Mary McKinney

Mary E. McKinney, 97, of the Zion area, formerly of Creston, Iowa, died Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at Good Samaritan Nursing Facility in Fontanelle, Iowa.

Mary was born May 3, 1924, in Creston, the daughter of Augustus and Mary Alice (Spurr) Chaney. Mary grew up in a lively household with four brothers and five sisters. Even though her siblings relocated across the United States, Mary remained in close contact over the years. Mary attended Creston Community High School.

On April 21,1940, she was united in marriage to Gale W. McKinney at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Mary and her husband Gale were farmers in the Zion, Iowa, area their entire lives. Mary loved to dance and many people would comment on what great dancers Mary and Gale were.

Mary was an active member of the Hill of Zion Church and enjoyed teaching Sunday School. She was a devoted mother who nourished her family with quiet strength and guidance.

Mary is survived by her children: Larry McKinney of Kent, Iowa, Gary McKinney and Marcia Moore of McKinney, Texas; Dan (Sharon) McKinney of Orient, Iowa and Gale W. II (Audra) McKinney of Fort Dodge, Iowa; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 79 years, Gale McKinney; her parents; son, Patrick Edward McKinney; granddaughter, Julie McKinney; and great-grandson, Ivan McKinney.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the Hill of Zion Cemetery, Orient, Iowa. The family will greet friends on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon at Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield. Memorials in Mary’s name are directed to the family’s discretion. Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.