Gwendolyn McKinnis Obituary (2015)

Funeral services for Gwen McKinnis, age 85 of Blair, will be held Saturday August 1st at Country Bible Church in Blair Nebraska at 2:30 PM. Visitation will be held Friday July 31st at Campbell Aman Funeral Home beginning at 4:00PM with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00PM Gwen McKinnis was born April 3, 1930, in Bancroft, NE to Fred and Beatta (Raasch) Sass. Gwen graduated from Blair High School in 1948. She married the love of her life, Clair McKinnis on July 18, 1950 in Blair, NE and they enjoyed 65 devoted years together. She passed away July 29, 2015 in her home in Blair, NE. Gwen was the secretary and bookkeeper for McKinnis Construction for many years. Over the years, she was actively involved in such organizations as the Bible Study Fellowship, Christian Women’s Club, and the Blair Board of Education. Gwen was the founder of Blair P.R.I.D.E and was active in the Country Bible Church Women’s Ministry and Prayer Ministry. She was also a volunteer at Assisted Living homes and the local hospital. Gwen loved the Lord and her family. She especially enjoyed watching her grandkids and great grandkids grow and enjoy life. She was once known as the “Cake Lady” for her talent of baking cakes for special occasions. Gwen enjoyed giving swimming lessons to neighborhood children and highly enjoyed Bible studies with friends. Gwen is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Bea Sass; brother, Fred Sass; son, Danny McKinnis; and daughter, Lori Svendgard. She is survived by her husband Clair; daughter Lana (Pat) Thompson; son Dave (Kathy) McKinnis; son in-law, Tim Svendgard; 8 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews Memorials may be sent to Country Bible Church, Good News Jail & Prison Ministry, and Smile Train.