Merla Deane McKinney

Merla Deane McKinney (Raben), 87, of Kansas, passed away surrounded by family on July 2nd, 2026. She was born in South Dakota on January 24th, 1939 to Leona (Arnold) and Arnold Raben. Merla married Billy McKinney in 1958 and due to his military service, they moved a lot and spent time in California, Nebraska, Iowa, England, and Puerto Rico, before landing in Kansas where they would both spend the rest of their lives, even though she was pretty sure she was allergic to Kansas.

Merla spent her life as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and talented Avon saleslady. Her friends and family all have plenty of stories to tell regarding her sass, which was strong to the very end.

She was preceded in death by her three half-brothers, her parents, and her husband. She is survived by her children, Robert McKinney of Washington, Brad (Julie) McKinney of Georgia, and Karen McKinney of Kansas; her honorary daughter, Colleen Shirley; her grandchildren, Sabrina (Jarrod) Alley, Kaitlyn (Spencer) Archibald, and Jared (Abby) McKinney and her great grandchildren, Kody, Kyle, Emerson, Hanson, and Palmer.

Visitation with family is 10:00 am to noon, Friday, July 10, 2026 at Smith Family Mortuary, 1415 N Rock Road, Derby, KS 67037.

 In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Alzheimer's Association (Alz.org)