Joan Kennedy

Joan Lucile Kennedy of rural Schleswig, age 61, was called home on October 18, 2014, due to complications of pancreatic cancer. While the cancer tried to claim her mind and body, Joan’s heart and soul remained unflinching to the end, determined to battle for every minute spent with loved ones at her home. She dedicated her life to others, leading a life that all should strive to emulate.
Joan Lucile (Marquardt) Kennedy was born October 16, 1953, at Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa, to Edgar and Benita (Johannsen) Marquardt. She was baptized in Christ November 22, 1953 at Immanuel Lutheran Church Schleswig and later confirmed on March 19, 1967. Joan spent most of her childhood on the Marquardt family farm south of Schleswig, until her senior year of high school when the family moved to town. To the end, she always had a deep connection to the farm as her home and recounted many fond memories of growing up there. Joan received her education at Schleswig Community School and graduated in 1971. Following graduation, she spent her time caring for her aunt, Helen Marquardt. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Des Moines, received her nurse’s aide certification at Iowa Methodist Hospital, and found employment at Eventide in Denison.
Joan married the love of her life, Dann Kennedy, April 5, 1975 at St. Rose of Lima in Denison. For two years, they made their home in Schleswig. They then moved to Jefferson for Dann’s job, where they began their family. Joan’s devotion to her parents quickly brought them back to Schleswig, where Dann and Joan would start their own family acreage in 1979. It was here where Joan found her calling. Not only would Joan devote her life to the well being of her own children and husband, she decided to provide daycare to children of the city of Schleswig. Until stricken by the disease that would eventually take her life, Joan had a positive impact on the growth and development of hundreds of Schleswig’s sons and daughters for over 30 years. There was no end to the depth of caring and love that she showed to her family as well as the children she cared for each and every day in her daycare. She opened her heart and gave her time to whoever needed it, and required nothing in return. Joan lived a life of selflessness. Joan also enjoyed decorating her home, collecting antiques and angels, being outdoors, and most of all, spending time with her grandkids.
She was preceded in death by: her sister, Joyce; her parents, Edgar and Benita; sisters-in-law Deb and Gwen; brother-in-law John ; her father-in-law, Laurence; mother-in-law, Shirley ; her grandparents Edward and Emma; Carl and Hulda; two nephews, Adam and Collin; and one niece Amanda.
Joan’s spirit will be cherished and carried on by her husband of 39 years, Dann; daughter Mindi Jo and significant other, Rick; son Matthew and wife Claudia; son Michael and wife Brien ; daughter Holly. Her siblings: Charles and his wife, Rhonda; Craig and his wife, Deb; Steve and his wife, Kathy; eight grandchildren: Ricky, Randen, and Rihanna; Ryleigh, Kyla; Katie; Hayden and Presly ; Aunt Elfie; two sisters-in-law Alysen and Karen; four brothers-in-law Rick and his wife, Kathy; Gerald and his wife, Karen; Tom and his wife, Lee; Wayne and his wife, Sandy; countless nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.