ALTAMONT — Sarah “Jolene” Stringer, 85, of Altamont passed away the evening of Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society in Parsons.
Sarah Jolene Kennedy was born the 11th of 16 children to Lawrence Edmond and Elizabeth Ellen (Fager) Kennedy on July 2, 1939, in rural St. Paul. She was raised on a farm outside of St. Paul with her many siblings. As a young girl, she loved to follow the dry creek beds and catch rabbits that they would sell to earn some Christmas money. One of her best memories was when the whole family would gather around the radio to listen to the St. Louis Cardinals baseball, of whom she remained a fan her whole life. For elementary school, she attended the Odell Country School, walking there a mile across the fields. From eighth to 12th grade, Jolene rode the bus into town to St. Paul High School, graduating in 1957. If anyone asked her as a child what she wanted to be when she grew up, Jolene would reply, “a mom and a grandma.”
A lifelong Catholic, Jolene was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul. While living in Parsons for several years, she was a member of St. Mary’s and St. Patrick Catholic churches. For many years, she has been a member of Mother of God Catholic Church in Oswego.
In the spring of 1956, Jolene met the love of her life, Lloyd Stringer. The couple were united in marriage on Feb. 15, 1958, in St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul. After marriage, the couple lived in Parsons, before moving to Altamont in 1970, where they have lived for the last 55 years. On Saturday, the couple would have been happily married for 67 years.
For over 25 years, Jolene worked as a cook at the Labette County High School cafeteria, a job she said was her favorite job ever. Previously, Jolene had worked at the Golden Drumstick, Swift and Fred Ronald Manufacturing.
Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family. She also enjoyed bowling, growing flowers and gardening, cooking for her family and listening to Elvis Presley music.
Survivors include her husband, Lloyd Stringer, of the home; a son, Jeff Stringer (Vicki Souter) of Parsons; three daughters, Vicki Stice (Joe) of Altamont, Vonda Carter (Gary) of Parsons and Joni Stringer (Greg Fincher) of Altamont; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild on the way; four brothers, Edward Kennedy of Wichita, Kenny Kennedy of Los Angeles, California, Jack Kennedy of Bella Vista, Arkansas, and Frank Kennedy of Bella Vista, Arkansas; and four sisters, Dorothy Cartwright of Humboldt, Mary Kay Schooler of Seneca, Missouri, Carolyn Robinson of Tucson, Arizona, and Sharon Woolf of Cape Coral, Florida.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, Byron Carter; four brothers, Bill Kennedy, Larry Kennedy, Richard Kennedy and infant Paul Joseph Kennedy; and three sisters, Helen Ann Rush, Ada Marie Heenan and Cora Lou Kennedy.
The service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. The family will receive friends at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. The rosary will be prayed at 10:40 a.m. Burial will take place at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Parsons.
The family suggests memorials to The USD 506 Foundation. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS, 67357.
Leave online condolences at www.forbeshoffman.com.
