Obituary of Verna McKinley

McKinley, Verna Caroline Schwisow (97) passed away June 19, 2010. She was born January 6, 1913 in Ritzville to Herman and Carrie Moeller Schwisow. She joined two brothers, Milton and Harry. Her sister, Beatta, was born 8 years later. She graduated from Ritzville High School and attended the State College of Washington for one year. During the World War II years, Verna worked as a Junior Aircraft Gyro Instrument Repairer for the Army Air Forces at Geiger Field in Spokane. She had the honor of being the highest paid female mechanic in her department; at one time she earned $.94 an hour. Verna married Paul McKinley on September 17, 1944 in Emanuel Lutheran Church in Ritzville. While they lived on Vashon Island, Verna worked for the local telephone company as an operator. In 1950, they moved to Grandview, Washington. There Verna worked for 9 years for the phone company; first as an operator and then as an office manager. During that time she found that with a few pins, needle and thread, she could make a garment fit and look better. She left her phone job and became an accomplished seamstress. In June of 1972, her husband Paul died and Verna moved back to Ritzville; where she took care of her parents for 7 ½ years. After their deaths, Verna continued on as a seamstress for many years. She and her sister Beata took many trips throughout the U.S. and Europe. Verna was an accomplished musician and helped with church music as an organist and pianist wherever she lived. Verna was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, 2 brothers and a sister. She is survived by one nephew, Del (Carol) Schwisow of Ritzville, and two nieces: Barbara Schwisow of Ritzville and Karen Miles of O'Fallon, IL. Visitation will be Thursday June 24, 2010 from 12 Noon to 5 PM at Danekas Funeral Home-Ritzville. Funeral Services will be Friday June 25, 2010 at 2 PM at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Ritzville with Internment at Emanuel Lutheran Cemetery. A dessert social will be provided by the family at the church following the Internment. Memorial contributions are suggested to: Emanuel Lutheran Church Memorial Fund for Scholarships at 206 S Division, Ritzville or RHS Alumni Scholarship Fund P O Box 312, Ritzville. Condolences may be left at www.danekasfuneralhome.org