Bethannie Kennedy, Michael and Niklaus Dohrn

Bethannie Rene Kennedy, daughter of Robert Sim Kennedy Sr. and Melissa Beth Sergeant Kennedy, was born June 4, 1996, in Leon, and passed from this life with her children, Michael James Dohrn and Niklaus Eugene Dohrn, Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, from injuries they sustained in an auto accident.

Bethannie received her education in Osceola, graduating from Clarke Community High School in 2014. She continued her education attending Southwestern Community College in Creston with dreams of being a makeup artist.

She was engaged to Michael Eugene Dohrn of Leon, and they were to be united in marriage in 2020.

Bethannie was baptized at First Christian Church as a youth, and throughout her life she loved to dance, paint, draw and read. Above all, Bethannie was a person who cared for others. At the age of 4, she decided to grow her hair for a donation to Locks of Love, and at 8 years old, she donated her hair to someone in need. During high school, Bethannie continued her dancing and performing as a member of the drill team. In recent years, Bethannie loved to get her family together and enjoyed the time they were able to spend. However, some of her greatest joys came from being Mommy to Michael James, and she looked so forward to meeting her new son, Niklaus Eugene.

Michael James was a happy little boy with an incredible zest for life, and dearly loved his mommy and daddy. He and his Uncle Jr. had a special bond, and Michael loved to play ball, play with his combine and semi and he loved all sorts of animals. Michael’s favorite things to say to his family was that he “loved you more” and blow them kisses.

Those relatives who preceded Bethannie in death were her son Michael James Dohrn; son Niklaus Eugene Dohrn; grandfathers, William Jay Sergeant Jr. and John Kennedy; grandmother Ozella (Ruth) Kennedy; adopted grandpa Rick Bowers; best friend Josh Klages; aunts, Tammy Annette Sergeant and Kathy Kennedy.

Michael James and Niklaus Eugene leaves to cherish their memory their father Michael Eugene Dohrn; half brothers, Lorenzo Austin III of Leon and Kurious Austin of Leon; grandmothers, Melissa (Jonathon Oller) Kennedy of Murray and Patty Parkhurst of Leon; grandfather Robert Kennedy Sr. of Pleasantville; great-grandparents, Doris (Dan) Olson of Leon; great-grandmother Marilyn Sergeant of Osceola; great-great-grandmother Marjorie Reynolds of Osceola; uncles, Cody (Natasha) Dohrn of Leon, Dalton (Brenna) Dohrn of Leon, Luke Parkhurst and Jr. Kennedy; aunt Kassidee (partner Zach Wright) Kennedy; great-aunt Deb Olson; great-uncle Jeff Olson; as well as other relatives and many friends.

Bethannie leaves to cherish her memory her mother Melissa Beth (partner Jonathan Oller) Kennedy of Murray; father Robert Kennedy Sr. of Pleasant Hill; fiancé Michael Eugene Dohrn; sisters, Kassidee (partner Zach Wright) Kennedy of Osceola, Jessica (Michael) Hudler of Pleasantville, Madison (David Roberts) Kennedy of Des Moines and Nena (Justin) Hugs of Topeka, Kansas; brother Jr. Kennedy of Pleasantville; grandmother Marilyn Sergeant of Osceola; great-grandmother Marjorie Reynolds of Osceola; nephew Connor Hudler; aunts, Melanie Sergeant of Osceola, Crystal (Lana Roth) Kennedy of Des Moines and Adella (Steve) McKenna of Georgia; uncles, William “Billy” Sergeant, Dennis Kennedy of Des Moines, John Kennedy of Des Moines, James Reynolds of Osceola, Merrill Reynolds of Osceola and Mike (Sherri) Reynolds of Woodburn; as well as other relatives and many friends.

Services were 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at Kale Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., in Osceola with the Rev. James "Pete" R. Sheesley officiating. The family greeted friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.kalefuneralhome.com.