Florence Olivia Kennedy

Age 102 of Madison, formerly of Monticello, died Monday, March 3, 2014 at the New Glarus Home. Florence was born on January 19, 1912 in Washington Township, Green County, the daughter of Jacob and Rosina (Theiler) Blum. She attended Marty Country School and graduated from Monticello High School in 1929. Florence and her high school classmate (sweetheart), Edwin Kennedy, were united in marriage on February 14, 1931 in the Zwingli U.C.C. Parsonage in Monticello. They lived for 10 years in Monticello where they were both were associated in the family business, The Monticello Woolen Mill. The family moved to Milwaukee in 1941 and to Madison in 1949. Florence was employed as one the first associates of Gimbel's Department Store at Hilldale before retiring in 1977. Following her retirement, Florence and Edwin moved to Apache Junction, AZ until returning to Madison in 1982. Florence's family was very close and they all took an interest in their son's activities including cub scouts, Drum and Bugle Corp, and the NRA. Florence was an independent woman who lived in her own apartment in Madison until moving to the New Glarus Nursing Home at age 100. She was very proud of her family as they brought her much joy. She was a member of the Monticello Historical Society, was a wonderful cook, loved to read (especially biographies), play euchre and yass, and was proud to be a lifelong democrat!

She is survived by her granddaughters, Gretchen (Ross) Graber, and Teegan (Travis) Ewald, both of NY; great grandsons, Isaac and Pierce Graber, and Ashton Ewald; daughter-in-law, Dorothy "Dee" Kennedy of Madison; nephews, Lorenz Heim and Lawrence (Joan) Hefty; and nieces, Lorene (Francis) Beers and Kris Kennedy. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edwin in 1983; her sons, Patrick Kennedy in 2006 and Charles Kennedy in 2007; and two sisters, Olga in 1964 and Rosa in 1998.

Private family graveside services will be held in Highland Cemetery, Monticello. A celebration of Florence's life will be held at a later date. The Voegeli-Newcomer Funeral Home, Monticello, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be given at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net