HELEN MCKINNIE obituary

COEUR D'ALENE/CHINOOK - Helen M. McKinnie, 97, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, died Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, at Coeur d'Alene health and rehabilitation center.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Calvary Chapel, 180 W. Clayton Avenue, Coeur d'Alene. Interment will be at Kuper

Memorial Cemetery in Chinook. Visit Helen's memorial and sign the online guest register at http://www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.

Helen was born to Pearl and Molly Montgomery in Estevan, Saskatchewan. In 1912, the family returned to the United States and homesteaded in northern Montana.

Helen remained in Montana until 1987, when she moved to Coeur d'Alene to be near her daughter.

In 1929 she married Kenneth G. McKinnie and they resided in Chinook, where they raised their two children. After retiring from teaching second grade, she entered into a second vocation by purchasing Maranatha Christian Supply in Havre. She was instrumental in providing a "home" for KXEI Christian Radio Station above the book store and later sold the building to the station. Her life was a testimony of love and Christian service.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, "Mac", all of her siblings and her son, Kenneth in 2002.

Survivors include her daughter, Marlene (Larry) Martens of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; daughter-in-law, Shirley McKinnie of San Mateo, Calif .; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Laura Palm of Chinook; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial gifts may be sent to KXEI, P.O. Box 2426, Havre, MT 59501 or the Chinook Presbyterian Church.

Yates Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.