Alberta McKenna

Alberta McKenna, age 94, of Storm Lake, Iowa passed from this world on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at the Methodist Manor Retirement Community where she had resided for the past few years from natural causes. Alberta Louise Hyzer was born on September 12, 1916, in Storm Lake, Iowa, the daughter of Albert and Stella (Stonehocker) Hyzer. She welcomed a brother, Arnold Dean "Bud", on March 9, 1920. Alberta attended kindergarten in Storm Lake. She attended 1st grade through the 5th grade in Malvern, Iowa before moving with her family to Pennsylvania. In 1934, she graduated from William Penn Senior High School in York, Pennsylvania. Following her graduation, Alberta attended Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois for a brief time. Due to her mother's battle with cancer, the family returned to Iowa. During her younger years, Alberta lived in Storm Lake and Malvern, Iowa, New Kensington, Pennsylvania and Lacrosse, Wisconsin. On December 29, 1944, Alberta was united in marriage to Lawrence McKenna in Moville, Iowa. Following a wedding trip to Texas (where they attended the Cotton Bowl) and California they returned to Storm Lake. They made their home on the family farm south of Storm Lake. They were blessed with three children: Susanna â€œSannaâ€, Edward and Jon. She was raised as a Baptist, but confirmed at St. Mary's Catholic Church on the day her daughter, Susanna was baptized in 1945. Alberta remained a faithful member of the church, involved in the St. Mary's Guild and Catholic Daughters. Over the years, Alberta enjoyed the many groups she belonged to, including the Friendly Neighbors and the PTC group of Sulphur Springs School. Additionally, she enjoyed playing Bridge with her many friends and attending Questers meetings, to learn more about the many antiques she collected and loved. Another of Alberta's passions was the love of Big Band music. Alberta enjoyed traveling to visit family, sightseeing with the Emerald Club and taking small vacations with her family and friends. She loved the holidays and entertaining her family with wonderful meals, stories, and cards. Among the foods her family & friends will miss are her famous brownies and peanut brittle. She had a fantastic memory. Whenever asked she could recall peopleâ€™s names, the places they lived and their descendents. Her recollection of the past, will be sorely missed by her family, as a bit of their history left when she passed. One of the proudest moments in her life, was establishing in the state of Iowa, the McKenna Homestead as a Century Farm. The homestead was established in 1876 and remains active to this day. Those who will cherish Albertaâ€™s memory are her children: Edward (Nicki) McKenna of Storm Lake; Jon (Patti) McKenna of Storm Lake; son-in-law, Terry McCormick of Jacksonville, Florida; grandchildren: Shawn (Rebecca) McCormick, Meghann (Darin) Ramos and Doug McCormick, all of Jacksonville, Florida; Shawna (Steven) Clifford of New Bern, North Carolina; Brandon (Rachel) McKenna of Omaha, Nebraska; Troy (Erica) McKenna of Olathe, Kansas; Ryan (Ana Colon) McKenna of West Palm Beach, Florida; Jenny (Oscar) Villegas of Des Moines, Iowa; Megan Strait of Los Angeles, California; great grandchildren: Grace, Riley, Luke and Chase McCormick, McKenna McCormick and Annabella Ramos, all of Jacksonville, Florida; Bridget, Patrick and Cailin Clifford of New Bern, North Carolina; Alyssa and Makayla McKenna of Olathe, Kansas; and Oliver Villegas of Des Moines, Iowa; nephews: Mike & Tom Hyzer, Joe & John Duffy, and Nate McKenna; nieces: Mary McCoppin, Marsha Mernin, Jean Cavanaugh, Maybeth Wassom, Betty Wassom, and Doreen Mosberry; and other extended family and many friends. Preceding Alberta in death are her parents and step-mother, Lu Hyzer; husband, Lawrence; grandson, Brian McCormick; daughter, Susanna McCormick; brother, Bud Hyzer; sister-in-law, Joyce Hyzer, as well as numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Alberta McKenna

September 12, 1916 - November 13, 2010