Rosamond 'Ros' Mckenna

Savoy - Rosamond Ros' McKenna, age 88, of Savoy, IL, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2015 surrounded by her husband of 65 years and her children. Ros was born on November 28, 1927 in Schaller, IA to Rose and Joe Scriber. Ros, also known as Kay, grew up in rural Iowa, graduating from Galva High School. She completed her nursing degree at Mercy College of Nursing in 1948. After first meeting Donald Joseph McKenna when she was in 8th grade, and he was a freshman at Sacred Heart High School, they met again in 1948 at the Cobblestone Inn in Storm Lake, IA. Now 19, Kay was relocating to California where she was to practice nursing. Don had completed a Army tour of duty in Korea and had returned home. The two continued to correspond, and after Kay returned to Iowa, they were engaged at Christmas, 1949. They were married on June 24,1950 in Schaller, IA. They returned home from their honeymoon to find Don's acceptance letter into the School of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. Kay continued nursing in Ames, IA for several years as Don attended school and they started their family. Don and Kay were blessed with six children, though lost a daughter, Martha, in infancy: Marilyn (Basil) McKenna of Chicago, IL, Marie McKenna of Chicago, IL, Monica McKenna of Middlebury, VT, Mary Jo (Kevin) Schweickhardt of Silver Spring, MD and Mark McKenna of Flagstaff, AZ. Ros also had two grandchildren, Samantha (21) and Carson (19) Schweickhardt. After graduation from vet school, Don and Kay settled in Mallard, IA where Kay helped Don with the veterinary practice. They relocated to Cascade, IA in 1966, when Don joined a partnership practice. Kay was a 4-H leader, active in the school system and in their church. In 1975, Kay returned to school, starting at Clarke College and completing her degree in Psychology with a teaching certificate at Loras College in 1978. She taught Montessori preschool for many years. In 1986, Don and Ros relocated to the Champaign-Urbana area, settling in Savoy, IL where Don taught at the University of Illinois veterinary school before retiring in 1992. A lifelong learner, Ros continued to take classes at Parkland Community College and through the OLLIE network at the University of Illinois, was an avid fan of public television and NPR. She filled their home with books and passed on her creativity, and her love of reading and learning to her children. Believing it was a parents' job to give children both roots and wings, she gave us her deep love and support and encouraged us to be brave, independent thinkers. She believed in chores, homework, and giving back to the community. She was always in motion but would stop whatever she was doing to listen to us when we needed her. Watching her navigate the joys and challenges of life, we witnessed her resilience and capacity to care for those around her. Ros' desire to help others in need was prodigious, and she was selected as the United Way Volunteer of the Year for her work with A Woman's Place, a shelter for women and children in transition. She was a regular at Habitat for Humanity, the Stevick Senior Center, the Parkinson's Support Group, book clubs, and many other community oriented clubs. She enjoyed assisting her many friends in countless ways including frequenting yard sales to find the perfect thing to help someone in need. She was also active in women's issues her entire life and held membership in NOW and other advocacy groups. Ros also loved nature and art, working with Don to create showplace flower gardens, and filling their home with art. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers Ray (Leota) Schriber, Romaine (Dorothy) Schriber, and Bob (Joyce) Schriber. A Celebration of her Life will be held on Saturday, January 2nd at 2:00PM at the Savoy Recreation Center, 402 Graham, Dr., Savoy, IL 61874. All are welcome to attend. A Celebration of the Life of Rosamond "Ros" McKenna will be held Saturday May 28 at 6:00 pm at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home at 1615 W Milwaukee Ave, Storm Lake, IA 50588. All are welcome to attend. Please visit our memorial page at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions be directed to Habitat for Humanity, Champaign County Parkinson's Support Group, or Courage Connection (previously known as A Women's Place.)