Mass of Christian Burial for Patrick “Pat” Kennedy, age 84, of Spirit Lake, will be held on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at 10:30am, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Milford. Visitation will take place prior to the service, from 9:30-10:30am, at the church in Milford.
Patrick “Pat” Ernest Kennedy, 84, of Spirit Lake, passed away unexpectedly at his residence on February 19, 2023.
Pat, son of Judge Edward F. and Gwendolyn (Coy) Kennedy, was born on August 31, 1938,in Sibley, Iowa. Pat attended and graduated from Sibley High School in 1956. After graduation he followed his older brother Frank to Washington D.C. where they worked together at the Federal Bureau of Investigation and enrolled in American University. When Frank left to go to Drake law school back in Iowa, Pat moved to Glendale, California,and went to work for the US Post office and then took a career job with the Los Angeles County Clerk of Court where he worked as an assistant to the clerk.
Pat enlisted in the National Guard and successfully completed his service years.
While living in California,Pat greatly enjoyed his time with his brother Tom and his wife Kay and their children,as well as his father’s older sisters,the “aunts”. Pat retired when he was fifty-two years old and returned to Sibley where he lived with and helped his mother Gwen. During the first part of his retirement,Pat helped prepare income tax returns for Frank and his nephew Joe Feller in their law office in Sibley. In the late 1990s Pat bought a home and moved to Arnolds Park, Iowa.
Pat enjoyed the rest of his life at the Iowa Great Lakes with a special friend Theresa Robinson. He liked to golf, bike ride and go kayaking. Most of all he enjoyed going dancing with Theresa. Pat and Theresa also traveled together on cruises to the Caribbean, Panama Canal and Hawaii.
Pat was a good athlete in his youth. He played varsity basketball and was known for his speed and accuracy. He also loved to sing in the Sibley high school glee club and choir. Pat liked to ride his motorcycle when he was younger and always appreciated nice cars. In retirement he also enjoyed a good walk and reading books.
Pat lived his life as a devoted member of the Catholic Church and in later years was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus in Milford, Iowa.
Pat leaves to cherish his memory, the love of his life,Theresa Robinson of Arnolds Park; his sisters, Mary (Peggy) Price (Jerry) of Jupiter, Florida and Kate (Kathy) Billings of Riverview, Florida; brothers,Joe (Monika) Kennedy of Concord, Ma. and Dick (Norine) Kennedy of West Des Moines, Iowa; sister-in-law,Jean Kennedy of Spirit Lake, Iowa,along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Joan and brother-in-law Henry Feller, brother Tom and sister-in-law Kay Kennedy and brother Frank.
Turner Jenness Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.