McKenna R. Johnson

McKenna Rae Johnson, 16, of Kearney, died Monday, January 9, 2017 at home. Funeral services will be at 10:30 am Friday at Kearney EFree Church. Interment will be in the Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm Thursday at the church. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home is serving the family. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. McKenna was born on February 14, 2000 in Kearney, to Scott and Rhonda (Davis) Johnson. She grew up in Kearney where she attended Meadowlark Elementary and Sunrise Middle School. While at Sunrise she was selected to perform in the Sing Around Nebraska Honor Choir. Kenna was currently a junior at Kearney High School where she excelled in both academics and athletics. She was an honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club and the K Club. McKenna was a member of the Bearcat varsity softball team and was also a member of the 2016 Nebraska Class A State Track Championship team. For the past several summers she continued to pursue her love of softball as a member of the Kearney Krush Blue. McKenna was a gentle and caring person who didn’t hesitate to stick up for her friends and strangers alike. She strived to include everyone and was the first to look out for the underdog. It was this caring personality and heart of gold that gave her aspirations of becoming a physician someday. She loved children and always looked forward to her babysitting nights. Family and friends will always remember her quick-wit, larger than life smile and infectious laugh. They will also remember her numerous Sonic Happy Hour runs and her love of pizza rolls, black olives, pickle juice and Dinty Moore Beef Stew. McKenna also enjoyed listening to hip hop music and Lana Del Rey. Her favorite television shows included Law and Order SVU, Gossip Girls and Chopped. Most of all McKenna loved time with her family, whether it be at family celebrations, sporting events or simply talking on the phone. Those left to cherish her memory include her parents, Scott and Rhonda Johnson of Kearney; a sister, Kaitie Johnson; two brothers, Blake and Tanner Johnson of Kearney; grandparents, Owen and Marlene Davis of Rushville and Ron and Pat Mallam of Kearney; aunts and uncles, Greg and Steph Johnson of Lincoln, Jeff and Gina Davis of Rushville, Greg and Denise Davis of Kearney, Bryan and Julie Linders of Rushville, Faron and Cari Greenough of Kearney, Brandie Yeutter of Kearney and Brock and Rheanna Mallam of Kearney; her great grandma Norma Child of Gordon; cousins, Lily, Jace, Madison, Macie, Kennedy, Kinley, Gentry, Burke, Marc, Gavin, Aubrey, Zane, Michaela, Mariah, Paige, Rylan, Brynlee, Ashton and Delani; Godparents, Mark Kool and Jennifer Kool; and a special friend, Nathan Murray. McKenna was preceded in death by her grandfather, Robert Johnson and a great uncle, Gary Davis.

McKenna R. Johnson

February 14, 2000 - January 9, 2017