Katherine Kay Kennedy-Towle

Katherine Kay Kennedy-Towle (Kathy) passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, March 15, 2025. She was born October 17, 1951, to Ken & Lois (Bishop) Kennedy in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Kathy graduated Green Bay West High School in 1970. After graduation, she attended UWGB for Early Childhood Education, then NWTC for Continuing Education, Business Administration, and Criminal Justice.

Kathy enjoyed a successful teaching career at Good Shepherd Nursery School in Howard. Kathy then opened her own in-home Childcare Service and became the Youth Director for Bethel Lutheran Church in Green Bay.

Mrs. Kathy, as she was known, was a valuable member of Sarah’s Dance Academy team for over 20 years. She was the Office Manager and handled all the administrative tasks necessary to keep the dance studio running smoothly. Her warm and approachable demeanor fostered a sense of community among the dancers, families, and staff. Kathy connected on a personal level with everyone she met and supported every dancer’s growth and development.

Mrs. Kathy was the SDA “Dance Mom” and always will be. She was so loved by her dance family. Thank you Mrs. Kathy for touching so many lives. Sarah’s Dance Academy will truly miss you.

While continuing to work at Sarah’s Dance Academy, Kathy launched Towle Professional Tax Service, serving the Pulaski and Green Bay area. She was always eager to answer questions and help anyone who came to her with tax issues.

Kathy was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed working on bridal gowns, costumes, formalwear, various alterations, home décor, and upholstery. She loved to cook and bake and enjoyed sharing her desserts and main dishes. She enjoyed spending time with her family, and especially her grandchildren.

Kathy and Dennis enjoyed their 32 years together. They chose the 13th as their “lucky” number. They met on the 13th, got engaged on the 13th, married on Friday the 13th, and they always celebrated the 13th of every month. They also enjoyed several memorable vacations: Jamaica, Las Vegas, Maui, Orlando, Minneapolis, Chicago, and Nashua. When Kathy was Youth Director, she led a contingent of teenagers on a road trip from Green Bay to New York City and back, traveling to visit such sites as The Liberty Bell, Philadelphia’s Grand Central Station for a Philly Cheese Steak, New York City to see the Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, Hard Rock Café, and over to Coney Island to Nathan’s for the original Nathan’s Hot Dog, then traveled to Gettysburg staying in a Civil War hospital on the edge of town and visited the battlefields. Kathy and Dennis also made hundreds of trips to Door County to hotel, vacation, sight-see, shop, and photograph - making sure to visit Joe Rouers, the Skyway Drive-In Theatre, Kitty O’Reilly’s, Woods Orchards, Anderson’s Dock, and Wilson’s Ice Cream Parlor. Many of those trips were in the Mobile Mansion (if you know, you know). And, once a year, Dennis would drive her on the famously curved Gills Rock to Northport run (she hated that road). Finally, Kathy and Dennis were avid Packers fans. Together they attended Family Nights, some games, Shareholders Meetings, Gayle & Jack’s house in the garage on game day, or just sat at home and watched the games on TV.

Kathy’s favorite pastimes included sitting on her porch under the gazebo, enjoying a refreshing Margarita, pontoon boating in Crivitz, trips to the casinos, and the many Door County adventures. She also enjoyed her monthly Girls Lunches, all her cats: Mama, Baby, Rena (all deceased), and her last kitty, LoLo. Kathy lived for and believed strongly in her Christian faith.

Kathy is survived by her husband of 32 years, Dennis Towle, Jr.; her children, son Butch, son Robert (Jasmine) Delvaux, daughter Sarah (Josh) DeGroot, stepdaughter Tracy (Shawn) Flippin with daughter Michaela, and stepson Denni Towle III (Tracy Pittman) with children Talon, Ravyn, Stryker, Austin, Tyler, and Marcus; her siblings, brother Terry Kennedy, sister Debra Kennedy, and sister Sandra (Todd) Scheffen; her grandchildren Lennon, Daxton, and Bayne; her mother-in-law Sylvia Towle; her aunt and uncle Beverly and Dennis Raiche; brother-in-law Tom (Jill) Towle with daughter Tamara, Timothy Towle with sons Mason and Christopher, and daughter Kali; and very many cousins, nephews, and nieces including Matthew Compton (Jennifer), Zach (Nicole) Race, Gina (C.J. Tuell) Race, Julie (Tim) Johnson, Diane (John) Orr, Jim Raiche, Angie (Pat) Reetz, and Paula Henshue. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents Ken and Lois Kennedy, brother Mike Kennedy, stepdaughter Joy Strader, nephew Sam Compton, and father-in-law Dennis Towle, Sr.

Kathy is further survived by her absolute best friend and confidante Gayle Peot (Jack). Where there was Kathy, there was Gayle. There were the overnight trips to the casinos, being a frequent driver (or passenger) for Kathy’s many doctors’ appointments, the Thursday night outings to TNT’s for chips and food specials, the church socials with the Bethel Bible Babes, the trips to Las Vegas, the Friday nights out to Kelly Lake for fish and steak, the Aebleskiver Fest in February, all the mall shopping trips, and just traveling around. Gayle was always there. And, towards the end, Gayle was the voice of reason, the gentle giver of care, and the comfort whisperer. There was no better friend.

Kathy was a very kind soul and had so much love to give to all those that had the chance to know her. She will be greatly missed by all those that knew and loved her. We’ll hold you deep in our hearts forever, Kathy Kay! Someone still smiles at a memory you created together, still feels comforted by the kindness you showed, still finds courage in the words you spoke, and stands a little taller because you believed in them. “Love you More”!

Kathy's Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am at Bethel Lutheran Church (1350 Bond Street, Green Bay). With her Funeral Service to follow at 11:30 am at Bethel Lutheran Church with Pastor Kim Swenson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, Kathy's family has created a Memorial Fund in her honor. The family encourages you to bring a card with to the service, or contact them for mailing address.

The family would like to thank Froedtert Hospital & Medical College, Bellin Cancer Center, and Unity Hospice for all their care and concern.