McKenna, Bethany Elaine (Mitchell 1945 - 2023

MCKENNA, MITCHELL, HARMEN, WHALEN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 6/2/2023 at 12:59:11

Bethany Elaine (Mitchell) McKenna, age 77, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2023 at her home in rural Ridgeway, Iowa.

Bethany was born in Mechanicsville, Iowa to Guy E and Maycel (Harmen) Mitchell on December 4, 1945. On July 10, 1965 she was married to Gerald Francis McKenna at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Bluffton, Iowa. Together they welcomed four children: Connie, Robert, Kimberly and Brad.

In 1973, Bethany moved with her children back to the Bluffton area following her husbands’ death, where she instilled her passion of horses into her children. While helping her children show horses, she also helped her mother run Maycel’s Country Studio in Decorah, Iowa. Through the next several years she refined her ceramic and china painting skills, which resulted in several award winning pieces at the World Museum. Her work at Maycel’s Country Studio also took her to the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant. This is where her interest was sparked in “hit-n-miss” engines. She loved to polish and listen to these engines run. After Bethany’s children grew up and moved out to start their own lives, she went to work for Casey’s as the “donut lady” for 27 plus years.

Her love for dogs, lead her to open a Yorkie kennel that she ran for many years. Bethany also enjoyed her flower and water gardens, listening and watching the birds and other wild life. Above all she loved spending time with her longtime friend, Caryl Stoen, her children and grandchildren.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Connie (Keri) Whalen, Robert (Emily) McKenna, Kimberly (Kaream) McKenna and Brad McKenna, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, two brothers Roger (Neddie) Mitchell and Keith (Pat) Mitchell and many nieces, nephews and in-laws.

Bethany was preceded in death by her husband Gerald Francis McKenna, parents Guy E. and Maycel Mitchell, a brother Guy Mason Mitchell and several in-laws and close family members.

A private family graveside service will be held at St. Bridget’s Cemetery in rural Bluffton.

Memorials may be directed to the family at 3580 236th Ave Decorah, IA 52101.

St. Bridget Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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