Carol H. (Kling) McKinney

   Carol H. McKinney, 83, of Newton, died Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Traditions Memory Care in Newton. A Celebration of Carol’s Life will be held from 2-4 p.m., Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton. Memorials to Traditions Memory Care or Suncrest Hospice can be left at the funeral home.

   Carol, the daughter of Lester D. and Carol (Cunningham) Kling, was born October 1, 1941, in Newton. She graduated from Newton High School in 1960.  Carol was united in marriage with Richard Watts, Sr. in 1960,  They later divorced.  Carol married Ronnie McKinney in 1967, and they also divorced.  Carol had worked as a pharmacy assistant at Des Moines General Hospital and as a housekeeper at the Terrace Inn before going to work at Walmart in Grinnell.  She later transferred to the Newton Walmart store, where she retired from after over 20 years with the company. Carol had been a member of the First Lutheran Church in Newton.  She enjoyed making crafts, crocheting, sewing, drawing, and was an avid reader.  She also enjoyed going for walks. In her younger years, she would walk miles a day, often bringing her children with her.

   Carol is survived by her siblings, Howard Kling, James (Bette) Kling, and Kathy Plumb; 4 children: Patti (Jim) Fletcher, Rick (Susanne) Watts, Andy (Terri) McKinney, and Mike (Cassidy) McKinney, all of Newton; her grandchildren: Tyler, Ben, Shannon, AJ, Brittany, Corey, Riley, Kylie, and Michael; several great-grandchildren;  and many nieces and nephews.  Carol was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Cheryl Kling and Armelda Sutton.

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