James P. McDonald (1941-2018)

MCDONALD

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 12/24/2018 at 21:09:44

James P. McDonald

James P. "Jim" McDonald, 77, of Dubuque, passed away Thursday, December 20, 2018 at home, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 26, at Church of the Resurrection, 4300 Asbury Rd., Dubuque, where there will be a prayer service at 2:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 27, at Church of the Resurrection. Fr. Phil Gibbs will officiate. Private burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

James was born on September 9th, 1941 in Dubuque, Iowa to Clayton and Ruth McDonald. He graduated from Cuba City High School in 1959. On September 15, 1962 he married the love of his life, Gladys Leibfried, at Immaculate Conception Church in Kieler, Wisconsin. Jim was a very devoted husband, father, grandfather, and recently a great grandfather. When it came to clowning around with the grandkids, he was the biggest kid, often the initiator of any ruckus. Grandpa Jim enjoyed attending the grandkids' activities and was always their number one fan. Jim retired from John Deere in 2001 after 41 years, working his way up to a supervisor position. He developed many long lasting friendships through his witty, fun loving personality. There were always many stories to be told where "Big Mac" was involved. For many years, Jim enjoyed volunteering to set up the Christmas lights at Murphy Park for Hillcrest Family Services. His favorite past time was solving the world's problems with his coffee buddies. Jim was an old car enthusiast and especially loved his 61 T-bird. After retiring, he developed a passion for woodworking and spent many hours in his workshop. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan, as many of his friends and co-workers can attest to. Jim was also a member of the Moose Lodge #355 of Dubuque, and Resurrection Parish.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gladys, his two daughters and three sons; Kelly (Ron) Mussehl, Carey (Larry) Schilling, Jay (Jean) McDonald, Mark McDonald (friend Robin), Todd (Tara) McDonald, his ten grandchildren; Erin (Shaun) Cavanaugh, Dillon Hefel (friend Catie), Amy Mussehl (fiancé Dan Schroeder), Tyler Mussehl, Mallory McDonald, Molly McDonald, Kaitlyn McDonald, Meghan McDonald, Nolan Jacobson, and Hailey Schilling, one special great grandchild; James Cavanaugh, his sister and brother in-law Joan (Robert) Blocker, numerous in-laws; Jean (Dennis) Funke, Robert (Betty) Leibfried, Gary (Linda) Leibfried, Tom (Judy) Leibfried, Mary Jo (Brad) Birkett, Donna Leibfried, Linda (Jim) McCarthy, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Clayton and Ruth McDonald, his father and mother in-law; James and Bertilla Leibfried, his sister and brother in-law Jean (Vince) Furlong, and brother in-law John Leibfried.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund will be established. Special thanks to Dr. Liaboe and his nurse Trish, The Wendt Center, Hospice of Dubuque, No Place Like Home, and all other care-givers for Jim.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hskfh.com