Jerri Kinney

Jerri Loye Denning Kinney, 79, passed away April 6, 2016 peacefully at The Gables, surrounded by family and friends, and in the care of Hospice of Eastern Idaho. The first child of Ude Denning and Grace Haderlie Denning, she was born on July 21, 1936 in Idaho Falls. She grew up in Idaho Falls and was joined by siblings Marvin, Jay, Keith, Gordon, Jack and Diane. Jerri’s mother died in 1953, and Jerri never stopped loving and remembering her.

In 1955, Jerri married Lloyd “Robbie” Robinson in Rexburg, Idaho. The couple had three children: sons Robbie Leslie and Blain Norman, and daughter Shawna Lee. Lloyd and Jerri lived in Idaho Falls, Bonners Ferry, Washington state and California, always returning to Idaho Falls. They were later divorced.

In 1978, Jerri married John Valentine Kinney. The couple resided in St. Anthony, Idaho Falls, and Tennessee, returning to Idaho Falls in 2005 to live out the remainder of their lives.

Jerri worked as a cosmetologist, secretary and waitress at times, but her primary passion was taking care of her family. Jerri’s pastimes included knitting, crochet, toll painting, studying the Bible, oil painting, arranging flowers and other arts and crafts. She loved flower and vegetable gardening, and loved to play pinochle with her family and friends.

When daughter Shawna became a Christian in 1980, Jerri was concerned with her sudden strong interest in attending church and reading the Bible. She decided to see for herself what her daughter was caught up in – and soon became a Christian herself. Not long afterward, her husband John followed suit.

She pursued everything with vigor, and knowing Christ and following Him was her passion. They were faithful members of Ashton Christian Fellowship, St. Anthony Foursquare, and Shiloh Foursquare in Idaho Falls at various times.

Jerri overcame many hardships in her life, yet never lost her faith in God. The loss of her mother when Jerri was 17 affected her deeply. Her son Robbie’s death at age 7 in a tragic accident was very difficult for her, but she never lost hope that she would again be a mother. She kept her sense of humor, too, and was always the life of any party. Being a grandparent was a special treasure for her, and many happy times were spent having tea parties with Brittany and Leah.

Jerri was preceded in death by her parents, Ude and Grace Denning; sister Diane, brothers Jack, Marvin, and Jay, son Robbie, granddaughter Kayla Howze, and husband John Kinney. She is survived by her brothers Keith (Gae), Gordon, mother-in-law, Afton Vandenberg, son Blain of Madisonville, Tenn., daughter Shawna Howze (John) of Idaho Falls, honorary son Alan Parker, stepsons Heinz and Mike Schreier, grandchildren Brittany, Leah, Nicholas, ShyAnne and Sarah, and two great-grandchildren, William and Harrison.

Services will be at Shiloh Foursquare Church at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, Pastor Tony Maupin presiding. The family will visit with friends beginning at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission, 840 Park Avenue, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402 or Hospice of Eastern Idaho, 1810 Moran Street, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401.

Private Family Services. She passed away on