Francis McDonald, 30 Jan 1936 - 18 Jun 2016

MCDONALD, ANDES, GENT, MCMANAMON, LANG, WELCH, BECK, YATES, DRISCOLL

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 7/5/2016 at 15:27:57

Obituary for Frank McDonald
January 30, 1936 - June 18, 2016

Francis “Frank” McDonald, 80, of Cedar Rapids, died on Saturday, June 18, 2016, at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. Visitation: 4 - 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a rosary and vigil service beginning at 6:30 p.m. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2016, at All Saints Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by Rev. John R. Flaherty, with a visitation also one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial: 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday at St. Patrick Little Creek Cemetery, rural Kinross, Iowa.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Pauline; daughters, Jennifer (Tim) McManamon of Moorhead, Minnesota, Mary (Lee) Lang of Robins, Carmen (Steve) Welch of Cedar Rapids; son, Martin (Heather) of Waterloo; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Jonathan) Beck, Maria, Ted, Greg and Rob Welch, Kellen, Mary Cait, Bridget McManamon, and Nick and Brian Lang; sisters, Peg (Don) Yates of Sigourney, Rita (Elliott) Driscoll of Williamsburg, brother, Lawrence McDonald of Independence; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Frank was born in Parnell, Iowa, to Helen [Andes] and Martin McDonald. After graduating from Parnell High School, he served in the Army, stationed in Greenland. He lived in Iowa City and worked at the University of Iowa. He married Pauline Gent at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Kinross on April 15, 1961. He worked in Amana; and in 1969, Frank and Pauline moved with their four children to Cedar Rapids, where he worked at Ilten's for 30 years. Since 1968, Frank was a member of the United Association Local 125 as a pipefitter refrigeration worker and then retiree. He was a faithful and active member of All Saints Catholic Church, where he enjoyed ushering for many years.

Frank was involved in the Cadets of St. George. Frank had fond memories of coaching girls basketball at All Saints, he looked forward to attending events his grandchildren were involved in, and walking five miles outside each morning--even in the winter. He liked to drop a line in the water every once in a while, and enjoyed fishing trips in the last few years. Frank and Pit are fishing in heaven right now and having a blast.

Frank will be remembered for his generosity with his time, his quick wit, and that ornery sparkle in his eye.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Frank's name to All Saints Catholic Church or Camp Courageous.

Stewart Baxter Funeral Home
The Journal Tribune, 29 Jun 2016, pg 5
The Gazette 21 Jun 2016, 10a [abbreviated]