Wilma L. McKinstry

After 94 ¾ years of continuous residence in Julesburg, Skip McKinstry is departing the community. Although each of her children implored her to move in with them, Skip refused to leave the town and the people that she loved. It honestly took death for her to exit Julesburg.

Wilma L. (Skip) Pickernell was born on December 9, 1929. She attended elementary and secondary schools in Julesburg, graduating in 1948. Skip attended the Ford School of Accounting before working for her father, Wilbur, at his Ford dealership. In 1949, she married Charles (Chuck) McKinstry. The Ford dealership changed ownership, leading her to accept a job keeping books for the Massey Ferguson agricultural machinery dealership. Skip and Chuck had their first child in 1950, so they made the decision for Skip to leave the workforce after only a year at Massey Ferguson. The couple had three more children between 1955 and 1967; Skip had her hands full keeping up with the activities and antics of her family. Chuck and Skip divorced in 1968, leaving her with three children to raise (her oldest child left for college). In addition to raising kids, Skip accepted full-time employment with Coffman's Furniture. Skip loved every part of this job, from ordering and selling furniture to keeping the books and arranging deliveries. When Coffman's was sold, Skip opened a woman's clothing store - Fashion Connection; she loved stylish clothing. She operated the shop for two years before closing and accepting a job with Pro Oil, keeping books. This was a drastic change from the worlds of furniture and fashion to the bulk oil and fuel business. In 1989, Sapp Brothers bought Pro Oil, and she became the office manager of the Julesburg branch. Skip loved all her jobs because of the people that she interacted with daily; she thought nothing (although there were a few grumbles) of getting up in the middle of the night to go help a customer with a problem. The only reason that she retired at age 87 was the conversion to computers by Sapp Brothers. She knew she would miss her customers as they were her friends, but she refused to have anything to do with technology.

Skip enjoyed playing bridge and belonged to several bridge clubs. Additionally, she loved reading and the library. She was a member of PEO and was a past president. Unfortunately, macular degeneration took her sight, and she could not pursue the hobbies that she so loved. The one thing that she could still follow after losing her sight was the Broncos; she was a fanatical supporter. Skip was a humble, giving, and kind woman who was loved and will be dearly missed by her family.

Skip is survived by four children: C. Mitchell of Cary, NC; W. Russell of San Mateo, CA; Debbie of Pender, NE; and Carol of Windsor, CO. There are four grandchildren: Vance of Parker, CO; Logan of Parker, CO., Sally Tremayne of Pender, NE and Stacy Salinas of Blooming Prairie, MN. The six great-grandchildren are all boys.

A Memorial Fund for the Town of Julesburg in Skip McKinstry's name has been established, and donations may be sent to the Town Clerk, Carrie Hartwell.

Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsjulesburg.com.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Julesburg is in charge of private family arrangements.