John F. Kennedy, age 61, of Carroll, IA, passed away on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at Accura Healthcare in Carroll surrounded by his family.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, February 11, 2022 at Central Church in Carroll with Pastor Ryan Gallegos officiating. Casket bearers will be Dean Promes, Jonathan Minnehan, Austin Minnehan, Andy Pothoven, Todd Tidgren, Joe Promes, Nathan Kennedy, and Michael Kennedy. Honorary casket bearers will be John’s nieces: Tiffany Hupp, Kayla Promes, Jennifer Kennedy, Marissa Promes, and Hannah Promes. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Jefferson, IA.
Visitation will be held at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll from 5 – 7 P.M. on Thursday evening. The casket will be moved to Central Church at 9:30 A.M. on Friday where visitation will resume until 10:15 A.M.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in John’s name for a later designation.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com
John was born November 17, 1960 in Jefferson, IA, and he was the son of Vincent and Doris (Garnett) Kennedy. He grew up in Jefferson where he graduated from high school in 1979. He attended Buena Vista College where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education. John taught art at Paton-Churdan, MOCFV in Orange City, Emmetsburg, West Harrison, and South Central Calhoun in Rockwell City. John coached softball and basketball during his teaching career. He retired from teaching in 2021 and fought a courageous battle with cancer. John was a member of Central Church in Carroll. He enjoyed golf, painting, pottery, wood burning, and playing 16” softball. John’s passion was his career in teaching and coaching. He had a kind and loving heart and always went out of his way to help those who needed a teacher to believe in them.
John is survived by his fiancée Renee Minnehan of Carroll; his mother Doris Kennedy of Jefferson; two sisters: Becky Kennedy of Mediapolis, IA, and Denise Promes (Dean) of Jefferson; a brother Tom Kennedy of Jefferson; a sister-in-law Diane Kennedy of Jefferson; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. John is also survived by Renee’s children: daughter Morgan Minnehan (fiancé Andy Pothoven) of Elkhart and sons: Jonathan Minnehan (Tasha) and Austin Minnehan (Rachel) both of Churdan; and Renee’s grandchildren: Kamryn, Tucker, Finn, and Kinley.
John was preceded in death by his father Vincent Kennedy and his brother Robert Kennedy.