Evelyn Kennedy

Evelyn “Evie” Frances Kennedy , age 89, of Grantsburg, passed away October 18, 2017, at Burnett Medical Center’s Continuing Care Center (BMC-CCC). Evie was born on October 6, 1928 in Bronx, NY to parents, Mary (Schaal) and James Vizard. She was the youngest of four children. Evie had a deep appreciation for the written word, and would read “anything and everything.” She would fondly tell of the day her mother took her to the New York Public Library to get a library card when she was just 5 years old. To her, the library was a special place full of adventure and possibilities. Evelyn was also a beautiful writer of journals and letters. She met her husband DeGross “Dick” Kennedy through the Lonely Hearts Club, writing letters to each other before finally meeting. They married on her 30 th birthday, October 6, 1958, in North Carolina. They settled in Milwaukee and eventually moved to Falun. They were married for 20 years. Evie was a homemaker and also worked different factory jobs throughout her life. She was a hard worker who always took pride in her work, no matter the task. After Dick’s death, Evie moved to Crexway Court Apartments where she was secretary for the resident council meetings, helped deliver meals, checked doors and ran Bingo games. She believed in exercise as a way of life. She was a member of Grantsburg Curves, PACE of Grantsburg, and Grantsburg Fitness Center, where she was an inspiration to other members with her dedication and energetic workouts. Evie loved listening to music, especially classic rock and pop. She also enjoyed watching crime shows; gardening; playing penny cards with friends; crocheting; and cooking. Evie was a fiercely independent and private individual with a generous spirit. She often gave to others in need, when she herself had very little. Her quick wit and sense of humor were ever present even during difficult times. The motto she lived by was “the past is the past….just forge ahead!” In 2014, Evie moved into BMC-CCC and resided there for over a year. One of her greatest accomplishments in her later years was to return to the community to live independently for another year and a half at Big Gust Apartments. She worked hard to remain there, until it became too difficult. The loving staff at BMC-CCC welcomed Evie back in June of this year where she spent her final months. Evelyn is preceded in death by her husband, Dick; parents, James and Mary; one sister, Helen; and two brothers, James and John. Per Evelyn’s request, there will be no funeral service. Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home of Grantsburg. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com