David L. Kennedy — Rochester

David Leslie Kennedy, 68, of Rochester, passed away Thursday night, Oct. 27, 2016, at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, Minn.

David was born June 19, 1948, in La Crosse, Wis., to Leslie and Dorothy (Vian) Kennedy.

David was raised in La Crosse, where he loved to fish, swim and play softball. He worked for a forestry department, identifying and removing trees, and the city highway department, before finally owning and operating his own bar, where if you stopped by, you could always catch him singing a song and smiling.

While living in La Crosse, he met and married Celia Wintrick. They had a daughter, Stacy Kennedy. They later divorced. After his divorce from Celia, David met and married Shirley Walker. They had a son, Tyrel Kennedy. David and Shirley divorced and David moved to Rochester, where he worked for Marigold Foods. There he lived for the next 30-plus years, fishing and loving every day with his friends and family.

David was the kindest man you could've met. He never had much, but what he had he'd give away if someone else needed it. He was the greatest grandfather, the best brother, son and father that anyone could've ever asked for. Everyone else always came first before him. He will be deeply missed by all.

David is survived by a daughter, Stacy Kennedy and her daughter, Caitlen, of Holmen, Wis.; a son, Tyrel (Stephanie) and their daughters, Elizabeth and Brooklyn of Byron, Minn.; his stepson, Brandon (Christina) Allegree and family; two sisters, Cindy (Gary) Neumeister and their children, Ashley Neumeister and Kelsey (Jerimiah) Littman of La Crescent, Minn., and Wanda, (John) Van Lin and their son, Adam of Stevens Point, Wis.; a brother, Bob (Lynda) and their children, Robby and Eric of Texas; nieces and nephews, Carmen (John) Berzinski of La Crescent, Gary Jr. (Jean) Kennedy, and Nicki and their families.

David is preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Kennedy; father, Leslie Kennedy; a brother, Gary Kennedy; and sister, Judy Blank.

A memorial gathering will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Fossum Funeral Home, 510 Second Ave. S., Onalaska, Wis., where friends may pay their respects. A private family burial will follow at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Online condolences may be left at www.fossumfuneralhome.com.

David will be greatly missed by all who knew him. We want to thank the Chosen Valley Care Center for all their assistance and care.