BLAKESBURG — Christine Theresa McKenna, 60, of Blakesburg, passed away at Hospice House in Ottumwa May 15, 2009, following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Christine was born May 21, 1948, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Claire “Russ” and Charlotte Reis Latta. Chris grew up in northwest Iowa, in the communities of Early and Corwith, and then moved to Ames when she was in junior high. She attended Iowa State University with a major in history and was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. It was at Iowa State that she met Michael McKenna, and they married on April 18, 1970. They bought a farm and settled in Blakesburg, Iowa, where Chris taught math and science for the Eddyville-Blakesburg School District for 21 years.

Chris was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and educator. She was devoted to her boys. She never missed a sporting event and could often be heard cheering above all other spectators. She was an avid reader and gardener, often sharing her books, roses, fruits and vegetables with her many friends and neighbors. She loved to take vacations and long weekend trips with her family.

Christine and Michael were blessed with four boys and their families. Their boys include Matt and wife Sherri McKenna, their children Aiden, Gavin and Colin of Kansas City, Mo.; Ryan and wife Sarah, their children Avery and Owen of Kansas City, Mo.; Mark and wife Dana McKenna of Ankeny; Patrick McKenna of Des Moines. She is also survived by her parents of Ames; brother, Michael and wife JoAnn Latta of Ft. Dodge; sister, Jackie and husband Wayne Fullenkamp of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of good friends.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at Reece Funeral Home with the family present from 3-6 p.m. Monday. A Christian Wake service will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at Reece Funeral Home.

Funeral Mass will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Sacred Heart Church in Early, Iowa, with Father Tim Schott and Father Jim Smith concelebrating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Early, Iowa.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Chris McKenna Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Obituary may be viewed at: www.legacy.com/ottumwacourier/Obituaries.asp