Lillian (Lil) McKenna

Lillian (Lil) Laura McKenna passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026 with family by her side after a short battle with cancer, and a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Lil was born on August 2, 1936, in Jasper, Indiana to Stella (Dudine) and Leonard Uebelhor. She grew up in a family of ten children, five sisters and four brothers. All six sisters became nurses, and Lil spent her time as a pediatric hospital nurse.

Lil spent over 56 years in De Pere, Wisconsin, where she and her husband Dave raised their three children, Anne, Maureen and David. She was an amazing mother, who gave her children all the love and opportunities that she could. She taught us to cook, garden, sew, create, play, enjoy the outdoors, and to always keep moving. Her favorite refrain was “Busy hands are happy hands.” She taught us kindness, respect, love, tenacity, and the importance of family.

A self-taught artist and prolific watercolor painter, she had a creative eye, and everything in her life was colored through that lens. She made everything special, from birthdays to parties to decorating for holidays and for local charities and fundraisers. Lil spent many years at St. Francis Xavier Church making banners, decorating with flowers and setting up the altar for special holidays and occasions. She always showed up early before an event to make sure everything looked just right!

Lil loved nature and being outdoors, and her watercolor paintings often reflected her time in nature. She saw beauty in every flower, bird, tree, animal and all the different colors of the outside world. She was in awe of nature, and her long daily walks soothed her soul.

Lil loved to sing and was a long-time member of the church choir, always available to sing for funerals and events. She was a member of the St. Francis Altar Rosary Society. She also joined the St. Norbert Abbey choir and served as an associate for many years at the Abbey, where she found her spiritual community.

A lifelong volunteer, Lil received her 40-year volunteer pin with the Red Cross, and she was a member of St. Vincent Hospital Auxiliary. She showed up and volunteered in every way possible for her children – classroom, scout leader, 4-H leader and for every school event and fundraiser, often being the coordinator. Lil later taught art for many years at Notre Dame Elementary School when the school did not have an art program.

We will most remember our mother as a warm and loving, empathetic person who always reached out to those who were struggling, alone, or forgotten because she understood what that felt like. She was a joiner, always the one who said yes, never hesitating to help someone or give of herself. She never expected anything in return, though she longed to belong and be included because she was a “people person” and loved to be with others. Lil was the epitome of helping those less fortunate, and always believed that everyone was somebody, and that everybody deserved to be treated with kindness. She always kept going through all life’s hurdles. She was the definition of tenacious. Lil said her faith and family were what kept her going and she had a close relationship with God.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dave, sisters Dottie, Joan, Bernice, and Micky. Brothers-in-laws Duane Temple and James McKenna; sister-in-laws Diane Uebelhor, Sandy Uebelhor, MaryAnn McKenna and Shirley McKenna; former daughter-in-law Karen Larsen.

She is survived by her children, Anne (Brad Hinkfuss) McKenna, Maureen McKenna, David McKenna. Grandchildren Alex, Fiona, Ian and Noah. Sister Mimi (Rock) Alberts, Brothers Bill, Bob, John and Rick (Wanda). Beloved In-laws Ellie Temple, Rob and Jane McKenna. Countless nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Family was everything to her.

The family would like to thank Barb Kratz, who has been a great friend to our mom. We also thank Unity Hospice for your compassionate care. Above all, we would like to thank the Woodside Manor family of staff and aides, who provided excellent care and who treated her like a family member and loved her when we weren’t there. She was a favorite of staff! She found a great sense of belonging with you all.

A celebration of Lil’s life will be held on Wednesday, March 25th at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in De Pere. Visitation is at 12:00 p.m., and the funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Red Cross, Wisconsin Public Television, or the Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter. In lieu of a donation, do something kind for someone, embrace someone different than you, smile and say hello to a stranger, reach out with love and kindness as Lil did.