Grace Ellen Kennedy, daughter of Simon and Grace Blake Thompson, was born November 14, 1947 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She was a 1966 graduate of East Moline High School and then attended beauty school. Grace married Marion Dale Rotz in 1969, they later divorced. In 1978, she married Leo Kennedy, they also divorced. She worked as a beautician briefly before starting her career with Pella Corporation in 1977; at the time of her retirement in 2007, she served as a facilitator in the Slimshade raise and lower department. Grace was a member of the Lady Eagles and she enjoyed trips to the casino.

Grace's family includes a son, Bryan Rotz of Knoxville; a daughter, Kim Kennedy of Oskaloosa; four grandchildren: Samantha and Nick Rotz and Eric and Grady Kennedy; step-children: Dwight(Barb)Kennedy of Prairie City; Dwayne(Twila)Kennedy, Darcy Norton and Doug Kennedy, all of Knoxville; eleven step-grandchildren; several step-great-grandchildren; four brothers: Robert(Lucille)Thompson of Beacon; Jack Thompson of Marshalltown; Jerry(Sharon)Thompson of Oskaloosa; and Howard(Ellen)Thompson of Oskaloosa; and three sisters: Margaret Gorman(Gene Lempke)of Rapid City, Illinois, Peg(Ken)Bowman of Colona, Illinois and Becky Thompson(fiance, Easman Poe)of Oskaloosa.

Besides her parents, Grace was preceded in death by brother, Roger Thompson and a step-son, Dan Kennedy. Memorial contributions may be made in Grace's name.

Visitation will begin at 11 am Friday morning, March 4, 2011 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel. The family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 pm to greet visitors. Funeral Service 10:30 am Saturday morning, at the funeral chapel with Pastor Dwayne Poe of the First Church of the Open Bible officiating. Graveside Service 1:30 pm March 7, 2011 at Beacon Cemetery in rural Beacon; a procession will form at 1 pm at the funeral chapel to proceed to the cemetery together. Interment Beacon Cemetery.