Nicki McKenna

Nicki McKenna, age 65, of Storm Lake, Iowa died Sunday, November 30, 2014 at her home in Storm Lake. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 5, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in the Storm Lake Cemetery. Visitation will take place Thursday, December 4, 2014 from 3-8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. all at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake where the family will be present the entire time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made towards a bench at East Playground or a scholarship fund for Storm Lake High School kids who study to become Special Ed Teachers or therapists who work with students with disabilities. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Nickala “Nicki” Jo Vilas born January 5, 1949 in Storm Lake, Iowa the daughter of Wilbert and Joan (Mummert) Vilas. Growing up, she attended school in Storm Lake graduating from Storm Lake High School in May 1967. Following high school graduation, she attended Stewart's School of Cosmetology in Sioux City finishing in June of 1968. After getting her license, she was hired by Stewarts to work in their shop in Omaha, Nebraska. She met her future husband, Edward McKenna, at a club called Bill Bailey's in the Benson area of Omaha in March 1969. She and Ed became engaged in May of 1969 and married on September 5, 1969 in Storm Lake. She was raised Methodist, but shortly after their marriage, Nicki converted to Catholicism. She and her family lived in Omaha, Nebraska and Manhattan, Kansas while Ed served in the army at Ft. Riley, Kansas, before he returned to Omaha in 1973. In October of 1977, they moved back to Storm Lake when Ed bought Ireland Drug and to raise their children in their small hometown. From this union, came four children: Shawna, Brandon, Troy and Ryan. Nicki was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority in Storm Lake. She served on the St. Mary’s CCD board, the Storm Lake Sports Boosters and the Storm Lake Music Boosters. She also was a scout leader for a few years. In addition, Nicki served as the CHO (Chief Hospitality Officer) for the Ed’s Apothecary men’s softball league as well as the Storm Lake Whitecaps traveling baseball team. Nicki was an avid Creighton BlueJay fan as many knew, making almost 100% of their home ball games even while battling ALS. She also enjoyed doing cross stitch, sewing, knitting baby things for family and friends, painting, quilting and scrap booking for her family as well as had a love for reading and enjoyed that until the end. After her children left home, she went back to work. She became a barista for Abner Bell's Coffeehouse and became manager, a position she held for a few years before going to work for the Storm Lake School District as a Special Ed IA, a job she thoroughly enjoyed. She worked for about 10 years at that job before she had to retire, due to her health issues, in May of 2012. She was diagnosed with ALS on May 16, 2013. Her greatest pleasure came when following her children in sports and various other activities they were involved in. She was proudest of the achievements her children and grandchildren acquired. She was quick to show pictures of her grandchildren at their latest recital, their art project, baseball game or karate class. She and Ed took many trips around their anniversary. Perhaps the one they enjoyed the most was their trip to the McKenna ancestral home of Ireland in 2012. Ed was able to attend the Notre Dame vs Navy football game in Dublin. They were able to see many beautiful sights and connect with some McKenna family members in the family town of Buncrana, County Donegal. It was a wonderful way to celebrate 43 years of marriage. Their wish was to return to Ireland with their children and spouses for their 50th. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Edward J. McKenna of Storm Lake, Iowa; children: Shawna (Steven) Clifford of Bluffton, South Carolina; Brandon (Rachel) McKenna of Omaha, Nebraska; Troy (Erica) McKenna of North Ridgeville, Ohio; and Ryan McKenna and Ana Colon of West Palm Beach, Florida; grandchildren: Hailey Marie Fuss, Alyssa Mya McKenna, Bridget Rae Clifford, Patrick Clay Clifford, Makayla Joan McKenna, Cailin Mae Clifford, and Emma Morgan McKenna; her father, Willie Vilas and Marlene Witt; sister, Mikka Belson of Holstein, Iowa; brother, Doug Vilas of Storm Lake, Iowa; two brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law: Terry McCormick of Jacksonville, Florida; Jon and Patti McKenna of Storm Lake, Iowa; numerous nieces and nephews; aunt, Arlene Vilas. She also served as a mother to her nieces and nephews and all of her children’s family and friends. A role that brought her great joy and honor! Nicki was preceded in death by her grandparents: Oliver and Fay (Treloar) Vilas; Troy and Grace (Huff) Mummert; her mother, Joan (Mummert) Vilas; mother-in-law and father-in-law: Alberta and Lawrence McKenna; sister-in-law, Susanna “Sanna” McCormick; nephew, Brian McCormick; aunts and uncles: Billie and Doris Mummert; Dale and Marian Mummert; and Dwain Vilas; cousins: Mike Mummert and Cheryl Mummert Schultz. Her motto during her fight with ALS was: "I do what I can, the best that I can, day after day! That's all I can do!" She never gave up the fight!

Nicki McKenna

January 5, 1949 - November 30, 2014