Cordella McKinney

Funeral Service: Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Interment: Custer County Cemetery in Miles City

Cordella Iola McKinney, age 94, of Jackson, California passed away on Sunday, July 16, 2006 at the Kit Carlson Nursing Home in Jackson, CA.

Cordella was born, along with her twin Clella, in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 16, 1912, the daughter of Ole and Allie (Olson) Johnson. She attended school at Hillside School in Hillside, Montana till the 8th Grade. Being the oldest of five girls, Cordella then stayed home to help her father raise her siblings. Cordella married Lester McKinney in 1932. They ranched at Cohagen where Cordella worked along side her husband and four sons on the ranch.

Cordella was a member of the Lutheran Church inCohagen. She was a great cook and she made the most wonderful pies. She was very hard working and loved helping out on the ranch and farm. Cordella was a true pioneer woman.

Cordella is survived by four sons: Verne (Alice) McKinney of Billings, MT; Ronald McKinney of Jackson, CA; Lloyd McKinney ofCohagen, MT; and Larry (Kate) McKinney of Plymouth, CA; a sister, Orphia Badgely of Suttercreek, CA, a Goddaughter, LucilleRonning, ten grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters:Clella, Irene and Gladys, a cousin, Romaine Johnson who was raised as a brother, and a grandson Joel.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. Condolences may be sent to the family by visitingwww.stevensonandsons.com. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.