Shirley Arlene Kennedy

Shirley A. Remer Kennedy, 98 — mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend — has returned to her heavenly home to rest. Shirley lived a full life and leaves behind a beautiful legacy of faith, family, and love that was deeply felt by all who were blessed to know her.

She was born on February 6, 1927, in Le Mars, Iowa, and was raised by her parents, Clara and Henry Remer. She had one older sister and graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in music.

Shirley met her husband, Larry, in Iowa City at a local USO dance in 1945. She was visiting her sister for Easter weekend, and Larry was stationed there for pre-flight school. After being partnered with her during the dance, Larry invited Shirley on a date. Many letters and a few weekend visits later, the rest was history.

Shirley was a gifted musician, choir director, oratorio soloist, and performer in musicals and plays at the Sioux City Community Theatre and other groups. She was also a 4-H youth leader and a speaker for area religious organizations. She lived for 72 years on a small farm near Sioux City — a place of peaceful welcome and deep love. Above a door in her home hung the words “Sursum Corda,” translated to mean, “Lift up your hearts to the Lord.”

Her husband, Lawrence J. Kennedy Jr., an Air Force pilot, passed away in December 1966 while serving his country. Their youngest of 11 children was just two weeks old at the time. Shirley honored Larry’s memory throughout her life, sharing stories and experiences from their time together. She missed him dearly, and we can only imagine the joyful reunion they now share.

Our mother was a woman of deep faith. If there’s anything she would want you to remember about her, it is that she put God and her family above all else. She trusted that the Lord would always provide — having 11 children didn’t hurt either. Her greatest goal was to pass her love for God and her faith onto each of us. She lived a full life and knew every member of this big family well. Now she has gone home to the Lord and is reunited with her beloved husband and her children, Steve and Shaune.

From all of us — may the angels lead you into paradise, Mom.

Shirley is survived by her daughters: Dr. Kathlyn “Sue” Haddock, PhD (Columbia, South Carolina), Beth (John) McGrath (Lawton, Iowa), Patrice (Dave) Langenfeld (Pella, Iowa), Krista (George) Smith (Council Bluffs, Iowa), Annette (Terry) Mills (Elko, Nevada), and Amy (Mark) Weisz (Fairfield, California); her sons: Brendan Kennedy (Dewey, Arizona), Jon (Beth) Kennedy (Madison, Alabama), and Tim (Janis) Kennedy (Aurora, Colorado); 41 grandchildren; 58 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Rosemarie Kennedy; and many nieces, nephews, and friends

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence James “L.J.” Kennedy; her son, Stephen Kennedy; her daughter and son-in-law, Shaune and Eric Knowlton; her son-in-law, Jon Haddock; several grand- and great-grandbabies; her parents, Clara and Henry Remer; her sister and brother-in-law, Maxine and Gordon Lundy; and her in-laws: George and Margaret Woodard, Lavinia and Donald Mahnken, Richard and Carol Kennedy, Kathleen and Norman Gundel, and Edward Kennedy.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Holy Cross Parish ~ St. Michael Catholic Church with a Vigil at 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Holy Cross Parish ~ St. Michael Catholic Church. Her final resting place will be Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Holy Cross Parish St. Michael Catholic Church, Trinity Heights Queen of Peace, or Bishop Heelan High School.