Christine Theresa (Latta) MCKENNA

MCKENNA, LATTA, REIS, FULLENKAMP

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 3/13/2011 at 11:49:25

May 21, 1948 --- May 15, 2009

Christine Theresa McKenna, 60, of Blakesburg, passed away Friday, May 15, 2009, at Hospice House in Ottumwa, following a lengthy battle with cancer. Funeral Mass will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, at Sacred Heart Church in Early, with Father Tim Schott and Father Jim Smith co-celebrating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Early. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass.

Christine was born May 21, 1948, in Des Moines, to Claire "Russ" and Charlotte Reis Latta. She grew up in northwest Iowa, in the communities of Early and Corwith, and then moved to Ames when she was in junior high. She attended Iowa State University with a major in history and was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. It was at Iowa State that she met Michael McKenna, and they married April 18, 1970. They bought a farm and settled in Blakesburg, where Chris taught math and science for the Eddyville-Blakesburg School District for 21 years.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and educator. She was devoted to her boys. She never missed a sporting event and could often be heard cheering above all other spectators. She was an avid reader and gardener, often sharing her books, roses, fruits and vegetables with her many friends and neighbors. She loved to take vacations and long weekend trips with her family.

She and Michael were blessed with four boys and their families. Their boys include Matt and wife, Sherri McKenna, and their children, Aiden, Gavin and Colin, of Kansas City, Mo.; Ryan and wife, Sarah McKenna, and their children, Avery and Owen, of Kansas City, Mo.; Mark and wife, Dana McKenna, of Ankeny; and Patrick McKenna, of Des Moines. She is also survived by her parents, of Ames; one brother, Michael and wife, JoAnn Latta, of Fort Dodge; one sister, Jackie and husband, Wayne Fullenkamp, of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; and nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of good friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Chris McKenna Memorial Scholarship Fund. Reece Funeral Home in Ottumwa in charge of arrangements.

Ames Tribune-- Ames, IA
May 19, 2009