Lillian M. McKinney
Lillian M. (Fralick) Schnering McKinney, 92, passed away on Saturday, May 22, 2021, at Prairie Maison in Prairie du Chien.
She was born on the family farm, near Bagley, on June 18, 1928, the daughter of Clarence and Hazel (Shrake) Fralick. Lillian graduated from Bagley High School in 1945, followed by nurse assistant training in Chicago and Prairie du Chien. Later, she attended Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in Fennimore for EMT training. On April 24, 1948, Lillian married Stanley Schnering at the Methodist Church in Bagley. They moved to Cassville, where they owned and operated Stan’s Landing and Resort (now called Eagles Roost Resort) for 22 years with their sons, Richard, Donald and Roger. Lillian was a member of the Methodist Church, a Cub Scout leader, and an EMT with the Cassville Rescue Squad. Stanley preceded her in death on Jan. 23, 1977, after 29 years of marriage. Two years later, Lillian began working as a manager for the new Fennimore Hills Motel, Fennimore. On Oct. 26, 1979, Lillian and George McKinney were married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington. They lived on the McKinney family farm near Bagley. Lillian spent the next 10 years teaching CPR for Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, helping to introduce the new procedure to the high schools and fire departments in Cassville, Bagley, Bloomington and the surrounding area. George and Lillian enjoyed working, playing cards, square dancing and spending the winter months in southern Texas. George preceded her in death on Feb. 27, 2011, after 31 years of marriage. Lillian was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Patch Grove, where she served as lector and on the Parish Council. She belonged to the “Country Cousins” neighborhood group and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 482, Bagley, earning state recognition for her work as historian. Lillian was also a member of the FO Eagle’s Auxiliary 1502, Prairie du Chien.
Survivors include her sons, Richard (Carol) and Roger (Brenda), Cassville, Donald (Linda), and Terry, Mont.; stepchildren, Michael (Donna) and Roger (Judy) McKinney, Bagley, and Janelle (Greg) Crubel, Bloomington; 16 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Carol Webster and Mary McKinney.
In addition to her parents and husbands, Lillian was preceded in death by her brothers, Edward (Lorinda), Floyd (Verna), Laurence (Carol) and Robert (Ruth) Fralick; sisters, Elsie (Walter) Drew and Geneva Picha; sisters-in-law, Mary Jean (Bill) Wilson, Donna (Walter) Kirschbaum, Carol Carroll, Myrna (Don) Welsch; and brother-in-law, Kenny McKinney.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, May 26, at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church in Cassville with Father John Meinholz officiating. Burial will be at the Cassville Cemetery, Cassville. Family and friends may call on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of plants and flowers, a Lillian M. McKinney Memorial Fund has been established. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home and Crematory in Cassville is entrusted with her care.
The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Bluff Haven and Prairie Maison for the excellent care given to Lillian. Online condolences may be left at martin schwartzfuneralhomes.com.
