Remembering Taylor Kennedy Folk: A Legacy That Lives On

Fremont- In every community, there are people whose light shines so brightly that even after they’re gone, the glow remains. For the Weyauwega Fremont area, that light will always be Taylor Kennedy Folk.

Taylor wasn’t just another face in the crowd. She was the kind of person you noticed the moment she walked into a room, not because she wanted attention, but because she radiated it naturally. Her smile could disarm the toughest of days, and her laugh and personality had a way of echoing and shining through until everyone around her was smiling too!

I was lucky enough to work alongside Taylor while she was working at Nauti Turtle. Even in the middle of the busiest rush, when most people would be running on fumes, she somehow kept it light and cool. She had a work ethic that outshined everyone, plus carried herself with a lightness that made the craziest day feel fun. At the time, she was legendary. Today, her personality, spirit, compassion, and drive has made her a legend.

Her story is one that will forever be cemented into the area.  On August 30, 2019, at just 17 years old, Taylor passed away unexpectedly due to complications from surgery. She was preparing to start her senior year at Weyauwega-Fremont High School. First and foremost, she loved God, Taylor was a three-sport athlete, a National Honor Society member, a lifeguard at the Wega pool, with the dream of becoming a pediatric surgeon.

I still vividly recall her funeral. Over 700 people filled the Weyauwega-Fremont High School gymnasium. The community rallying around her family, John and Sara, and her siblings Morgan, Bailey, and Sydney. I remember while going through the line, I first came up to her dad, John. Unsure if he remembered me, I stumbled over my words as while trying to think what to say, “I don’t know if you remember me, I’m Taylor Berndt…” before he kindly cut me off. “Of course I do. Taylor would have been so happy to know you were here. Thank you so much for coming!" She would have loved to see everyone.” I remember walking away in that moment, almost confused, he was consoling me, when he was the one who had suffered the greatest loss. It was then that I saw Taylor’s kindness shining through her dad John.

If the goal of life is to touch the lives of others, then Taylor achieved it, and then some. If each of us could impact even a fraction of the people she did, we could say we lived life right.

Since her passing, her spirit lives on through the Taylor Kennedy Folk Scholarship Foundation, which supports graduating Weyauwega-Fremont seniors in continuing their education. The foundation was born from Taylor’s own dream of going into the medical field, and it ensures that even though she never got the chance to pursue her career, others can.Earlier this year, the foundation awarded $2,500 scholarships to Ryleigh Farkas and Parker Wilson. Applications for future scholarships are accepted each year between February 15 and April 15.

6th Annual 5K 4 TK Fun Run/Walk

One of the ways the community continues to celebrate Taylor’s life is through the 5K 4 TK Fun Run/Walk. This year marks the 6th annual event, set for Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Wolf River Park in Fremont.

The run has grown each year, now drawing more than 400 participants. Beyond the race itself, the event includes a silent auction featuring items from Minnesota and Wisconsin sports teams, as well as a huge basket raffle. The A&W Food Truck will once again be on-site, generously donating 100% of sales to the foundation.

All proceeds go directly to the scholarship fund, helping local students carry forward the legacy of a young woman who inspired so many.

For those who didn’t know Taylor personally, her dad John describes her best: “Taylor was always happy! She had a deep love of her family and her friends. More importantly, she was a very faith-filled young woman. Taylor was very athletic, a three-sport athlete, and she was just about to start her senior year in high school when she passed away. We started the foundation to assist seniors in furthering their education because Taylor didn’t get the chance to achieve her goal of becoming a pediatric surgeon.”

For those already registered, check-in and packet pickup begins at 9:00 a.m. The run starts at 11:00 a.m., with walkers to follow.

What can you expect at this year’s 5K 4 TK?

•  Basket raffles with a wide variety of prizes

• Selfie station to capture the day’s memories

• Merchandise sales to show your support

• A&W Food Truck, donating 100% of sales to the foundation

  
  

Day-of registrations are welcome, but T-shirts are not guaranteed for same-day sign-ups.

Even if you aren’t running, you’re encouraged to come out to Wolf River Crossing Park in Fremont to cheer on participants, grab lunch, and support a great cause that continues to honor Taylor’s life and legacy.

Carrying On the Legend: Taylor Kennedy Folk

Taylor was legendary in her time, for her smile, her faith, her dedication to others. Today, that legend continues. It continues in the laughter of her friends when they remember her stories. It continues in the scholarship recipients who walk across the graduation stage carrying a piece of her spirit. It continues every September, when runners, walkers, families, and neighbors come together not just to remember, but to celebrate our favorite local legend, Taylor Kennedy Folk.

For more information about the event or the foundation, visit www.4ever25strong.org or check out the Taylor Kennedy Folk Scholarship Foundation on Facebook.