Donald ‘Don’ F. Kennebeck
Donald F. “Don” Kennebeck, formerly of Kellogg, MN passed away December 16, 2024 from Cardio-Pulmonary Arrest at National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs, AR.
He was born February 18, 1931, the only child of Martin and Mary (Reister) Kennebeck. Don lived at Conception and Kellogg, MN until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Feb. 1951 during the Korean War. Don Married Genevieve Kane of Wabasha, MN at NAS Jacksonville, FL in August 1951 and they had 5 children.
He was commissioned to Ensign (LDO-Aviation Ordnance) in 1961 and was honorably discharged in February 1972 from NAS Millington, TN at the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
After his discharge the family moved to rural Ouachita County Arkansas where Don earned an A&P Mechanic License and Associate Degree at SAU Tech, East Camden, AR. During the ensuing years he held various industrial and aircraft maintenance positions, including a short trip during 1978-1979 in Iran to work for Bell Helicopter International. Don retired from a teaching position at SAU Tech in 1987. He enjoyed casino gambling and all kinds of fishing.
In 1994 his wife Genevieve unexpectedly passed away. He later married Veda Williams Bettis at Incline Village, NV. They moved from Ouachita County to Garland county AR where they settled until Veda’s untimely death in 2013., Don then moved to New Mexico to reside near his son Steven. After 3 years they both returned to Arkansas.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, wives Genevieve and Veda and a son Joseph. He is survived by a daughter Susan Kennebeck Ames of Conway, AR: sons, Peter (Nancy) Florence SC, David (Kelly), Owasso, OK and Steven, Taos, New Mexico; stepdaughters Vickie Files (Danny) Magnet Cove, AR and Tina Dodwell hot Springs, AR; 9 grandchildren; 2 step grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren and 5 step great grandchildren.
His cremains will be interned with Genevieve at the National Cemetery, Little Rock, Arkansas. If desired any donations or memorials may be made to the Nature Conservancy in Arkansas or Minnesota.
