Laura Kennedy Obituary

Funeral services for Laura Marie Kennedy, 99, Lawrence will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 18, 2012 at Clinton Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow at Clinton Cemetery. She went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 15, 2012 at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community in Lawrence. She was born near Stull, Kansas on October 20, 1912 to Michael and Louisa Elaina (Schafer) Kropf and lived her entire life in the Stull and Clinton communities. Laura loved her childhood on the farm and spent a lot time with her Collie dog and with her trusty Quarter horse Queen. She became known to some in the area as the "The Queen of the Hills" as she was often seen regally riding that great horse. In 1941 she became the loving wife of Harry G. Kennedy fully enjoying life, farming and working together side by side until his untimely death in 1980. She deeply loved her family and her Faith was of utmost importance to her, making every effort to live that Faith and impart it to her family. Laura was a member of Stull United Methodist Church as well as the Clinton United Presbyterian Church and taught Sunday School as well as taking an active role Church Christmas functions at both. She was personally committed to and very aggressively supported the needy as well as several Christian and under privileged causes. Laura had a very positive attitude and encouraged her children to excel and she assisted in every way she could. Laura enjoyed playing checkers, and had a passion for poetry. She was also known for her awesome Lemon Meringue Pie. Laura is survived by her daughters Gloria (Ralph) Leonhard, Dr. Elaine Kennedy (Mark Bernstein) all of Lawrence, KS as well her son Dan (Carol) of St. Marys, KS. She was preceded in death by grandson, Eric Stobaugh in 2006 and is survived by five grandchildren, Gina (Bryce) Schumann, Lawrence, KS; Michelle (Russ) Paluch, Tracie Suter, Chicago, IL; Jordan (Megan) Stobaugh of Raleigh, NC and Amy (Jace) Johnson of Dwight, KS; as well as twelve great-grandchildren: Wyatt Schumann, Dylan Schumann, Jessye Schumann, Kassidy Schumann, Ben Paluch, Margo Paluch, Chloe Suter, Brett Suter, Brice Suter, Jhet Johnson, Atley Johnson and baby Stobaugh. The family will greet friends from 4:30 -7:00 p.m. Friday, February 17, 2012 at the Warren-McElwain Mortuary. The family suggests memorials to Clinton United Presbyterian Church or to Stull United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com