In Loving Memory
Earlene Frances McKenna
10/29/1950 - 2/20/2010






 Earlene Frances McKenna, age 59, died peacefully at her home after a courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, February 20, 2010, surrounded by her loving family.


 


Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 25, 2010 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Vinton, with Rev. Ardel Barta as celebrant.  Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Vinton.  A Rosary service will begin at 2:30 p.m. followed by a visitation from 3 to 8 p.m. and a Scripture Service at 8 p.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2010 AT ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH IN VINTON.


 


Earlene was born October 29, 1950 in Waterloo, IA, the daughter of Earl and Agnes Meier  Youngblut.  Earlene attended St. Mary’s of Mt. Carmel school in Eagle Center, Don Bosco High School, Gilbertville, and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in elementary education. 


 


On November 20, 1971, she married William R. McKenna at St. Mary’s of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Eagle Center.  The couple began farming near Hudson and moved to a farm west of Vinton on Jan. 1, 1974.  They farmed and sold seed west of Vinton until her husband’s death. Earlene was a substitute teacher in the Vinton School district at various times throughout the years. She most recently worked as a customer service representative at Wilson-Hite Insurance from 2003 until the present. 


 


Earlene was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vinton where she was active in the Altar and Rosary Society.  She was a past 4-H leader of the Jackson 4 Leaf Clovers and was a Blood Drive Coordinator for the American Red Cross.  She enjoyed spending time with family, friends and neighbors. Her greatest joy came in playing with her grandchildren.


 


She is survived by her parents, her six children, Charlie (Kim) McKenna and their children, Max, Madeline and Meredith, Clear Lake; Tracy (Jay) Severtsgaard and children, Tyler and Grant, La Porte City; Dan (Brie) McKenna and children, Noel and Wesley, Vinton; Dawn (Karl) Janssen and children Carly and Samuel, Van Horne; John (Nichole) McKenna and children Clayton and William, Vinton; Katie (Brian) Hopper, Iowa City; her nine siblings, Teresa (Jim) Schmitz, Gilbertville; Rita (Craig) Rogers, Eveleth, MN; Leonard (Linda) Youngblut, Buckingham; Mary Wilson, Winter Park, FL; Nancy Newton, La Porte City; Harold (Amy) Youngblut, Waterloo; Marlys (Ted) Baebenroth, Minneapolis, MN; Lisa (Mark) Althof, Dysart; Anita Youngblut (Rick Scholz), Denver, CO and many nieces and nephews.


 


Earlene was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, on November 7, 2001 and two brothers, Peter and Eric Youngblut, brother-in-laws, Joel Newton and Ron Schmitz and father-in-law, Robert McKenna.


 


A memorial fund has been established.


 



 


 


 


 


Online Condolences
From: Shawna Kurth   Shellsburg
Relationship:  friend

My deepest sympathy goes out to your family. The world is a little dimmer tonight without her here. I'll continue to keep your family ini my prayers.
Sent:  2/21/2010
From: Joe and Tammy Baldridge   Vinton
Relationship:  Friend and Neighbor

Your mom was a great inspiration to everyone. Our family truly admired her and she will be forever in our hearts.
Sent:  2/22/2010
From: Cathi Courrier-Gieser   Mankato
Relationship:  Friend of Kim and Charlie

My thoughts and prayers are with the entire McKenna. May God's love guide you and comfort you through this very difficult time.
Sent:  2/22/2010
From: Larry Cink   Clear Lake
Relationship:  Friend

Charlie and Kim and the rest of the McKennas, You have our deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother. Know that we are thinking and praying for strength for you at this time.
Sent:  2/22/2010
From: Shelly Robb   LaPorte City
Relationship:  Cousin to John and Nicole

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you all. If there is anything I can do to. Please give me a call.
Sent:  2/22/2010
From: kim meyer   state center
Relationship:  a grateful survivor

I met Earlene through a mutual friend when I was diagnosed with BC in 2007. Over the next year, Earlene provided me with support, information, friendship and HOPE. It breaks my heart that she has lost her battle with cancer. Please know that she made a difference in my life and I will always be grateful to her for that. I have made a donation to Komen for the Cure in Earlene's name. May you forever feel her PRESENCE. Kim Meyer
Sent:  2/22/2010
From: David and Judy Roberts   Green Valley
Relationship:  Friends

We were so sorry to hear of Earlene's passing. We've known her many years, since being in seed sales together. Things that we most remember about her is the smile she always wore, and how proud she was of her family.You all have our most heartfelt sympathy.
Sent:  2/22/2010
From: Morgan Stark-Watts   Montezuma,Iowa
Relationship:  known the family all my life

My thought and prayers go out to the entire McKenna family. I am sorry for the great loss.
Sent:  2/22/2010
From: Ryan Dillon   Ames
Relationship:  Friend

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest sympathy and thoughts are with you all.
Sent:  2/22/2010
From: Brent Mckenna   Montezuma
Relationship:  family

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you guys.
Sent:  2/23/2010
From: Vernon and Marilyn Hagan   Hiawatha
Relationship:  Friend

We have so many good memories of times spent together with your Dad and Mom. The years passed and we didn't see as much of your Mom but she will definitely be in our prayers.
Sent:  2/23/2010
From: Lonnie & Deb Phillips   Muscatine
Relationship:  Cousin to Bill

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May the great memories of your mother bring you comfort.
Sent:  2/23/2010
From: RON SCALLY   ALLISON
Relationship:  FRIEND OF FAMILY

MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO ALL OF YOU.....GOD BLESS.... RON SCALLY
Sent:  2/23/2010
From: Stephanie Schallau   Keystone
Relationship:  Friend

Had the pleasure of working with Earlene through Benton Mutual Insurance Association and grew to like and admire her. She was always friendly and kind. She will be missed. So sorry for your loss.
Sent:  2/23/2010
From: Lindy Schreurs Murphy   sigourney
Relationship:  college friend

I am so sorry to hear about Earlene's passing. We had lost contract through the years, and I was saddened to see her in the paper this morning. She and Ellen lived across the hall from me in Dancer Hall. She always was smiling and positive and fun. I remember going out to the farm and to Bill's folks to snowmobile. And I ended up with a huge bruise from falling off the machine. But it was so much fun,something we had not done before. I am so sorry to hear about Bill's passing too. I always think of them when I go up 21 past her folks farm, in years past. Remember she is still with you. As long as you hold her in your heart, she is not gone. Lindy Murphy
Sent:  2/23/2010
From: Jane Wirth   Mesquite
Relationship:  Family/Friend

My heart and prayers are with you all. All of you were such a joy to Grams Rammelsberg. Earlene and Bill have done a wonderful job raising each of you with family and Christ in your lives, may these memories console you during this time. Love, Jane
Sent:  2/24/2010
From: American Red Cross   Waterloo
Relationship:  Friends of Earlene

Earlene's friends here at The American Red Cross send our most dearest sympathy to you and your family she was a wonderful person and did great job with coordinating the Vinton Blood Drives. She will be deeply missed by all here at Red Cross.
Sent:  2/24/2010
From: Renee Staudt Boss   Charles City
Relationship:  Friend of Charlie & Kim's

Charlie, Kim and the entire family...please know you have our deepest sympathy. I'm sure all the angels and saints welcomed your mother home to heaven with joy! You are all in our thoughts and prayers. We are thinking of you, Brody & Renee Boss
Sent:  2/24/2010
From: Keith and Pam Marquart   Houston
Relationship:  friend of family

We send our heartfelt prayers for all of your family. May our Father God wrap His arms of comfort and love around you, and give you His sufficiency of grace.
Sent:  2/24/2010
From: Denny & Vickie Shollenbarger   Charles City,
Relationship:  friends

Asking God to bless your family with courage to bear this sorrow you feel now. You have our deepest sympathy.
Sent:  2/24/2010
From: Beth (Schmitz) Wiebbecke   Gilbertville
Relationship:  Donna's sister

To all of Earlene’s family: I offer my sympathy and prayers to you all. May you never forget the good times; carry them close to your heart and think of them often.
Sent:  2/25/2010
From: Dave Hoy   Grundy Center
Relationship:  Friend

So sorry for your loss. We kno how hard it is to lose someone to cancer. Especially after a hard fought battle. We will be praying for you. God Bless
Sent:  2/25/2010
From: Karrie Bartling   Vinton
Relationship:  Friend

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family. May you find peace in your memories and strength in your faith. God bless you all. Verlyn and Karrie Bartling
Sent:  2/25/2010
From: Rachelle (Haefner) Fitzgibbon   Davenport
Relationship:  Friend

To the entire McKenna family my thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. Cherish all those memories you have of Earlene they will get you through until you meet again. God Bless.
Sent:  2/25/2010
From: Marni Bryan   Lanai city
Relationship:  Friend of Tracy

My deepest sympathies to the whole family. We will keep you in our prayers. She was a wonderul lady and will be missed.
Sent:  2/25/2010
From: Kelly Kersten King   Dysart
Relationship:  family neighbor

I pray for six angels to watch over all of you kids and you're families. You're mom was not only a neighbor, but had been my babysitter, substitute teacher and most of all a dear daughter to my Grandparents. You kids come from great stock and will soar with your parents watching.
Sent:  2/26/2010

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