Inga Bernice Kennedy

Inga Bernice Kennedy, 86, of Winston-Salem, closed her earthly eyes Saturday, March 16, 2024, and opened them in Heaven welcomed by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  She was born in a small town in Gully, Minnesota on February 19, 1938, to the late Bendick and Bernice Vatsaas and raised on a farm in Thief River Falls, MN with her three brothers and two sisters. When she was 17, her brother brought to the farm one of his Air Force friends SSG James Kennedy.  We were never sure if the attraction was his good looks, his humorous personality, his generous heart, or the fact that his next duty station was Hawaii. She never said but it was always their inside joke, and they were married on November 19, 1955. Inga was a military wife for 16 of their nearly 45 years of marriage before settling down in the southside of Winston-Salem after James retired from the USAF in 1971.  Four children came from their union, two girls (Cyndee and Susan) and two boys (Ernie and Bobby). She raised these kids by herself during Mr. Kennedy’s two separate 13-month tours during the Vietnam conflict. It could not have been easy for her, but she “held down the fort” in his absence with an abundance of love, understanding, and the occasional needed swat on the behind. Inga was known to cook for 6 but feed 8-10 even if that meant she had to pretend not to be hungry and eat a sandwich later so her portion could be given to some extra kid at the table. A quiet reserved person, she had a servant’s heart and her actions always spoke louder than her words. One of these kids that she often fed stated “Your mom was a humanitarian.  If you were hungry, she fed you.  If you needed a place to stay, she always found a spot. If you just needed a hug, she was always there to give one.” No truer words were ever spoken. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Kennedy was preceded in death by her beloved husband James in 2000; her daughter Susan in 2006; and brothers Ben Vatsaas and Jerry Vatsaas.  She is survived by her daughter Cyndee Phelps; sons Ernie Kennedy (Lynn),  and Bobby Kennedy (Sandy); eight grandchildren that she loved unconditionally, Kristin Woody (Chaka), Sara Bates, Trey Kennedy (Jennifer), Chad Kennedy, Corey Kennedy (Emma),  Dylan Kennedy (Jessica), Austin Kennedy (Caroline), and Frances Speaks (Chris). Her great grandchildren that she loved to spoil are Laura, Nathan, Bella Grace, Harper, Carolina, Emmie, Madison, Taylor, Grayson, Grainger, and Carter (Due May 9). She is also survived by her brother Duane Vatsaas, Sister Jo Ann Offerdahl (Del Ray), and sister Patsy Kjensrud (Richard) all of Thief River Falls and a host beloved nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service for Mrs. Kennedy will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 2:00pm at Clemmons United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Fitzgerald officiating. 

To quote one of my daughter in laws.  “Grandma was truly one of a kind.  Her kind, genuine smile was one that could make you feel loved without a single word needed. A hug from her was special and she had that rare ability to love and accept people just as they are. You could tell how big her heart was by how she was always thinking about others before herself. Your mom left a mark on many people that were lucky to have known her. We will continue to miss her presence, but she will be in our hearts forever”. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to  https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/