Cecelia Mary (Kennedy) Linstad

She was born September 28, 1920 in Ruthven, Iowa, to John J. and Mary Enid (Hicok) Kennedy. She lived in Iowa until she was 8 years old. The family moved to the Morris, Minnesota area when Cecelia was still a child. There she helped her mother and father on the farm until she was 18. She graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Morris. She then left her home in 1943 to move to Yakima, Washington where she worked for several private employers. She married Floyd Leroy Linstad on April 9, 1944 in El Paso, Texas where Floyd was assigned with the US Army.

Mom loved her family dearly and loved helping them in any way she could, always ready with a meal or her infamous creme puffs. She loved reading, sending cards and letters with all kinds of pretty stickers picked especially for her family or friends. She loved her garden, flowers, and keeping her yard park-like.

One of her favorite things to do was to take her children swimming at Lions Pool. Although she couldn’t swim she would float around the pool with us… great memories.

Mom’s friends were her extended family. They were always there for her and often visited her when she moved into assisted living care. Fred and Marie Halverson, Don and Jean Chappell, Lindy and Ed Parkins, Sandy and Steve Doyle, Joanne and Norman Nashem, Denise and John Filliol, Stan and Colene Gleason, their family members, her wonderful neighbors Granny Thorsen and the Woodhouses, and her friends at Gleed Orchard Manor. Thanks to all of you for visiting her and keeping her in your thoughts and prayers.

Mom was preceded in death by her parents John and Mary, her husband Floyd (1992), brothers John Francis Kennedy (1984), Patrick J. Kennedy (1998) and sister Elizabeth A. Kennedy (2016).

Survivors include her sisters, Johanna Kennedy Fragodt, Maple Grove, Minnesota, Veronica A. Kennedy, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Margaret E. Kennedy (Alex) Leitner of Mineral, Virginia. She is also survived by her daughter, Diana Mary Linstad and her son, David Floyd (Joyce) Linstad both of Yakima, her grandchildren Cory (Emily) Linstad and their children Monika and Justin, Chad (Tessa) Linstad and their children Michael, Carson, and Delaney, Kelly Engquist and her daughters Jessica (Billy) Craig, and Paige Engquist all of Yakima.

Special thanks to her sisters, her niece Dani, and the McNamara family (Betty, Diana, Jerry, and Bill) for their unconditional love and support throughout the years; to Carol Linstad for her continued friendship; to Eileen and Howard Henley and the staff of Summitview Assisted Living for their love and care for the past 5 years; and to Memorial Hospice for their comfort and support these last few weeks.

Rest in peace Mom. Your singing, sense of humor, and incredible strength will be dearly missed.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society c/o Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, July 14, 2017 at Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home with vigil starting at 6:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 15, 2017 at West Hills Memorial Park. To share a memory of Cecelia visit www.lepfuneralhome.com