Elaine Kennedy

Elaine Kennedy, age 90, formerly of Sibley, IA died Tuesday, November 8, 2011 in Rosemount, MN. Elaine was born to Fred and Esther (Johnson) Olson in Little Falls, MN on December 1, 1920. She attended school in Little Falls and completed teacher training at St. Cloud Teacher�s College, and taught country school in the Little Falls and Benson areas for five years. She met Bob Kennedy when he was home on furlough. They married September 28, 1946 in Little Falls on her family�s farm. They moved to Benson where they operated a restaurant, and later a Red Owl grocery store. Bob and Elaine transferred to Sibley, Iowa in 1953 where they managed a Red Owl store. They purchased the store with Nick Probst in 1957 and became sole owners of the store in 1967. They �retired� from the store in 1976. Elaine and Bob were active in the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley. Elaine was involved in UPW and Circle, and at various times had taught catechism and vacation Bible school. As a couple, they had fun working together and in their retirement enjoyed traveling. Elaine enjoyed her neighborhood coffee group that gathered weekly over years. She always had a craft of some kind �in progress�. Every Christmas she had a special home made gift for her children and later her grandchildren. Holidays were wonderful times for Elaine, as she always looked forward to having the family �at home� for the activities. Many Christmas holidays were planned around a special theme, often involving her current project. She was a gracious, kind, sweet, and loving mother, grandmother and friend. Elaine lived her faith and taught her children unconditional love. Her Bob died in 1994. In 2003, she moved to Heartwood Heights in Sibley, and later to an assisted living home in Hastings, MN. For the past three years, due to declining health, she has lived at Roseview Assisted Living in Rosemount, MN, where she received loving care prior to her death. Her family is very grateful to all the staff at Roseview Assisted Living. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bob, and brother Robert. Elaine is survived by her four children, Jan and husband Jerry Matula of Hastings, MN, Jim and wife Lila of Rock Rapids, IA, Jerri Lynn and husband John Grush of Boone, IA, and Mary of Spencer, IA; six grandchildren, Michael Miller (Allison), Kate Spindler (Matt). Joe Kennedy, Sarah Cooke (Travis), Lindsey Yordi (Travis), and Jill Grush; four great-grandchildren, Roben, Ivy, Parker, and August; two brothers Edward (Lois) Olson of Overland Park, KS and Richard (Charlotte) Olson of Odin, MN; two sisters, Vi Paul of Conroe, TX and Beverly Ellefson of Plymouth, MN. The Funeral Service for Elaine Kennedy will be held 1pm Saturday, November 12, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley, Iowa with a visitation held two hours prior to the service at church.A Memorial Visitation will be heldfrom 5-8pm Tuesday, November 15, 2011 atthe United Methodist Church, 615 West Fifteenth Street inHastings. Local Arrangements were handled by CATURIA-SMIDT FUNERAL HOME, Hastings. 651-437-9419. Arrangements in Sibley, Iowa are being handled by the JURRENS FUNERAL HOME at www.jurrensfuneralhome.com