Tom, Peter, Erica, Adam, Sam, Ella, Mya, Max, Nora and Frank  and 1 great grandchild: Charlie.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings: Mary Ellen McNerney, Bill McDonald, Joe McDonald, Doris Drake, Dennis McDonald, James McDonald, Patricia Jorgensen, Rose Gelhaus and Francis McDonald

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (https://givenow.lls.org/give/) or the charity of your choice.

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family.  Information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com.