Karla Ruth Dynneson Kennedy

July 7, 1948 ~ June 19, 2025

It is with the most profound sadness that we announce that Karla Ruth Dynneson Kennedy passed away, after a long illness, on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at her home. Karla was a supportive wife and partner in ministry to her husband, who was a longtime Pastor of Triumph Evangelical Free Lutheran Church in Nogales, Arizona. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence Christian Dynneson and Gola Alice Opdahl Dynneson. Her husband, Ted H. Kennedy, Jr., passed away only 40 days before Karla. She is survived by three younger sisters, Miriam (David) Ramse, Pauline (Bill) Eardensohn, and Lois (Steve) Haag, and two sons, David (Maria) Kennedy and Matthew Kennedy, as well as nieces and nephews.

Karla was born on July 7, 1948, to Lawrence Dynneson and Gola (Opdahl) Dynneson in Nogales, Arizona. Karla’s parents were of Scandinavian descent and moved to Nogales in April 1948 to explore ministry opportunities. Her first home was a small trailer house located on the hillside just outside the city limits, where Lawrence had purchased two acres of land. Later, three more girls were added to the family.

Karla attended 1^st and 2nd grades at Lincoln School in Nogales before the family moved to Minnesota, where Lawrence attended college and seminary. There she attended grades 3-6, and later grades 7-9 in Louisville, Mississippi, where Lawrence served three congregations. In 1963, the family of six moved back to Nogales. Due to contracting hepatitis, she was quarantined for six weeks while maintaining her good grades. 

During her High School years, she participated in the choir and was part of a folk group called the "Misfits" for two years, as well as for one year while attending the University of Arizona. Karla graduated from Nogales High School in 1966 as a member of the National Honor Society. She also worked part-time at the local museum.

Following high school, she attended the University of Arizona for one semester before attending the California Lutheran Bible School in Los Angeles. On August 30, 1969, she married Ted Kennedy, also from Nogales. The following years were spent in California while Ted pursued further studies and Karla worked full-time at Pacific Mutual Insurance Company. In 1976, they moved to Minnesota, while Ted attended seminary and Karla worked at an ink company. In 1979, they returned to Nogales to serve the congregation that Lawrence had founded. They took up residence in one of the houses on the two-acre compound. Over the next 30 years, she worked for the Bell/Qwest phone company and retired in 2010. In 1982, their first son, David, was born. In 1985, their second son, Matthew, was born.

Karla had the gift of hospitality, often attending to the needs of elderly neighbors and friends. Her large table served her well in hosting holiday dinners, birthdays, and special events. She taught Sunday School, served as the church organist, and participated in various church events. She was active in the Nogales Zonta Club and served as president for a term. Karla and several of her high school friends enjoyed traveling together for annual outings over the years. After her father passed away in 2002, Karla helped her mother and became her close companion.

When Karla was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), her decline was gradual, eventually losing some of her ability to function normally; later, Parkinson's and Dementia were added to her diagnoses. For the past several years, she received care at home from her husband, Ted, with the help of David, Matthew, and Lourdes Crouthers, a longtime friend and worker. Two of her sisters (Pauline and Lois) also participated in her care when available. She suffered without much pain and was slow to complain. A hospice team took part in her care over her final two years. Her faith in Jesus was genuine, and her desire to share with others remained strong.

Everyone was invited to join their congregation to celebrate her life in loving memory on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Triumph Evangelical Free Lutheran Church, located at 429 E. Patagonia Highway, Nogales, AZ. 85621. Adair Caroon Mortuary in Nogales, Arizona, handled all final arrangements. A private family burial was conducted at 9:00 a.m. on the same day at the church's plot in Nogales Cemetery. They held the burial before the service due to the heat.

In place of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Dynneson Family Trust, 429 E Patagonia Hwy, Nogales, Arizona 85621.

 

                                                   

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