Irene Leona Kennedy, 72, Ada, passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at the Ottawa County Health Center, Minneapolis. She was born December 16, 1939 to Melvin and Adeline (Benike) Wyss in Marinette, WI.

Irene grew up in the Cushing, WI area where she attended grade school. She graduated from St. Croix Falls, WI High School in 1958. Irene moved to Salina where she met John Kennedy and they were married October 23, 1964 in Salina. She and John moved to Ada in April 1971 where they made their home.

Irene had various jobs throughout her lifetime. One of the most enjoyable was when she babysat for Diana (Boucek) Peck and Jeanette (Boucek) Roberg. Irene enjoyed baking, crocheting, gardening, and being a homemaker.

She was preceded in death by her husband John Kennedy on November 12, 2002; her father; and her brother John.

Survivors include her mother Adeline Wyss of St. Croix Falls, WI; four sisters Jean Albright and her husband Ken of Salina, Doris McClain and her husband Bruce of Grantsburg, WI, Pat Edgerton and her husband Chris of Stacy, MN, and Donna Overby and her husband Bob of Pine City, MN; two brothers Sam Wyss and his wife Donna of Reserve City, NM and Harvey Wyss and his wife Sue of St. Croix Falls, WI; sister-in-law Carol Benge of Palestine, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, January 14 at the Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis with Pastor Michele McHenry officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Ada. Visitation will be from 2 P.M. to 8 P.M. Friday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ottawa County Health Center or Love, INC.