Lou Ann (Graham) McKinley, 87, of Russell, Kansas passed away Monday, October 6, 2014 at the Russell Regional Hospital.

Lou Ann was born May 4, 1927 in Thayer County, Nebraska, one of five children born to Jesse and Hazel (Landis) Graham.  She grew up in the Mahaska, Kansas area and graduated from Mahaska High School.  After high school she taught in rural schools in the Mahaska area for several years.  Lou Ann graduated from Emporia Teachers College with a degree in Education.  She moved to the Russell area in 1959.

Lou Ann was united in marriage to Raymond McKinley on June 4, 1966 in Russell.  They made their home in the Russell area.  Raymond preceded her in death on March 25, 2002.

Lou Ann taught at Palco, Kansas for a couple of years before moving to Russell.  She then taught at the Russell Junior High School.  After her marriage, she helped Raymond with the family farm.  She and Ray also started the McKinley Auction Service which they ran together for many years.  

Lou Ann was a very active member of the First Congregational Church where she was a past chairman, treasurer and any other position available.  She was a member and past treasurer for Delta Kappa Gamma, was on the township board for many years, and served as a community leader for Lone Star 4-H Club.  She enjoyed woodworking and refinishing old furniture, sewing clothes for family, collecting thimbles and dolls and doing cross word puzzles and Soduko.  The most important things in life to Lou Ann were family, farm and husband.  She was proud of the life that she and Ray made and loved spoiling the granddaughters and great grandkids.

Surviving family include her daughter, Raeleen Reinhardt (Stephen) of Russell, Kansas; sister, Mary Jane Kerr of Winfield, Kansas; three granddaughters, Jill Stoughton (Nathan), Afton Brown (Derreck), and Kyla Driscoll (Talbot) all of Russell, Kansas; and four great grandchildren, Kinley, Hadlee, Layne, and Rush.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and three brothers, Jesse Leon Graham, Francis Gerald Graham and William Graham.

Celebration of Lou Ann’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, October 10, 2014 at the Trinity United Methodist Church with Pastor Ron Wedel officiating.  Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery.  Visitation will be 9 AM to 8 PM Thursday, October 9, 2014 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM.  Memorials have been established with First Congregational Church and the Russell County Food Pantry.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.