Jeanne Marie Kennedy

Jeanne Marie Kennedy

Jeanne Marie Kennedy, 70, of Centerville, S.D., died Sept. 12, 2011, at Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Viborg following a courageous battle with ALS. Memorial services will be held 2 p. m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011, at Beresford Zion United Methodist Church for family and friends to gather and celebrate Jeanne's life.

Jeanne was born Sept. 4, 1941 in Pittsburgh, Pa., to parents Ed and Ruth Knecht. After attending school, Jeanne spent the next 20 years in Montana, where she raised her three children, David (Linda) Haider of Chinook, Mitchell (Leann) Haider of Chinook, and her daughter, Katherine who passed away.

While Jeanne lived in Havre, she enjoyed many good times with her friends. Jeanne especially enjoyed bowling and time with her family at the Bear's Paw Mountains cross-country skiing, hiking, fishing and even a little deer hunting. She moved to South Dakota where she met the love of her life, Jerry Kennedy. They were married in 1978. Together they spent a lot of their free time doing what they loved: camping in the Black Hills and other beautiful campgrounds in South Dakota. They enjoyed trips to the Sturgis Rally every year and trips to Montana to be with family and friends. Jeanne truly loved gardening, crafting and trying her luck at casinos.

Jeanne worked 20 years at Sioux Valley Hospital before retiring. She belonged to the Centerville Garden Club and was on the ROC bus committee, which was an excellent benefit to have available to her.

Jeanne's zest for life was big and full of love, and that's exactly how she lived it. Grateful for sharing her life are her husband; her children; eight grandchildren; three sisters; and one brother.