Jack Kennedy
Jack L. Kennedy died April 28, 2022, on his 55th wedding anniversary. Jack was born Sept. 5, 1943, in Denver, the eldest of three children of Jack and Leona Kennedy. He was raised on a farm in northeastern Colorado, where he developed a love for the land and having fun. Pranks and practical jokes were his forte in high school, including releasing baby skunks in the movie theater, setting outhouses on fire and messing with the local cops.
He learned the value of hard work at an early age. This work ethic served him well throughout life as a farmer and county commissioner. Jack was known for his common sense, ability to get along with people and letting you know if he thought something was the right decision — a stubborn streak that didn’t stop.
On April 28, 1967, he married Nancy Stout. After graduating from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in education, he taught industrial arts until he returned home to farm. He often bragged that none of his students lost a finger in his shop classes. Three children and six grandchildren were raised on his farm. One adorable great-granddaughter arrived in 2019.
Family was the most important thing to Jack. He went out of his way to make sure that all of the grandchildren spent lots of time with Nancy and himself. Their home functioned as a bed and breakfast that rotated grandchildren through for decades, learning how to play cards, how to cheat at cards, how to shoot a gun and how to drive under his watchful eye.
His children never knew whether he or the grandchildren were actually running the show. A snap of the fingers would bring him running to see what they wanted. He was fluent in SpongeBob SquarePants, iCarly and The Office. Never one to hold back from speaking his mind, he wasn’t afraid to jokingly ask his family if they forgot to fix their hair that day or to offer to pay a seamstress to fix his granddaughter’s distressed jeans.
Friends were invited to stop by the farm anytime for his “man” parties. Men and his granddaughters were the only ones allowed to attend, where stories were told, beverages consumed and heated political debates ensued. Through it all, lifelong friendships were developed and nurtured even after he moved to Holdrege, Nebraska, in 2019.
His final years were spent learning to root for — and be disappointed in — the Nebraska Huskers football team, enjoying visits from his family and taking trips with Nancy. A woodworking shop allowed him to make furniture for his home and his children’s homes. Sharp-witted, compassionate and generous defined his character.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Janelle Hovel; and his beloved Jack Russell terrier, Luna.
Those who will miss him, his gentle spirit and contagious laugh include his wife, Nancy Kennedy of Holdrege; three children, Anita Dow and DeWane of Holdrege, Dan Kennedy and Leah of Clay Center, Nebraska, and Celena Kennedy of Sidney, Nebraska; six grandchildren, Evan Dow and fiancee Morgan Hamling, Abby Kennedy, Hannah Kennedy, Aaron Dow, Rebecca Kennedy and Madalyn Kennedy; great-granddaughter, Zelda Walston; sister, Jodel Ramirez; three brothers-in-law, Barry Hovel, Roger Stout and Jim Wozniak; and two sisters-in-law, Barbara Stout and Denise Wozniak.
A Mass of Christian burial was scheduled for Wednesday, May 4, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Holyoke, with Father Jerry Rohr as celebrant. Interment was set to follow at the Holyoke Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Holyoke Volunteer Fire Department.
Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege and Baucke Funeral Home in Holyoke are providing arrangements.
Expressions of kindness and caring can be shared with the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.