(Arnolds Park)– The Iowa Great Lakes has lost a true friend.
Stephen Kennedy, lifetime resident of the Iowa Great lakes, historian and honorary captain of the Queen Two, lost his two-year battle with cancer Saturday (2/23). He passed away at the age of 56 at his home on the shore of his beloved lakes with family and friends at his side.
Kennedy founded the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum in 1991 and served as its curator. His love for the lakes and efforts to preserve the area’s history were contagious for those fortunate enough to spend time with him. Steve especially enjoyed working with school children, giving tours of the museum and instilling in them the importance of history. His compilation of photos, tapes and artifacts enhanced his storytelling to the thousands of people he was in contact with each year.
Affectionately known by many lakes area residents and visitors as “Captain Steve”, he helped spearhead efforts to bring the Queen Two to West Lake Okoboji in 1986. He also played an integral role in the “Save the Park” effort in 1999.
Visitation will be held with the family present at the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum in Arnolds Park on Tuesday (2/26) from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Spirit Lake United Methodist Church Wednesday (2/27) at 1:30 p.m. The family requests memorials be made to the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum or Dickinson County Hospice.
