Ethel Kinney

Ethel Mae Kinney, daughter of Joseph Arthur White and Mildred Hammar White, was born March 15, 1933 in Linden, Iowa and died October 25, 2018 at her daughter’s home near Woodward, Iowa surrounded by her loving family. Ethel was 85 years old.  

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry on Monday, October 29, 2018. Visitation was held at 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial was in the Richland Township Cemetery near Jamaica, Iowa. Pastor Larry Monthei presided over the service. Honorary casket bearers were: Heath DeWeese, Aaron Rosenbeck, Paul Simpson, Nathan Schwarz, Ryan Lingner, Julie Valasek, Elizabeth Lesperance and Kelsey Lyons. Casket bearers were: Jason Monthei, Gerad Rosenbeck, Alex Monthei, Kent Efkamp, Kyle Lingner and Justin Efkamp. Music played at the service consisted of “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” “Ivory Palaces” and “The Lord’s Prayer.” 

Ethel attended school in Cooper for a time and graduated from Linden High School. Ethel was united in marriage to Charles Zelman Kinney Sr. on August 9, 1953. They made their home in Jamaica until 1988 when they moved to Panora. Ethel continued to live in Panora after her husband’s death. Two years ago she moved to Janet and Robert’s home near Woodward. She had also lived with Marti and Brian for a time, before returning to Janet’s. Ethel was the proud mother of her five daughters: Janet, Deborah, Zelma, Lori and Marti, and son, Charles Zelman Jr.  

She had always been a hard worker, driving truck, working at Oscar Mayer, caring for her family, raising huge gardens, and canning the produce. Ethel was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for over 50 years. She had enjoyed holding the offices of the Star and served as the Worthy Grand Matron. Ethel enjoyed trips to the casino and watching her favorite basketball and football teams, the Hawkeyes and the Cyclones. She was a super cribbage player.   

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Mildred; husband, Charles Zelman Sr.; son, Charles Zelman Jr. “Chick”; son-in-law, Tom Monthei; teenage brother, Leland White; brother, Charles White; sisters, Marjorie Strunk and Lorraine Beazor; niece, Lila and nephew, Harold. Ethel’s memory will be cherished by her children: Janet Weatherbee (Robert) of Woodward, Deborah Monthei of Jefferson, Zelma Schwarz (Dennis) of Pine City, Minn., Lori Kinney of Perry and Marti Efkamp (Brian) of Ankeny; grandchildren: Jason Monthei, Gerad Rosenbeck (Kristin), Alex Monthei (Ashley), Kent Efkamp (Jessica), Justin Efkamp (Bridget), Kyle Lingner, Heath DeWeese (Katie), Aaron Rosenbeck (Keiko), Paul Simpson, Nathan Schwarz, Ryan Lingner (Jennifer), Julie Valasek (Carl), Elizabeth Lesperance (Jeff), Kelsey Lyons (Logan) and Jeni Clark (Brendan); 24 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Virginia White of Perry; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Hastings Funeral Home.