Hillis McKay

Hillis Luverne McKay, 90, of St. Charles died Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at Chosen Valley Care Center, Chatfield, Mn. Hillis was born June 7, 1926 in Barnes County - Valley City, North Dakota to Whitfield and Pearl (Taylor) McKay. He attended Grand Prairie Elementary and High School in rural Luverne, ND. On April 1, 1946, Hillis entered the U.S. Army and was stationed in Inchon, Korea where he was awarded the Victory Medal for his participation in the Korean Conflict. Following his discharge from the Army in 1947, Hillis enrolled at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, graduating in 1951 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. Hillis later received a B.S. degree in Education from Valley City State College and a Masters Degree in School Administration from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. On September 27, 1952 Hillis and Myra Noeske were married in Valley City, ND. They later moved to Grand Prairie, ND where Hillis taught high school for several years. He then became superintendent of schools in Nome, ND for two years, where he also coached boys and girls basketball. In 1961 the family moved to Upsala, MN where Hillis was high school principal for five years. In 1966 Hillis and Myra moved their family to St. Charles, where he served as high school principal until 1975. In 1975 Hillis joined New York Life Insurance Company as a Life Insurance Underwriter, retiring in 1995.

Hillis was an active member of the St. Charles United Methodist Church and the St. Charles Lions Club - receiving the Melvin Jones Fellow award. Hillis enjoyed attending his children and grandchildren's school activities and sporting events throughout the years and was always their biggest fan. Hillis was a very social person and always enjoyed good conversation and meeting the guys downtown for coffee. He was a kind and gentle soul, who treated all with respect.

Survivors include his wife Myra, children; Jeff (Sara) McKay of Owatonna, Jerry (Theresa) of St. Charles, Joan (Dave) Schultz of St. Cloud, Jim McKay of Douglas, WY and Jill (Scott) Harkness of Jackson, WY, grandchildren; Ryan, Kyle and Katie McKay, Tess Heyer, Paul (Anna) McKay, Jim (Elisa) McKay, Erin (Taylor) Swenson, Andrew (Sandra) Schultz and Laura (Brian) Sheehan, great-grandchildren; Quincy, Cora, and Gracelyn McKay, Lillian and Viola Schultz. He was preceded in death by his parents; Whitfield and Pearl; six brothers; Lewis, Ralph, Russell, Lyle, Everett and Royal, and two sisters, Evelyn and Helen.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m.. Saturday, October 22nd at St. Charles United Methodist Church with Rev. Heather E. Klason officiating. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery. Friends may call from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 21st at Hoff Funeral Service in St. Charles. Guests may also call one hour before services at the church. Graveside military honors will be conducted by the St. Charles American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Memorials are preferred to the St. Charles Foundation for Academic Excellence and St. Charles United Methodist Church.

Please share a memory of Hillis at his on-line guestbook and view his video tribute, when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.