Elizabeth Maralyn Kennedy, 92

Elizabeth Maralyn Kennedy, age 92, of Yuma, Arizona and formerly of Elysian, Minnesota died peacefully at her home in Yuma, Arizona on the 16th day of November 2016. Memorial Services are pending. 

Elizabeth Maralyn Kennedy (everyone called her Maralyn) was born to Loyal H. Terrell and Phinetta Terrell (nee Waldron) on the 16th of September, 1924 at the home of her parents in Elysian, Minnesota. She attended school in Elysian and Waterville and graduated from Waterville High School in June 1942. While still attending high school she met and started dating the love of her life, Robert P. Kennedy. She and Robert (Bob) knew what lay ahead of them as they were seniors in high school on December 7, 1941 when Pearl Harbor was attacked. 

Shortly after graduation in 1942 Bob enlisted in the Army and Maralyn traveled to California where she was employed by McDonald-Douglas Aircraft. She was one of the original "Rosie the Riveters." 

As soon as Bob was discharged from the army Bob and Maralyn were married on January 12, 1946. Together they had nine children: Judith, Michael, Cheryl, Robin, Elizabeth Ann, Melissa, John, Laura and Patricia. Bob and Maralyn, together with Bob's brother Harold, opened 

Kennedy Brothers' Bar in Elysian (now the location of the Thirsty Beaver). Bob and his brother Ike also took over the operation of the Elysian Dance Hall (where the city library is now located). 

In 1954, Bob and Maralyn built Kennedy's Standard Station on Highway 60 on the same plot of land where Maralyn was born in 1924. The back portion of the Station was the living quarters for the ever growing family. Bob and Maralyn operated Kennedy's Standard Station until retiring in 1981. After retirement, Bob and Maralyn split their time between Elysian and Yuma before permanently moving to Yuma. 

Maralyn is survived by seven of her children: Judith (Robert) Peach of Waterville; Michael (Judith) Kennedy of Mankato; Cheryl Kennedy of Yuma, Arizona; Robin Kennedy of Janesville; Melissa Woodling of Gainesville, Florida; Laura (Troy) Lindquist of New Prague and Patricia (Jim) Perra of Zumbrota as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is also survived by her best four-legged friend, Coco. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob, infant daughter Elizabeth Ann and son John, three brothers: Donald, Curtis and Norbert (in infancy) and three sisters: Nellie, Theda, and Janet.