Barbara Kay (Hagle) Kenn, age 84, of Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, passed away at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital Hospice Care in Petoskey, Michigan, on December 29, 2023. She was born in Pontiac, Michigan, on February 10, 1939, to Alton and Fidelia (Peet) Hagle.
Barbara grew up in Waterford, Michigan. She graduated from Waterford Township High School in 1957 and attended Central Michigan University–graduating with her bachelor’s degree in 1961. She was a charter member of the Alpha Upsilon chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta women’s fraternity. While at CMU, Barbara met John Kenn and they became engaged and were later married on June 27, 1964, in Drayton Plains, Michigan. Barbara eventually enrolled at Western Michigan University and completed a master’s in library science degree.
Barbara worked at Saginaw Township Schools, Battle Creek Central High School, Standish-Sterling Schools, and then Sault Area Public Schools once she and John moved to Sault Ste Marie in 1967. While in the Sault, she was a 6th grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary and then eventually the Librarian at the Sault Area Junior High School, retiring from that position in 1994.
Barbara was a lifetime member of the First United Presbyterian Church (FUPC) in Sault Ste Marie. She dedicated countless hours to the Sunday School program, Vacation Bible School, the annual church bazaar, and many other activities that were held at the church. She sang in the choir and really enjoyed her fellow choir mates and was so thankful for Dee Musgrave and Anita Weinrick for being willing to pick her up from McKinley Manor after she was no longer able to drive. Also connected to the FUPC, Barbara’s children and grandchildren have all attended Presbytery Point Camp in Michigamme, Michigan, and she was an avid supporter of the camp. She spent several years as a member and officer of the Keeping the Piece Quilt Guild, and she found contentment in her time with the other members and hosting the biannual Quilt Show in the Sault. In addition, Barbara was a leader for her girls’ troops in Blue Birds and Camp Fire Girls at Garfield Elementary School and was a Den Mother for her son’s Boy Scout troop at Lincoln Elementary School.
Barbara is survived by her four children and their families; daughters, Deborah Tripp of Leesburg, Virginia, Susan (Bill) Schomberg of Dafter, Michigan, Peggy (Brian) Osborne of Brimley, Michigan; and son Peter (Seija) Kenn of Negaunee, Michigan; grandchildren Samuel (Morgan) Tripp and Julieanne (Evan) Tripp of Virginia, Sam (Luke Smith) Strahl of Saginaw, Michigan, Andrew (Marisa) Osborne of Great Lakes, Illinois, Miranda Schomberg of Wisconsin, Mark Osborne of Brimley, Aili Kenn and Alex Kenn of Negaunee; great-grandchildren, Sloane Smith, of Saginaw and Steven Osborne of Great Lakes. Another great-grandchild is expected in April 2024. She is also survived by three nephews and three nieces and their families.
Barbara was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, John M. Kenn, in August of 2023; parents, Alton & Fidelia; sister, Sybil (Bill) Landry; fathers-in-law Donald Kenn and Lowry Learman; mother-in-law, Elizabeth Kenn Learman; and son-in-law, William Tripp.
Special thanks to all the visitors and health professionals that took care of Barbara. Her family is especially thankful for the staff at McKinley Manor of Sault Ste Marie. Barbara talked constantly about her caretakers at the facility.
A Memorial Service for Barbara is being planned for Spring 2024 (date to be determined) at the First United Presbyterian Church with burial at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens. Dates will be published once established.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Barbara’s memory to Presbytery Point Camp, ℅ 819 1st Ave S., Escanaba MI 49829 or they can be dropped of at the First United Presbyterian Church in the Sault. All of Barbara’s children and grandchildren have attended Presbytery Point and the camp means a great deal to the Kenn family. We are hopeful that the camp will endure so Barbara’s great-grandchildren can also enjoy the summertime rituals that have been a part of the Kenn family summers since 1980.
Family Life Funeral Homes is serving the family. Condolences may be left to the family at www.csmulder.com.
