Howard L. Kennedy, 89, died Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at Bethesda Nursing Home in Beresford, SD.  A Memorial Service will be 1:30 PM, Saturday, November 4, 2017 at Beresford Zion United Methodist Church.  A memorial visitation will be 5:00-7:00 PM Friday, November 3 at the church with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM.


Howard Kennedy was born April 13, 1928 in Beresford, SD to Walter and Ethel (Soderstrom) Kennedy. He proudly served his community as Mayor of Beresford for eight years as well as serving in the South Dakota State Legislature for twelve years. He left this life as peacefully as he lived. His children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many friends he made through his experience in public service gave him great joy. Howard attended Millbrook Rural School, Beresford High School and Sioux Falls College.  As a high school athlete he lettered in football, basketball and track, holding the mile record for several years.  He then worked for Reynolds Construction Company.

After marriage, he farmed in Brooklyn township.  As his family grew and became involved in 4-H he was chairman of the Lincoln County 4-H Leaders Association.  He was a charter member of the Lincoln County Planning and Zoning Commission, Chairman of Lincoln County Board, and held several offices in Brooklyn Evangelical Free Church and was currently a member of Beresford Zion United Methodist Church.  Howard was an enthusiastic traveler and Alice Mae learned to pack their bags in a couple of hours when he decided "let's go!" Together they visited all but seven of the fifty states, Washington D.C., Mexico, Canada, and Western Europe four times.

They retired to his hometown in 2001 where he went to coffee at Patty's with friends every day and as mayor, rode his bicycle around town to keep aware of local activities, street conditions and citizen suggestions or complaints. Due to multiple health problems he became a resident of Bethesda of Beresford in 2014.  His family is appreciative of the tenderness and love of the nursing home caregivers.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in the store for me the crown of righteousness, which is the Lord, the Righteous Judge will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

Howard is survived by his loving wife, Alice Mae, Beresford, SD; two daughters, Laurel (Milton) Shearer, Torrance, CA and Margaret (Steve) Elfstrand, Rapid City, SD; two sons, Jack (Kathleen) Kennedy and Tom (Terri) Kennedy, all of Beresford, SD; sister, Helen Grace, Beresford, SD; two brothers, Charles (Helen) Kennedy, Rochester, MN and Robert (Darlene) Kennedy, Beresford, SD; 18 grandchildren, Faith Shearer, Whitsett, ND, Aaron Shearer, Torrance, CA, Amy (Chris Farley) Kennedy, Dan (Heidi) Kennedy, Sam Kennedy, all of Beresford, SD, Andrew (Amber) Kennedy, Rapid City, SD, Eric (DeeDee) Bresee, Wall, SD, Clint (Jenna) Bresee, Sioux Falls, SD, Kate (James) Westra, Ann (Andrew) Boden, Matthew (Aggie Stout) Kennedy, all of Beresford, SD, Joseph (Sarah) Kennedy, Midland, SD, Laura (Brent) Horner, Bismarck, ND, Molly Kennedy, Milbank, SD, Char (Jamie) Soukup, Wagner, SD, Christine (Nathan) Graves, Yankton, SD, Courtney Cowan and Ray Cowan, both of Beresford, SD; 19 great-grandchildren; and special family members Fredrik and Charlotta Wising, Lerum, Sweden.


He was preceded in death by his daughter, Ruth; grandson, James; granddaughter, Ellen and his parents.