Emma Jean Kennedy

EMMA JEAN KENNEDY

Manchester

Emma Jean Kennedy, 87, of Manchester, Iowa, died Monday, Feb. 5, 2018, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester from cancer and complications. Per Emma's wishes, there will be no visitation or services. Private burial will be at East Side Cemetery in Elkader at a later date.

Emma was born Sept. 29, 1930, the daughter of Silas and Carrie (Lewis) Smith, near Hopkinton, Iowa, the eighth of nine children. She graduated from Manchester High School, and was united in marriage to William T. "Bill" Kennedy of Manchester. For most of her working career, she was in the health care field, and was a long-time employee of Dr. Tappan and Dr. Landis, optometrists in Elkader, and of Home Instead in Dyersville. She also volunteered as an EMT.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Manchester, and enjoyed refinishing furniture, gardening and spending time with family and friends, including card club and coffee group. She had a special place in her heart for her dog, Charlie.

Survivors include her children, Jane Jackson of Marion, Bob (Linda) Kennedy of Cedar Falls, Doug Kennedy of Altoona and Lori Thomas (Ric) of Marion; grandchildren, Lindsay, Jill, Brandy, Rachel, Jessica, Patrick, Bill and Cameron; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ruth Moser and Betty Conrad; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill; brothers, Arba, Doran and Donald; and sisters, Belle, Corinne and Mae.

Memorials may be directed to Camp Courageous of Iowa.

Condolences may be sent online to www.leonard-mullerfh.com or to Bob Kennedy at 943 Parkway Court, Cedar Falls, IA 50613.