Irene M. McKinney

March 30, 1918 ~ January 27, 2012

Irene Mary Fries was born March 30, 1918, on the family farm northwest of Mott, ND to Jacob and Katherine (Meins) Fries. She attended school in Mott and then moved out west to Washington State, where she worked in a Veteran's hospital, treating wounded soldiers. While in Walla Walla, she met Edwin L. McKinney and they were united in marriage on September 29, 1951, in Walla Walla. They lived in Wenatchee, WA, where together they raised their family. Her husband passed away on July 5, 1980, while visiting relatives in North Dakota. In the late 1990's, Irene returned to Mott, where she continued to live in her home. In December of 2011, she entered the Mott Good Samaritan Society. She passed from this life there on Friday, January 27, 2012, at the age of 93 years, 9 months, and 21 days. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wenatchee, and St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Mott and the Catholic Daughters. She was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 4-H, and was selected as the Foresters Mother of the Year in May of 1980. She loved playing cards and baking, especially chocolate chip cookies. Later in life, she loved to travel and visited many places, including Japan, Rome, Mexico and a Caribbean cruise.

Surviving family members include her four sons and daughters-in-law, Linden and Molly McKinney of Lake Tapps, WA, Donald and Sandy McKinney of Stanwood, WA, Paul McKinney of East Wenatchee, WA and Cecil and Amy McKinney of Wenatchee, WA; one daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Leland Ebert of Mott, ND; 13 grandchildren, Michelle (John) Damon, Christie (Pat) King, Rebecka McKinney, Margaret McKinney, Eric McKinney, Heather (Russ) Hamilton, Bryan McKinney, Sarah (Glen) Richardson, Jamie (Regina) McKinney, Geoffrey McKinney, Peyton McKinney, Samantha Ebert and Lindsey Ebert; 18 great-grandchildren; a sister, Emmie Lutz of Mott, ND; and one brother and two sisters-in-law, Norbert and Francis Fries, and Marge Fries, all of Mott, ND. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sisters, Helen Lutz and Vernie Friedt; and two brothers, Jake and Donald Fries.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 3, 2012, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wenatchee, with Burial in the Wenatchee City Cemetery to follow. Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Jones & Jones-Betts Memorial Chapel in Wenatchee. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Irene's name to the American Cancer Society or a charitable organization of your choice. Arrangements by Jones & Jones~Betts Funeral Home, Wenatchee.