MISSOULA - Johanna J. McKinney, 85, of Missoula, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, at St. Patrick Hospital. We were fortunate to have her at home until her last few days.

Johanna Joan Jobe was born on Feb. 20, 1926, in Wibaux, the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth Jobe. She lived in Wibaux until 1939, when she moved to the Bitterroot Valley with her family.

She married Troy D. McKinney in 1944 and moved to Missoula, where they lived their entire married lives. They celebrated 67 years of marriage earlier this year.

Johanna made a career of waiting tables at several establishments in Missoula, namely the Chimney Corner, the Turf Bar and Cafe, the Florence Hotel, Ming's, the Elks and the Holiday Inn Parkside hotel. She really enjoyed her work and loved being among the public, so much so that she worked until she was 73 years old. She received the Holiday Inn's Employee of the Year Award in 1993 at age 67. She was really proud of that award.

She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Parish and volunteered her time and services on many committees.

She was active in 4-H with her children, serving as a 4-H leader for many years. This led to years of entering food and sewing items in the Fair, which she attended every year. She loved every aspect of the fair, especially the horse races. Her love for the fair was something she passed on to her children and grandchildren. It was truly an occasion when the family was at the horse races cheering for their horse.

Johanna enjoyed family, friends, her home and cooking. She truly loved to have big meals with family and anyone who was there. She welcomed all of her children's friends and well as her grandchildren's friends. There was never a stranger in the house. We will forever have the memories of those meals and the welcome feeling that she created with them.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Elizabeth; brothers Dominic, Jake, Joseph and Henry (Hank); sisters Peggy, Rosella and Pauline.

She is survived by her husband, Troy; her children, Linda (Ted) Bair, Carol (Neal) Maier, Brenda (Kerry) Fuss, Daniel McKinney, Debora Haacke McKinney and Ronald McKinney; 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; sisters, Julia Dupuis, Marion Pfau, Florentina (Augie) Costanzo, Frances McLean, Isabelle Moerkerke and Elizabeth Paddock; brothers, George Jobe and Vince Jobe; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In accordance with Johanna's wishes, her remains were cremated and no formal services are planned. We will be having a gathering for friends and family. Please come and join us on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 1 p.m. at the Welcoma Club, 3108 Clark St. in Missoula.