Jean A. Kennedy, 90, of East Dubuque, IL, passed away on Sunday afternoon, March 16, 2025 at home surrounded by her family.

Family and friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Miller Funeral Home in East Dubuque, where the parish rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. There will be an additional visitation on Thursday at St. Mary’s Church in East Dubuque from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m., where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, with Fr. James Weighner and Fr. Edilberto Jarapa officiating. Burial will follow in the East Dubuque Cemetery.

Jean was born in McGregor, Iowa on March 7, 1935, the daughter of Gilbert “Butch” & Rebecca (Magnusson) Peterson. She was a graduate of McGregor High School, Class of 1952. After graduation, Jean moved to Dubuque. She worked for Interstate Power Company where she met her future husband, Kenneth “Neighbor” Kennedy. They were united in marriage, on September 20, 1958, at St. Raphael’s Cathedral, in Dubuque, IA.

Jean worked as a distributions manager for John Deere starting in 1958. She retired in 1992 after 34 years. In her retirement Jean enjoyed golf, traveling, playing cards, winters in Apache Junction, AZ, and an afternoon beer at a local establishment with friends and neighbors. Jean was also part of the Red Hats Society. Most of all she enjoyed watching her grandchildren do what they loved attending numerous dance recitals, volleyball, basketball, football, softball, and baseball games. If she could not be there in person, she was glued to her screen watching virtually.

Jean is survived by her son, Scott & daughter-in-law Sheri Kennedy of Prairie du Chien, WI; her four  grandchildren, Lauren, Allison, Claire, and Liam; special friend Tom Francois and his ten children and their families; sister, Edith Nading of McGregor, IA; three sisters-in-law, Dorothy Peterson of McGregor, IA, Doris Hart of Lake Geneva, WI, and Maurelia Kennedy of East Dubuque, IL; along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Ronald Peterson and Bill Peterson; sisters, Vonnie (Rob) Klotzbach, Milly (Chuck) Gaulke; sister-in-law, Alice (Ray) Overhouse; brothers-in-law, Marvin Nading and Clare Hart; special niece, Pam Sparrgrove; other nieces and nephews; and dear friend, Pat Francois.

In lieu of flowers, a Jean Kennedy Memorial Fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com©