Katherine Kennedy 01/03/2013

Katherine Ruth Kennedy, age 25, of River Falls, died at approximately 7:30 a.m. on January 3, 2013 at the scene of an auto accident on an icy road in Pierce County. At the time of the accident Katie was on her way to a job that she loved at Helmer’s Printing Co.  Katie was born on June 5, 1987 in Wausau and was the daughter of Coleen Kennedy and Brad Kennedy. She graduated from Newman High School in Wausau in 2005. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2009.  Katie had many interests and many accomplishments. She was on the swim team from grade school through high school. While at the University of Wisconsin she served as the steward of Babcock House, a cooperative dormitory. This was a very responsible position in which Katie made good use of her fine organizational skills. Katie held many jobs but she truly enjoyed her most recent position at the publishing company.  Katie was an independent thinker and a take charge kind of person who was always ready to pitch in and help others. She was very reliable and people knew they could always depend on her. She had a wonderful wit, was an avid reader, and loved to bake. She loved her home on the farm in River Falls, and one of her proudest accomplishments was helping in any way she could there.  Katie is survived by her best friend, Bob Bennett, and their family in River Falls; her mother, Coleen Kennedy, her father, Bradley A. Kennedy, her stepfather, Michael Juers, her stepmother, Jane Dolan, and her brother, Kevin Kennedy, all of Wausau. She is also survived by her sisters Cat Dolan of Madison and Clara Kennedy of Wausau, as well as her step-brother Ryan Juers of Wausau, her grandmother, Ruth Derse, of Milwaukee, her grandparents Audrey and Emil Meitzner of Solon Springs, her grandmother, Alice Kennedy of Loyal, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.  A Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 5 pm at River Falls Assembly of God. Visitation was also Tuesday from 3-5 pm at the church.  There was memorial service at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 10, at Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.  Rev. Paulette Creswell of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Wausau will officiate.  Private interment will follow. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at the chapel on Thursday.   Katherine lived her too short life to the fullest and left a lasting imprint on all those she touched. She was a devoted daughter and a loyal friend. We lost one of the good ones. Grant her eternal rest O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon her.   Arrangements were with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services of River Falls, and Brainard Funeral Home, Wausau.

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