Donald J. MCKENNA

MC KENNA, MCKENNA, HINKLE, JONES, MAUCH, JAMIESON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/16/2013 at 13:13:49

September 23, 1921 -- February 2, 2013

Donald J. "Don" Mc Kenna (Age 91) Passed away February 2, 2013 in Spokane. Don was born on a farm near Hardy, Iowa in 1921 to Ed and Ida McKenna. He attended a one-room schoolhouse and graduated from high school at Vernon Consolidated School near Renwick, Iowa. While growing up he helped his dad and his siblings doing the farm work. He also helped his mother in the kitchen, carrying water up to the house from the well and helping with the chickens, feeding them and gathering eggs. After he was old enough he helped with the field work. He joined the Navy after the start of World War II and served as a ship's cook on two different ships in the South Pacific. He had many friends in the Navy and he often said it was a good experience after the sheltered life he had lived on the farm. After the war ended his ship was docked at Bremerton, Washington. While in the Seattle area he met Eleanore Hinkle. He was discharged from the Navy in 1946 and he and Eleanore were married in June of that year. Don was employed at the National Biscuit Company and he worked there for two years. Don and Eleanore moved to Spokane in 1948 and he worked for a short time as a cook at the Zep Inn restaurant. He later went to work at Early Dawn Dairy, where he was employed for 30 years. After he retired from the dairy he worked for several years for the Mead School District. Don was a wonderful husband and father, always involved in the children's activities. He enjoyed working in his yard, doing some cooking and especially spending time with his family. He also liked to go fishing. It didn't make much difference to him whether he caught fish or not. The outing and the time he spent with his friends was what he enjoyed most. He had a great sense of humor and he was well liked by all who knew him. In 2011 Don went on INW Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., visiting the WWII Memorial and other memorials and monuments. This was a very memorable experience. His parents, four brothers and one sister preceded him in death. He is survived by Eleanore, his wife of 66 years; his sons, Steve (Nadine), Spokane and Tom (Laura), Olympia; daughters, Maureen Jones (Phil), Jackson, Tennessee and Sharon Mauch (Jeff), Snohomish; 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; his sister, Jeanne Jamieson, Clear Lake, Iowa and many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Dr. Leroy Byrd for the excellent care he gave Don over many years. We also want to thank Hospice House for the kind and compassionate care they gave him in his final days. A Vigil Service will be held Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 7 PM at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. A Funeral Mass will take place Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 11 AM at St. Thomas More. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Inland Northwest Honor Flight, the Alzheimer's Association , or Hospice of Spokane in Don's name. Arrangements entrusted to Hennessey Smith Funeral Home, Spokane, Washington.

Spokesman-Review - Spokane, Washington
February 5, 2013