Eleanor F. (Vanatta) McKamey passed away peacefully on September 19, 2022, in Missoula. She was 100 years old. A service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 30, 2022, at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel.
Eleanor was born on July 8, 1922, to Dr. Frank C. and Ella Vanatta. She grew up in Cascade, Montana. After graduating from Cascade High School in 1940 and Montana State College in Bozeman in 1944, she joined the Navy WAVES. She taught courses in the Wave Hospital Corps School during World War II as well as service as a nurse’s aide.
After the war, Eleanor taught English and Spanish at Great Falls High School until she married Earl McKamey on October 1, 1947. She lived in her home on the McKamey ranch for over 70 years. She loved the outdoors, gardening, fishing, hiking, and riding around the ranch with Earl. She also loved the Lord and actively served Him. She taught various ladies’ Bible studies as well as the adult Sunday school class in a small Sunday school in Stockett which eventually grew into the Stockett Community Bible Chapel. She also loved volunteering at the C-N Bible Camp outside of Augusta. Eleanor was a faithful caregiver sharing the care of her father with her brother and wife, Franklin and Dorothy Vanatta. She cared for her husband, Earl, for almost 10 years. She loved her family and looked forward to their visits. She especially enjoyed her 100th birthday celebration surrounded by most of her family.
Eleanor is survived by her four children, Karen (Don) Williams of Meadville, PA, Kathy (Jack) Walton of Missoula, Ken (Phyllis) McKamey of Smith River, and Rebecca (Joe) Roloff of Spokane, WA; 15 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl; and brother, Franklin Vanatta.
Memorials in Eleanor’s name may be sent to Stockett Community Bible Chapel or the Montana State University Alumni Foundation.
