Wanda Ann Bahr McKinney

Wanda Ann Bahr McKinney, 69, of Havre, died of cancer, November 28, 2016. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 30, 2016 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Her funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, December 1, 2016 at Fifth Avenue Christian Church with Pastor John Chapman officiating. Holland and Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Wanda's online memorial page at http://www.hollandbonine.com to leave a message of condolence for the family.

Wanda was born December 9, 1946 on the family farm north of Chinook. Wanda took great pride in recounting that she was delivered by kerosene lantern by her grandmother, Lena Bahr. Wanda grew up with her cousins and little sister Cindy, spending time on the farm whenever possible. Wanda graduated from Chinook High School in 1965 and went on to Kinman Business College in Spokane. While going to college, she met the love of her life, Ruben J. McKinney. Wanda and Ruben were married January 28, 1968, raising 3 children, Ben, David, and Sarah while living in Havre and Kremlin, becoming an older sister once again to Melody the same year her first son, Ben was born.

Wanda was very involved in her community as an active member of Jaycee's, Beta Sigma Phi, American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, Pachyderm Club, Calvary Baptist and First Baptist churches. Wanda worked at the welfare office in Havre, then spent 26 years at Northern Montana College, seeing the college through its transition to MSU-Northern and seeing hundreds of students through their transition to graduation. While working, Wanda also earned her Associates in Business from Northern. Wanda mentored many work study students as well as others who just stopped in to see a friendly face.

Above all, Wanda cherished family and was proud of all her children and grandchildren. Wanda and Ruben enjoyed camping, fishing, and hunting, teaching their kids and grandkids a love for the outdoors. Wanda and Ruben were honored to raise their granddaughter, Julie Anna as well. Wanda enjoyed all of her grandchildren in their different stages of growing, attending school functions and graduations when possible and babysitting her very special great-granddaughter, Quorra Ann, when she came along. Wanda also enjoyed taking part in the Gilbert Family Reunion every year.

Wanda battled colorectal cancer for the last 11 years, proving an inspiration to other patients, doctors, researchers, and above all, her friends and family.

Wanda is survived by her sons Ben (Kim) McKinney, David McKinney, daughter, Sarah McKinney Griffith, stepdaughter Sheri McKinney (John) Campbell, sisters Cindy (Jerry) Widhalm, Melody (Preston Gilmore) Sand, grandchildren Julie, Jacob, Tyler, Dylan, Johnny, great-grandchild Quorra Ann, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends as well as her uncles Earl Bahr, Kenny Gilbert, Gaylord Gilbert, and aunts Lily Kretchmer and Iris Hay.

Wanda is preceded in death by her husband, Ruben, her parents Anna (Stan) Sand and Calvin Gilbert, her grandparents, and several aunts and uncles.

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