Donna Kennedy

Donna Mae Kennedy was born on July 16, 1946 to Harry and Nona (Brinkmeyer) Bahn in Luverne, Minnesota. While growing up Donna attended school at the Jasper High School, in Jasper, Minnesota, graduating in 1964. During her high school years, Donna worked at Pate’s Café. On December 12, 1964, shortly after graduating high school Donna married the love of her life Jan Kennedy, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Jasper. Their marriage was blessed with the birth of their five children, Michael, Holly, Ryan, Cullen and Jesse. Together they moved around to a few areas including Minneapolis, Minnesota where Donna worked at Tescom Corp and in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where she worked at Ravens Industries. Donna and Jan moved to Jasper, Minnesota where they farmed before moving to Woodstock, Minnesota and then moving to a farm west of Pipestone, Minnesota, they loved working side by side one another every day. When their farming days were behind them, Donna briefly worked at the City Administrator Office, part-time at the Pipestone Liquor Store and at Minnegasco/MidAmerican Energy from 1980 until her retirement in 2014. Throughout her later years, Donna became owner and operator of Antiques on the Square in Pipestone, Minnesota. The antique store was very near and dear to her heart as buying and selling antiques was a passion of hers.

Donna and Jan were faithful members of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Pipestone, Minnesota. Donna had a strong faith and she showed her love for God and other through helping with Toys for Tots, Eclipse Crisis Center and being involved with Meals on Wheels in Sioux Falls. She loved to stay busy - she was always reading or writing short stories and poetry, decorating cakes or spending time outside riding motorcycle, tending to her flowers or camping. Donna loved to spending time with her family, creating many fun memories that will last a lifetime. She will be remembered for love of all things Christmas; the decorating, Christmas breakfast and playing games. Donna’s willingness to do anything and her ability to laugh so easily will be deeply missed by those who had the privilege to know her. January 1, 2025, Donna died surrounded by her loving family at the Pipestone County Hospice House in Pipestone, Minnesota

Donna is lovingly remembered by her husband, Jan Kennedy of Pipestone, Minnesota; children, Michael (Monica) Kennedy of Pipestone, Holly (Brian) Johnson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Ryan (Debra) Kennedy of Sioux Falls, Cullen (Mandy) Kennedy of Nicollet, Minnesota, Jesse (Roxy) Kennedy of Nicollet, Minnesota; siblings, Phyllis (Merv) Guthmiller of Rockerville, South Dakota, Robert (Ann) Bahn of Muscatine, Iowa; grandchildren, Madeleine Kennedy, Matthew (Sarah) Kennedy, Dallas (Amanda) Johnson, Dakota (Kyle) Murphy, Dexter Muldoon, Britney (Brandon) Kennedy, Haley Ross, Carson (Eli) Hunt, Henry Kennedy, TJ Kennedy, Nona Kennedy, Sebastian Kennedy, Atticus Kennedy; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Nona Bahn; and sister, Marjorie Jean Bahn.