Bernice C. Kennedy

Bernice was born on August 23, 1921, 10:30 am, in Duluth, Minnesota. She was the second daughter of Pastor “Al”, Joseph, and Lydia Carlson.Bernice spent her childhood days in Duluth, Winona, Minneapolis and eventually Oakland, Nebraska where her father pastored churches.

In 1936 the family moved to Chicago where Bernice graduated from the Free Church Academy High School in 1939. Bernice’s first job after graduation was as a script writer and editor for WBBM (CBS) radio station. Her friends called her “Barnie”!From 1946 to 1950, Bernice lived in Winona and Rochester Minnesota where she was employed as a buyer for the stores of Nevilles and O’Conner. This job led to her moving to Lincoln, Nebraska where she was a buyer for Ben Simons in the girls’ and boys’ departments.In 1954 Bernice began working in the office of the University of Nebraska, Health Center, City Campus, where she eventually retired as the Business Manager in 1984. Bernice married Emmitt Kennedy, (who was widowed), on April 7, 1975, and together they lived in their home on Mohawk Street.

They travelled extensively to many locations in Europe and in the United States. After Emmitt passed away from cancer in 2004, Bernice continued to live in their house on Mohawk Street where she welcomed and entertained many people in her home.God blessed Bernice with a very sharp mind. She had a wide range of interest in the many books that she read, with her Bible as her most cherished. Bernice gave many Bibles away during her lifetime as she would read them many times and then pass them on. Bernice was a regular attender at Bible teaching churches, attended many Bible studies, and she supported multiple Christian ministries.

As her health started to fail her, Bernice was blessed with many loving friends who supported her; her excellent skilled Care Givers who attended to her increasing physical needs; and her girls who faithfully stayed in her home each night. During the night of Wednesday, June 21st Bernice fell in her home and was taken by ambulance to St. Elizabeth Hospital where a CAT-SCAN revealed a broken leg. Choosing not to have surgery, Bernice was transferred to Hillcrest Firethorn where she passed away peacefully Sunday, June 25, 2023, at 6:30 am.

A memorial celebration of life for Bernice will be held Thursday, July 6, 2023 at 10:30 AM at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S. 14th St, Lincoln, NE 68512.