J.W. 'Pat' Kenney

March 23, 1925 — February 26, 2011

Joseph William 'Pat' Kenney, the son of Willis and Leone (Stratton) Kenney, was born March 23, 1925 in Cherokee, Iowa. His childhood years were spent in Cherokee, where he received his education, graduating from Cherokee High School. Following his schooling, he entered the military and served with the U.S. Navy during WWII. He was very proud of the service to his country and he served as a 2nd Class Radio Man, serving on many ships including the USS Rochambuez Transport, USS Gavia AM 363 Minesweeper and the USS Peftam Minesweeper, until his honorable discharge in April of 1946. Pat married Lorraine Hammen on June 15, 1948 in Varina, Iowa. Following their marriage, he began working for Northwestern Bell Phone Company in Storm Lake. He was later transferred to Estherville, Iowa, where he was a Central Office Technician for 25 years before moving to Spencer in 1979, where he was a Test Center Manager at N.W. Bell and later US West, until his retirement in 1984 after 35 years of service. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church Parish, where he served as an usher, served as Grand Knight in the mid 70's with the Knights of Columbus, a lifetime member of the VFW. He was a member of the American Legion and the Telephone Pioneers. Pat was one of the 1200 WWII veterans that were honored in Washington, DC on October 13, 2009. He and Lorraine celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their children on the Enchantment of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruise and their 60th wedding anniversary at Lake Okoboji surrounded by friends and family. He also was honored at his 70th and 80th birthdays with surprise parties planned by his children. Pat was our handyman and was always offering a helping hand to his friends and family. He loved his golf, traveling to Colorado to visit his kids, playing cards and was a member of two dance clubs. Pat donated to the American Red Cross Bloodmobile all of his life and delivered meals on wheels until he was 84. Pat passed away at his home in Spencer, Iowa on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at the age of 85, surrounded by his family. His parents preceded him in death. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Lorraine; his children: Patricia and her husband, Tony Fouts, Dick Kenney, Terri and her husband, Bruce Cunningham, MaryKay Lux and her fianc�, Gary Toft and Melissa Kenney; six grandchildren; two great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

SERVICES

Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer. A military flag presentation will be conducted by American Legion Glen Pedersen Post #1 and V.F.W. Clay County Post #3159 both of Spencer following the services at the church.

OFFICIATING

Father William Schreiber

CASKET BEARERS

David Lux - Bruce Cunningham James Kraus - Don Kraus Bob Kraus - Larry Lenz Gary Toft - Randy Lenz HONORARY CASKETBEARERS Stan Andersen - Doc Archer Jack Andeits - Knox Campbell Cliff Hunt - Jerry Kimball Bud Myers - Frank Rose Dave Severson - Robert Weis

VISITATION

Visitation will begin 2:30 P.M., Tuesday, March 1, with the family present from 5:30 to 8:00 P.M., Tuesday Evening, with a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 6:30 P.M., and a Vigil Service at 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, all at the Warner Funeral Home in Spencer.

MUSIC

'Amazing Grace' 'Prayer of St. Francis' 'On Eagle's Wings' 'O Loving God' 'How Great Thou Art' By Barb Ambrosius ORGANIST: Marianne Fuchsen

INTERMENT

Mt. Zion Catholic Cemetery Fonda, Iowa at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, March 1 following the lunch at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer. Officiated by Father Siby Punnoose of the Fonda Parish. In Lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial fund that will be given to Iowa Hospice in Spirit Lake, Iowa

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