Obituaries : Dorothy McKinley Sloan

Dorothy McKinley Sloan

BRANDON - Dorothy McKinley Sloan, 86, passed away and entered into her heavenly home on December 21, 2014, while receiving hospice care at La Porte City Nursing and Rehab Center.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2014, at the Brandon United Methodist Church with Pastor Lexie Kirkpatrick and Rev. Carol Kress officiating. Memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, December 29, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton. Inurnment will be in the Brandon Cemetery. Per Dorothy’s wishes, her body has been cremated.
Dorothy Harriet Harmon was born in Grand Mound, Iowa, on April 11, 1928, the daughter of James Lynn and Marvel Julianna Brockman Harmon.
Dorothy graduated from Brandon High School in 1945. Following graduation, she attended Gates Business College in Waterloo. Riding the train from Brandon to Waterloo, she worked for 3 years at the bus depot in Waterloo and announced arrivals and departures.
She married Tracy McKinley on September 12, 1948, at the Brandon United Methodist Church. Dorothy farmed with Tracy for over 30 years, and together they raised 7 children. Besides farming and working in the dairy barn with Tracy, Dorothy enjoyed activities at the Brandon United Methodist Church such as Bible studies, singing in the choir and helping serve others in the church and her community with her servant’s heart. She enjoyed reading, especially her Bible, and spending time outdoors, growing and canning garden produce. She had a green thumb for beautiful flowers as well. She attended numerous different clubs and played cards and hosted card parties with neighbors and friends. She and Tracy had good times attending dances throughout their married life. When Tracy retired from farming, the plan was for the two of them to travel. He unexpectedly passed away on March 23, 1981. For the next few years, she was able to have several trips to see the world with her friends and she visited her children. She was active in attending her grandchildren’s birthdays and school events.
In 1990, Dorothy was courted by her neighbor and good friend, Norman Clare Sloan. They were married on August 29, 1991, adding 3 step-children and one step-grandson to the family. Norman and Dorothy traveled frequently across the country in their RV, visiting family and friends and seeing some sights around the world. Every winter they relaxed in the Florida sunshine at their RV park, where new friendships were made with their Canadian friends in the park. They enjoyed gardening, riding their bikes on the nature trail in Iowa and in Florida and visiting family and friends. Dorothy and Norman were active in the community, church and Bible study. Norman preceded her in death on November 1, 2014.
Dorothy is survived by her children: Gary (Connie) McKinley of Vinton; Deana (Richard) Larson of Sheffield; Tracy McKinley of Guttenburg; Timothy McKinley of Lacey, WA; Thomas McKinley of Lake Barrington, IL; Mary (Jeff) Meyer of Macon, IL; and Sheila McKinley of Marengo; 3 step-children: Robert and Dick (Diana) Sloan and Carol Citty; one brother, Russell Harmon of Aiken, SC; 9 grandchildren: Thad (Ronica) and Aaron McKinley, Tracey (Alan) Menninga, Angie (Todd) Boyse, Scott (Kelly) Sorenson, and Jesiah, Isaac and Ethan Meyer; one step-grandson, Adam; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents and husbands, Tracy McKinley and Norman Clare Sloan.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Camp Courageous or to the Brandon Area Community Center.
Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Dorothy and her family. Condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.
She is joyfully united with her Lord and Savior!