Kari Kristina McKinley

June 4, 1972–July 3, 2020

Kari Kristina McKinley died unexpectedly in Portland, Ore., on July 3, 2020.

Kari was born in Woodland, Calif., to Norman McKinley and Kathrine (Erickson) McKinley on June 4, 1972 and spent her early years in Davis, Calif. and Salem, Ore.

She moved with her family to Hockessin, Delaware where she was an All-Star softball player and graduated from A.I. DuPont High School. She went on to get her LPN and joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Naples, Italy where she also played softball and travelled throughout Southern Europe with her team. She returned to Oregon with her family and was a celebrated and compassionate RN, adored by her staff, patients and their families.

She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her love of animals, her ability to create gardens, her incredible memories, her love of her family and a loving circle of friends.

She is survived by her mother, Katherine McKinley, of Salem, Ore., her father, Norman McKinley, of Kirkland, Wash., her brother, Dustin (Rachel) McKinley of Austin, Tex., and her sister, Alexandria (Ryan) McKinley-Sweeney of Beaverton, Ore., and her nephew, Ethan, and her niece, Reagan, both of Austin, Tex., whom she adored. In addition, she is survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins who will be remembered as her summer playmates, supporters, and loving prayer-givers. She is now at peace.

Graveside service will be held at the City Cemetery in Dayton, Wash., on September 19, 2020, at 12 noon.

The Humane Society would be grateful for donations in her name.