Karyl Raymond Kennedy, age 76, of Pine Island, passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2026 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems - Methodist Hospital in Rochester.

He was born at Saint Mary's Hospital in Rochester on July 3, 1950 to Robert and Lela (Zimmerman) Kennedy. He graduated from Pine Island High School in 1969. After graduation, he joined the US Air Force, serving proudly until 1977 when he left Duluth Air Force Base honorably discharged. On May 4, 1973, he married Trudi Kennedy. This union was blessed with two sons and a daughter. After Karyl's military service was through, he and Trudi moved back to Pine Island to raise their family. Here, he went to work for Land O'Lakes and started farming. His love for the land and the livestock was evident in all he did. In 1999, they sold the cows and went to work for Byron Elevator, Daley Farm in Mantorville. He became a truck driver for Fitzgerald Excavating of Goodhue and on to driving for Keith Carlson Trucking. When they closed their doors, he went back to Fitzgerald's until illness prevented him from working.

Karyl is survived by his wife of 53 years, Trudi Kennedy; sons, Kevin (Bobbi Jo) Kennedy and Craig Kennedy; daughter Courtney (Steve) McGowan; grandchildren, Kylie (Michael) Brunkhorst, Bridget (Cody) Marquardt, Bailey Kennedy, Alexis (Adam) Schuyler, Walker (Kamryn) Kennedy, Connor, Cooper and Owen McGowan; great-grandsons, Thomas Kennedy and Oden Brunkhorst; special family friend, Audrey Hadler; brothers, Richard Kennedy and Tom Kennedy; sister, Helen (Rick) Toutges; other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, Dale, Keith and John Kennedy and his sister, Kathleen Bruce.

Visitation will be on Friday, October 30, 2026 from 5-7 PM at Mahn Family Funeral Home - Mahler Chapel, 209 1st Ave NW, Pine Island, MN. The family is planning a gathering to celebrate Karyl's life at the Stary-Yerka VFW Post 5727 in Zumbrota on Saturday, October 31 from 11AM-2PM. Interment will be at a later date.

Mahn Family Funeral Home - Mahler Chapel, Pine Island is entrusted with cremation arrangements.