Marie Kathryn Kenney passed peacefully on December 2, 2018 in her home in Lincoln at 98, following an evening with her family sharing stories and recounting joyful traditions.
Grandmother to all, Marie showed us patience, love and kindness, and taught her family to “Count it all joy…” (James 1:2-8). Born March 28, 1920 on the family farm near Firth, Nebraska to Mabel Tally Hale and Beckham Hale, she survived the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, and exemplified what it meant to be a part of the Great Generation. Independent until the very end she was devoted to keeping her family together she became “Grammy” to all who joined her circle of love, and to providing family for those who were torn from their own roots. She was known for her peanut brittle, stuffed dates, hand dipped Christmas candy, and feasts that kept family and friends at the table long enough to feed their bodies and nourish their souls.
Many will remember her as the Charles of the Ritz cosmetic consultant at Miller & Paine/Dillards where she blended fine powders and foundation for her faithful clientele. During the war, she worked at Elgin Watch Co. as a master quality inspector on the highly classified, side-winder tracking technology for U.S. Air Force bombers.
She was a 1938 graduate of Lincoln High School, an active member of The Women’s Heritage League of Lincoln, and a lifelong, active member of First Evangelical Covenant Church.
Preceded in death by parents; her husband, Vincent Vedder Kenney; brothers and spouses Harold and Jean Hale, Midlothian, TX, Merle and Betty Hale, Wymore, NE, sister Dorothy and William Baumfalk, Cortland, NE; cousin Dick Boerrigter, Wymore, NE; nieces and nephews: Hal Hale, Midlothian, TX, Dottie (Bob) Meints, Beatrice, NE.
Survived by daughter, Karen (Kenneth) Stanley Lincoln; grandsons Chip (Maren Banwell) Stanley, Lincoln, Kris Stanley, Astoria, NY; great grandsons Sam, Micah, and Benjamin Stanley, Lincoln; brother Beck Hale, Elkhorn, NE, nieces and nephews Becky (Charles) Wise, Omaha, NE, Randy (Deb) Hale, Sandy, UT, Barbara (Bob) Sandlin, Yukon, OK, Alan (Caren) Baumfalk, Sturgis, SD, Terry (Rhinda) Baumfalk, Kokomo, IN; cousins: Betty Bennington, Colorado Springs CO, Letha Boerrigter, Wymore, NE, Vicki Francis, Topeka, KS, Steve (Gale) Boerrigter, Dacula, GA, extended family: Gina Paul, Lincoln, Molly Robinson, Ridgewood, NY, Vernamae Johnson, Thais and Kray Kibler, Rev. Aaron and Lenore Johnson, Evelyn Johnson, Chicago, IL. Craig and Kellie Johnson, Lincoln, NE; Dave and Ane Banwell, Lincoln, NE; and many generations of dear family and friends.
Visitation: 3-5 p.m. Sunday, 12/9 at Roper & Sons 4300 O St. Lincoln.
Funeral service: 10 a.m. Monday, 12/10 at First Evangelical Covenant Church 6400 L Street, Lincoln.
Memorials: First Evangelical Covenant Church or Women’s Heritage League of Lincoln.