- Date Of Birth: May 23, 1924
- Date Of Death: February 23, 2014
- State: Minnesota
Blanche Mae Kennedy, 89, of Benedict, MN, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2014 at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids with her loving family by her side. Blanche was born on May 23, 1924 in Ruthton, Minnesota the fourth child and only daughter of five children to Gilbert and Agnes “Sue” (Hanson) Williams.
As a young girl they moved to the hills south of Lake Benton. Later they moved to the west end of Lake Benton. They were the Wild West end kids! Blanche graduated from Lake Benton High School in 1942 she was one of nineteen in her class. Following graduation Blanche went to work for the ammunition plant in Minneapolis during the wartime. She met Charles Gordon Kennedy of Pipestone in October 1945. They got married on December 29, 1945. They lived in Pipestone before moving to Akeley and then to Benedict in 1950. To this union six children were born. Blanche worked for many years as a waitress and cook at different restaurants in Walker. Charles, her husband of 49 years, passed away on February 27, 1995. Blanche joined the Walker American Legion Auxiliary in 1955 and she held many local offices. She was also a member of the Akeley VFW and the Ex POW’s. She was also active with Immanuel Lutheran Church in Walker.
Blanche loved watching sports of any kind, having a big garden, canning and baking. She was also well known for her Rye Bread.
She was preceded in death by her husband Charles, parents; Gilbert and Agnes, brothers; Orvylle, Vernon and William, sister in-laws; Lenora, Marge and Joyce, and one brother in-law Joey Kennedy.
Blanche is survived by her children; Charles and wife Cynthia Kennedy of Circle Pines, Susan and husband Charles Harlow of Sauk Centre, Gary and wife Connie Kennedy of Benedict, David and wife Josefa Kennedy of El Paso, Laurie and husband Rodney Hooker of Lake Alice, Elsbeth Baker of Elk River, 22 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, brother Gailard (Peggy) Williams of Payson, 2 sister in-laws; Lucille Williams of Lake Benton and Beverlee Kennedy of Pipestone, other relatives and many, many friends.
