Donald Eugene Kennedy, 90, formerly of Belle Plaine, of Keenesburg, Colo., died Monday, Sept. 14, 2026 at his residence.

Donald Eugene Kennedy was born May 1, 1936, at Belle Plaine to George Garfield Kennedy and Mary Helen (Reathaford) Kennedy. He grew up in Belle Plaine, where he attended the local public schools. He graduated from Belle Plaine High School with class of 1954.

Don was united in marriage to Rose Marie Mercer on Jan. 29, 1954, at Wichita, and four children were born to this union: Terry, Leland, Donald, and Michele.

Don began working for the Rainbow Bread Company in Wichita. His employment with the company continued into management positions in Grand Island, Neb., and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, before transferring to Dallas, Texas. He retired to Colorado in 1978. Don continued to work as a cat-wheel loader driver for Western Timber from 1978 to 1993 in Mancos, Colo. He had also worked in maintenance for the Colorado School of Mines for five years in Golden, Colo.

Don loved traveling, and he and Rose Marie had visited all 50 states except Hawaii.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, John D. Kennedy and Raymond George Kennedy; one sister, Erma Maicki; one infant brother, Charles Dean Kennedy; and one son, Terry Eugene Kennedy.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Rose Marie Kennedy; two sons, Leland Dwayne Kennedy of Denver, and Donald Gail Kennedy and his wife Thirza of Golden, Colo.; one daughter, Michele Dawnette Kennedy of Keenesburg, Colo.; one sister, Mary Evelyn Reddington of Louisville, Colo.; four grandchildren, Shawn Kennedy, Terrance Kennedy, James Kennedy, and Kasse Kennedy; nine great- grandchildren, Kayla Hicks, Tytan Kennedy, Penny Kennedy, Lylah Rose Kennedy, Daniel Kennedy, Christopher Kennedy, Amelia Calvert, Noah Calvert, and Elianna Calvert; and a number of other relatives and friends.

Graveside service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, in Belle Plaine Cemetery, Belle Plaine, with Pastor Lorna Boden officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Plaine Cemetery. Arrangements are by Ebersole Mortuary, Conway Springs. Online condolences and guest book are available at www.ebersolemortuary.com.