The path to fulfilling one’s calling can take unexpected turns. For Kenzie Dowding, that journey led her from the hustle and bustle of city life in Springfield, Illinois, to the small, yet charming, town of Jesup, Iowa, where she continued her deeply meaningful career as a funeral director.
From an early age, Kenzie knew her purpose was to serve her community. Her father’s career in the U.S. Army and her mother’s dedication to teaching instilled in her strong sense of duty. For Kenzie, helping others wasn’t merely a job. It was a calling.
Kenzie’s path to Locke Funeral Service began with her desire to continue to align with her values and principles. She was no stranger to the funeral industry, having spent eight years at a family-owned firm. What attracted her to Locke’s was the high standards and a shared ethos of serving families in their time of need.
Kenzie’s care and compassion extends far beyond the office. Being a funeral director has taught her a lot about organ donation, a cause she believes deeply in. She researched ways to help people not only in death, but in living as well. In 2019, she donated one of her kidneys in a selfless act that was deeply rewarding for her.
Joining the team at Locke’s has meant a lot to Kenzie. The motto “Generations of Compassion” resonates with her, and she enjoys working with members of the Locke family. Her dedication to her work is fueled by her appreciation for Locke’s progressive approach to funeral services.
“Helping people say goodbye comes in so many different aspects and ways,” she said. “Eric and his family have created a beautiful funeral home, but it’s more than that. It’s a safe space to honor a loved one and meet the needs of grieving loved ones as well.”
When she’s not with the Locke family or serving families in the community, she’s with her own family: her husband, Dylan, and their 3-year-old daughter, Luka.
