Myrtle Arlene McKinney, 90, of White, died Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, at the Hendricks Hospital, Hendricks, Minnesota, surrounded by her family.
Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in White. Burial is at Fairview Cemetery in White. Visitation is from 5 - 7 p.m. today at the United Methodist Church in White. Eidsness Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Myrtle Arlene Berndt was born May 7, 1927, at White to Conrad and Lucy (Pinckau) Berndt. Myrtle attended public school in Sherman Township in White and White High School.
Myrtle married Merlyn Charles McKinney on July 20, 1944, at Brookings. At the time of Merlyn's death in August 2010, they had been married 66 years. After their marriage, they farmed in the White area and then purchased the farm located in Oak Lake Township, known as the Berndt Farm. This farm has been in Berndt family since 1891, when it was homesteaded.
As a young mother and wife she helped on the farm and cared for her children. In 1979, they moved into the city of White. Myrtle was employed as the assistant cook at the White Care Center beginning in 1980. Following her retirement from the care center she became employed as the librarian at the Deubrook Library , retiring in 2002. She also served on the White City Election Board for several years, retiring in 2015.
Myrtle was a member of the United Methodist Church where she served in various offices in the United Methodist Women. Myrtle had also been a member of the White Community Club (where she and Merlyn enjoyed many dances), Rebecca Lodge, Oak Lake Birthday Club and served on the Oak Lake District School Board. Myrtle enjoyed her grandchildren's and especially her great-grandchildren's activities and didn't like to miss their concerts, basketball, soccer or football games and was always "ready to go." She enjoyed playing cards with her many friends, board games and reading. She loved her family coming for a Pioneer Days family gathering each year. She remained very active until the last week of her life.
Myrtle is survived by her three sons, Loren (Kathy) McKinney of White, Richard (Lanny) McKinney of Brandon and Charles (Janice) McKinney of White; 10 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; eight step great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; a brother-in-law, James McKinney (friend Sharon Schwaderer) of Brandon; a sister-in-law, Ruth Berndt of White, five nephews and their families; and special friends John, Nancy, Brenda and Kevin Kleinjan.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Merlyn McKinney; daughter, Arlene Pickard; granddaughter, Angela Pickard; great-grandson Tanner Pickard, step great-grandson, Chaz Medenwaldt, and brother, Clinton Berndt; father- in-law, Charles McKinney and mother-in-law, Olive McKinney; brother-in-law, Eugene McKinney and sister-in-law, Norma McKinney.
